Ring Gear: Service and Repair

Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement

Tools Required
^ J22536 Pinion Driver

Removal Procedure
1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies.
3. Remove the brake calipers.
4. Remove the brake rotors.
5. Remove the axle shafts.
6. Remove the differential assembly.
7. Remove the drive pinion flange/yoke and the oil seal.





8. Install the J22536 as shown.
Ensure that the J22536 is firmly seated on the pinion.
9. Drive the pinion out using the J22536 and a hammer.
Strike the J22536 slowly. Do not let the pinion fall out of the rear axle housing.
10. Remove the collapsible spacer from the pinion. Discard the spacer.





11. Remove the pinion bearings and the cups.





Important: The ring gear bolts have left-hand threads.

12. Remove the ring gear bolts. Discard the bolts.





13. Remove the ring gear from the differential case.
Drive the ring gear off with a brass drift if necessary.

Installation Procedure





Important: The mating surface of the ring gear and the differential case must be clean and free of burrs before installing the ring gear.

1. Install the ring gear onto the differential case.





Important: The ring gear bolts have left-hand threads.

2. Install the new ring gear bolts.
Hand start each bolt to ensure that the ring gear is properly installed to the differential case.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

3. Tighten the ring gear bolts. Tighten the ring gear bolts alternately and in stages, gradually pulling the ring gear onto the differential case.
Tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 120 Nm (89 ft. lbs.).
4. Install the pinion bearing cups.
5. Determine the selective shim thickness for the pinion gear.
6. Install the selective shim onto the pinion.
7. Install the inner pinion bearing to the pinion.
8. Install a new collapsible spacer.
9. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant.
10. Install the pinion to the axle housing.
11. Install the outer pinion bearing.
12. Install a new pinion oil seal and the pinion yoke.
13. Install the differential assembly.
14. Perform a gear tooth contact pattern check on the pinion and the ring gear.
15. Install the axle shafts.
16. Install the brake rotors.
17. Install the brake calipers.
18. Install the tire and wheel assemblies.
19. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid.
20. Lower the vehicle.