GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Cadillac 🢒 2000 🢒 Catera 🢒 Driveline/Axle 🢒 Rear Drive Axle 🢒 Rear Axle Disassemble

Tools Required

    • J 42177 Holding Fixture
    • J 3289-20 Holding Fixture-Bench Mounted
    • J 42149 Side Bearing Preload Clamp Plate
    • J 42143 Side Bearing Preload Clamp
    • J 26234 Drive Axle Seal Driver
  1. Use the differential bearing bracket bolts to install the J 42177 to the differential.

    2. Tighten
    Tighten the differential bearing bracket bolts until fully seated and not stripped.

  2. Mount the differential into the J 3289-20 .

    3. Object Number: 218644 Size: SH
  3. Remove the rear axle housing cover bolts (1).
  4. Remove the rear axle housing cover.
  5. Use a suitable prybar to remove the drive axle seals from the differential.

    6. Important: Take care not to damage the differential housing or to damage the differential carrier side bearing outer race. Damage to the differential housing or damage to the differential carrier side bearing outer race may result in leaks upon reassembly.


    Object Number: 218734 Size: SH
  6. Use the rear axle housing cover bolts to install the J 42143 to the right side of the differential.

    7. Tighten
    Tighten the rear axle housing cover bolts until seated. Do not strip the rear axle housing cover bolts.

  7. Install the J 42143 to the right differential side bearing outer race.
  8. Tighten the clamp onto the J 42149 .

    9. Important: Tighten the clamp only enough to relieve a significant amount of bearing preload from the snap ring. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. Once the clamp starts to flex the majority of the preload has been relieved.

  9. Use a hammer and a drift to rotate the differential adjuster ring so that the ring opening is accessible.

    10. Object Number: 218736 Size: SH
  10. Use heavy duty snap ring pliers to remove the adjuster ring from the right bearing bore.
  11. Remove the J 42149 .
  12. Remove the J 42143 .

    13. Object Number: 218740 Size: SH
  13. Use heavy duty snap ring pliers to remove the adjuster ring (2) from the left side of the differential.

    14. Object Number: 218743 Size: SH
  14. Use a rubber-faced mallet and a piece of wood to drive out the right differential side bearing outer race from the cover opening of the differential.
  15. Remove the differential side bearing seal.
  16. LIGHTLY tap the carrier through the right side bearing bore using a rubber mallet and using a piece of wood to drive the left differential side bearing outer race out of the housing.

    17. Important: Do not mix the right and the lift side bearing races.

  17. Remove the differential carrier from the differential housing.
  18. Remove the differential drive pinion gear. Refer to Drive Pinion Disassemble .
  19. Remove the differential drive pinion seal.
  20. Remove the differential drive pinion gear outer bearing race.
  21. Remove the inner pinion bearing outer race.