The Rear Axles are held in with simple, robust Stamped Metal "C" Clips that can be accessed after removing the Rear Cover and Draining and Flushing out EVERYTHING inside of the Differential Case. Be prepared to have the Permatex RTV and Mobil1 75W-90 Weight Gear Oil AND the Anti-Slip additive if your Service Manual requires it, (See @Mooseman's Signature to Download the GM Factory Manual for your SUV). If you intend on doing this work and have the Skill Set of a Good Mechanic... You should be Okay.
Besides having to remove your Rear Brakes and Calipers-Brackets to get to access to the Naked Rear Axle and Stud Plate... you MUST first ensure that you HAVE ENOUGH LATERAL ROOM TO COMPLETELY REMOVE THE AXLES FROM EITHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.
If you make the mistake of parking in your Garage without calculating just how much room you will need... You'll have to RE-ASSEMBLE EVERYTHING and later park where you WILL have enough ROOM to do the entire Job.
After you remove the Center Axle Cross-Pin- Retention Bolt ...Do NOT re-use it! The Bolt is NOT that expensive and neither are a pair of Dorman Copper Clad "C" Axle Retention Washers-Clips. Once that Differential Cross-Pin slides out... You WILL have to PUSH the Outer Wheel INWARDS in order to slide the Axles INWARD and relieve the lock-points of those "C" Clips from where they remain tucked underneath the Inner Axle Housing. WATCH YOUR FINGERS! Using a Strong Neodymium Telescoping Magnet with an End that is around the size of a "Buffalo Nickel" will be a HUGE Help when manipulating these oddly shaped parts and components around inside of the cramped Diff-Case. Here is where to obtain the "C" Clips:
You will require a Slide-Hammer and a Roller Bearing Inside Puller Tool that you can Rent from Autozone if you don't want to purchase your own. Be thoughtful and careful and Try NOT to Yank things in or out when around those Gears inside the Differential Housing. Replace ANYTHING that looks Chipped or Damaged. When performing the Re-Assembly... SLOWLY Rotate the Gears inside of the Diff-Case by using the Temporarily Re-Installed Tire-Wheel from underneath with your free hand to align things inside of the Differential... and KEEP Your Fingers on the OTHER Hand FREE AND CLEAR OF THOSE GEARS.
THIS is a Pretty Damned Good Video that covers the FULL Axle Roller Bearings R&R. Plan Well... work CAREFULLY and DO NOT LOSE YOUR MIND if the Spider Gears & Concave Washers around them FALL OUT and try to Knock Out Your Front Teeth! They are Heavy, Gnarly Gears that will SURPRISE you by suddenly Flying OUT of the Case if you are NOT Paying Attention to what is happening. So, Protect your Face and Eyes and Hands-Fingers!
One Last Warning!
Do NOT Let any Dawdlers or Gawkers Hang Around near you when you're working away under the vehicle that is Stupid Enough to want to Lean over to See what you are doing... and after placing his hand on the Wheel to get his balance, he allows the Tire to 'accidentally' and suddenly Spin Around... and Winds up Cutting Off Your Fingers! Send him out for Beer and Pizza over on the Other Side of The State if he won't leave you alone!
Besides having to remove your Rear Brakes and Calipers-Brackets to get to access to the Naked Rear Axle and Stud Plate... you MUST first ensure that you HAVE ENOUGH LATERAL ROOM TO COMPLETELY REMOVE THE AXLES FROM EITHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.
If you make the mistake of parking in your Garage without calculating just how much room you will need... You'll have to RE-ASSEMBLE EVERYTHING and later park where you WILL have enough ROOM to do the entire Job.
After you remove the Center Axle Cross-Pin- Retention Bolt ...Do NOT re-use it! The Bolt is NOT that expensive and neither are a pair of Dorman Copper Clad "C" Axle Retention Washers-Clips. Once that Differential Cross-Pin slides out... You WILL have to PUSH the Outer Wheel INWARDS in order to slide the Axles INWARD and relieve the lock-points of those "C" Clips from where they remain tucked underneath the Inner Axle Housing. WATCH YOUR FINGERS! Using a Strong Neodymium Telescoping Magnet with an End that is around the size of a "Buffalo Nickel" will be a HUGE Help when manipulating these oddly shaped parts and components around inside of the cramped Diff-Case. Here is where to obtain the "C" Clips:
Amazon.com: Dorman 81050 Axle Shaft Lock C-Clip Assortment: Automotive
Buy Dorman 81050 Axle Shaft Lock C-Clip Assortment: Axle Shaft - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
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You will require a Slide-Hammer and a Roller Bearing Inside Puller Tool that you can Rent from Autozone if you don't want to purchase your own. Be thoughtful and careful and Try NOT to Yank things in or out when around those Gears inside the Differential Housing. Replace ANYTHING that looks Chipped or Damaged. When performing the Re-Assembly... SLOWLY Rotate the Gears inside of the Diff-Case by using the Temporarily Re-Installed Tire-Wheel from underneath with your free hand to align things inside of the Differential... and KEEP Your Fingers on the OTHER Hand FREE AND CLEAR OF THOSE GEARS.
THIS is a Pretty Damned Good Video that covers the FULL Axle Roller Bearings R&R. Plan Well... work CAREFULLY and DO NOT LOSE YOUR MIND if the Spider Gears & Concave Washers around them FALL OUT and try to Knock Out Your Front Teeth! They are Heavy, Gnarly Gears that will SURPRISE you by suddenly Flying OUT of the Case if you are NOT Paying Attention to what is happening. So, Protect your Face and Eyes and Hands-Fingers!
One Last Warning!
Do NOT Let any Dawdlers or Gawkers Hang Around near you when you're working away under the vehicle that is Stupid Enough to want to Lean over to See what you are doing... and after placing his hand on the Wheel to get his balance, he allows the Tire to 'accidentally' and suddenly Spin Around... and Winds up Cutting Off Your Fingers! Send him out for Beer and Pizza over on the Other Side of The State if he won't leave you alone!
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