GMC 1990 Light Truck Repair Manual page 163

NOTICE: Do not pry the ring gear from the case.
This w ill damage the ring gear and the
differential case.
15. Ring gear (15) from the differential.
• Drive the ring gear off with a brass drift if
necessary.
I? Inspect
• Drive pinion bearing preload (figure 4).
• Pinion assembly for looseness by moving it
back and fo rth . (Looseness indica tes
excessive bearing wear).
16. Pinion flange nut (6) and washer (7) using J 8614-01
to hold the pinion flange (figure 5).
17. Pinion flange using J 8614-01 (figure 6).
18. Pinion (15) from the axle housing.
• Thread the pinion nut halfway onto the pinion.
• Replace the differential cover (34) with two
bolts (35) to keep the pinion from falling to the
floor.
Figure 3—Removing Differential Side Bearings
9V2-INCH RING GEAR 4B3-3
Figure 6—Removing the Pinion Flange