1. Raise the Vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting

1.  Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.

2.  Place jack or utility stands, such as GMDE 123B67313, at the rear end of the vehicle.

3.  Remove the front differential carrier assembly shield, if equipped.

4.  Drain the differential carrier assembly.

5.  Disconnect the front propeller shaft from the differential carrier assembly.

6.  Disconnect the idler arm from the relay rod.

7.  Disconnect the pitman arm from the relay rod.

8.  Move the relay rod forward towards the front of vehicle in order to provide clearance.

9.  Remove the stabilizer shaft link assembly, both sides.

10.  Attach a transmission jack to the differential carrier assembly.

11.  Remove the wheel drive shaft inboard flange bolts from the inner axle shaft, both sides. Disconnect the wheel drive shaft from the inner axle shaft, both sides.

12.  Disconnect the electrical connector from the front axle actuator, S4WD axle only.

13.  Disconnect the wire harness from the inner axle shaft housing, S4WD axle only.

14.  Disconnect the wire harness from the differential carrier assembly, S4WD axle only.

15.  Disconnect the vent hose from the differential carrier assembly.

16.  Remove the inner axle housing nuts and washers from the bracket.

17.  Remove the differential carrier assembly lower mounting bolt and the nut.

18.  Remove the differential carrier assembly upper mounting bolt and the nut.

19.  Remove the differential carrier assembly.

Installation Procedure

1.  Install the differential carrier assembly.

2.  Install the differential carrier assembly upper mounting bolt and the nut. Do not tighten the bolt at this time.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

3.  Install the differential carrier assembly lower mounting bolt and the nut.

·  Tighten the upper and the lower differential carrier assembly bolts to 100 Nm (75 lb ft) .

4.  Install the inner axle housing washers and nuts to the bracket.

·  Tighten the bolts to 100 Nm (75 lb ft) .

5.  Connect the vent hose to the differential carrier assembly.

6.  Remove the transmission jack.

7.  Connect the wire harness to the differential carrier assembly, S4WD axle only.

8.  Connect the wire harness to the inner axle shaft housing, S4WD axle only.

9.  Connect the electrical connector to the front axle actuator, S4WD axle only.

10.  Install the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to inner axle shaft bolts, both sides.

·  Tighten the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to inner axle shaft bolts to 79 Nm (58 lb ft) .

11.  Install the pitman arm to the relay rod.

12.  Install the idler arm to the relay rod.

13.  Install the stabilizer link assembly, both sides.

14.  Install the front propeller shaft to the differential carrier assembly.

15.  Fill the differential carrier assembly. Use the proper fluid.

16.  Install the front differential carrier assembly shield, if equipped.

17.  Remove the utility stands.