C 1500 Suburban 2WD V8-5.7L VIN R (1996)
in any way. Remove parts needing replacement with suitable puller or in a press with sleeves. Avoid the use of drifts and hammers as they may easily
mutilate or distort component parts.
Ring gear and pinion are a matched set and must be replaced as an assembly. Both ring gear and pinion in a replacement set have a matching
mark such as ``M29'' or a similar letter/number combination. On the ring gear, matching numbers can be found on the front face of the gear or
on the machined outer diameter. On the pinion, matching marks are usually found on the pinion face. However, on pinions with parallel sided
splines, the number may be marked on the top flat or one of the splines. Do not install a ring gear and pinion assembly if the matching marks
are not the same.
Fig. 6 Pinion Code & Matching Mark Identification
Fig. 7 Pinion Shim Pack Thickness Chart
In addition, each pinion has a Pinion Code (P.C.) Variation Number which indicates variations in thousandths of an inch from the nominal pinion
depth setting. This number must be used to modify the Nominal Pinion Gauging Number when calculating shim pack thickness to set pinion depth. This
variation number is stamped as either a plus (+) or minus (-) value, and is located adjacent to the matching number,
Fig. 6.
When a new pinion is installed, shim pack thickness can be determined using the pinion code numbers and chart,
Fig. 7.
Overhaul
DISASSEMBLE
1. If original matching marks are not clear, scribe matching marks between differential case halves to aid assembling.
2. Remove differential case bolts, noting position for assembling, then separate case halves.
3. Remove differential pinion spider, along with pinions and thrust washers, keeping components in order.
4. Remove side gear and thrust washer from each case half.
5. Remove case side bearings, as needed, using suitable puller.
6. If ring gear is to be replaced, proceed as follows:
a. Carefully center punch center of each rivet head.
