Removal Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Pontiac Aztek and 2004 Buick Rendezvous. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Raise and support the vehicle.
Position a jack stand under the front of the rear differential and firmly secure the differential to the jack.
Remove the front propeller shaft. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.

Fig 1: Torque Tube And Components

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Remove the bolts (5) from the torque tube bracket (4).
Loosen, but do not remove, the torque tube-to-bracket through bolt (7) and nut (1).

Fig 2: Identifying Torque Tube-To-Differential Bolts

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Remove the torque tube-to-differential bolts (1).

Fig 3: View Of Torque Tube & Differential Pinion Shaft

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Pull the torque tube (1) toward the front of the vehicle in order to disengage the torque tube from the differential pinion shaft.
Remove the torque tube from the differential (2).

Fig 4: View Of Drive Pinion Housing Oil Seal

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IMPORTANT: The drive pinion oil seal must be replaced whenever the torque tube is removed.

Remove the oil seal (1) from the drive pinion housing and discard.