Hummer H2. Manual - part 986

Fig. 134: Install Inner Axle Shaft Into Inner Axle Shaft Housing 
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP. 

19. Install the inner axle shaft into the inner axle shaft housing. 

Carefully tap the inner axle shaft into place with a soft-faced mallet. 

20. Apply sealant to the inner axle housing to differential carrier sealing surface. Use the correct sealer. Refer 

to Sealers, Adhesives, and Lubricants . 

Fig. 135: Inner Axle Housing & Inner Axle Shaft

 

2004 Hummer H2 

2004 DRIVELINE/AXLE Front Drive Axle - Hummer H2

  

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

21. Install the inner axle shaft housing to the differential carrier case. 

Fig. 136: Inner Axle Shaft Housing & Differential Carrier Assembly Bolts 
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP. 

22. Install the inner axle shaft housing bolts. 

Tighten: Tighten the inner axle shaft housing bolts to 40 N.m (30 lb ft). 

23. Install the drain plug and the washer. 

Tighten: Tighten the drain plug to 33 N.m (24 lb ft). 

24. Fill the differential carrier assembly with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Lubricant 

Replacement - Front Drive Axle .  

NOTE:

Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

 

2004 Hummer H2 

2004 DRIVELINE/AXLE Front Drive Axle - Hummer H2

  

25. Install the fill plug and the washer. 

Tighten: Tighten the fill plug to 33 N.m (24 lb ft). 

GEAR TOOTH CONTACT PATTERN INSPECTION 

The contact pattern check is not a substitute for adjusting the pinion depth and backlash. Use this method in 
order to verify the correct running position of the ring gear and the drive pinion. Gear sets which are not 
positioned properly may be noisy and/or have a short life. A pattern check ensures the best contact between the 
ring gear and the drive pinion for low noise and long life. 

Gear Tooth Nomenclature 

Fig. 137: Gear Tooth Nomenclature 
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

 

2004 Hummer H2 

2004 DRIVELINE/AXLE Front Drive Axle - Hummer H2

  

The side of the ring gear tooth which curves outward, or is convex, is the drive side (4). The concave side is the 
coast side (3). The end of the tooth nearest the center of the ring gear is the toe end (2). The end of the tooth 
farthest away from the center is the heel end (1). 

Adjustments Affecting Tooth Contact 

The following 2 adjustments affect the tooth contact pattern: 

z

Backlash adjustment  

z

Pinion depth adjustment  

The effects of bearing preloads are not readily apparent on hand-loaded tooth contact pattern tests. However, 
bearing preloads should be within specifications before proceeding with backlash and pinion depth adjustments.

Pinion Depth Adjustment 

Adjust the position of the pinion by increasing or decreasing the distance between the pinion head and the 
centerline of the ring gear. Decreasing the distance moves the pinion closer to the centerline of the ring gear. 
Increasing the distance moves the pinion farther away from the centerline of the ring gear. 

Backlash Adjustment 

Adjust the backlash by means of moving the side bearing adjuster sleeves which move the case and ring gear 
assembly closer to or farther from the pinion. Also use the adjuster sleeves in order to set the side bearing 
preload. 

z

If the left side adjuster sleeve is moved in, along with an equal outward movement of the right side 
adjuster, the backlash will increase.  

z

If the left side adjuster sleeve is moved out, along with an equal inward movement of the right side 
adjuster, the backlash will decrease.  

Testing Procedure 

1. Wipe clean the differential case, the ring gear and the differential carrier housing of lubricant. Carefully 

clean each tooth of the ring gear. 

 

2004 Hummer H2 

2004 DRIVELINE/AXLE Front Drive Axle - Hummer H2