Buick Encore: Repair instructions

Rear wheel drive module differential clutch control module replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .

NOTE: The propeller shaft does not have to be removed from this vehicle to replace rear differential module (RDM).

2. Remove the propeller shaft from the rear differential and re-locate to side.

Fig. 3: Wiring Harness And Retainers

3. Remove the electrical connector (3).
4. Remove the wiring harness from retainers (1) and (2).

Fig. 4: Differential Clutch Control Module Shield

5. Remove the retaining screws (4), retaining nut (3), and the shield (2) from the differential clutch control module (1).

Fig. 5: Electrical Tie

6. Using the appropriate tool, remove the electrical tie (1).

Fig. 6: Differential Clutch Control Module

7. Remove the mounting screws (1) from the differential clutch control module (2).
8. Remove the electrical connector (3).
9. Remove the differential clutch control module (2).

Installation Procedure

Fig. 7: Differential Clutch Control Module

1. Position the differential clutch control module (2) on the differential carrier.
2. Install the mounting screws (1) to the differential carrier and tighten to 22 (16 lb ft).
3. Connect the electrical connector (3) to the differential carrier.

Fig. 8: Electrical Tie

4. Secure the differential control module to the differential clutch using the electrical tie (1).

Fig. 9: Wiring Harness And Retainers

5. Connect the electrical connector (3).
6. Install the wiring harness retainers (2) and (1) to the differential clutch control module.

Fig. 10: Differential Clutch Control Module Shield

7. Position the shield (2) on the differential clutch control module (1).
8. Install the 2 mounting screws (4) and tighten to 11 (97 lb in).
9. Install the mounting nut (3) and tighten to 10 (89 lb in).
10. Install the propeller shaft to the rear differential.
11. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
12. Reprogram the differential clutch control module. Refer to Rear Differential Clutch Control Module Programming and Setup .

REAR AXLE LUBRICANT LEVEL INSPECTION

Fig. 11: Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection Plug

Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection

DIFFERENTIAL OIL REPLACEMENT

Fig. 12: Differential Oil Drain Plug

Differential Oil Replacement

DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER BUSHING REPLACEMENT - REAR

Fig. 13: Differential Carrier Bushing - Rear

Differential Carrier Bushing Replacement - Rear

Rear axle shaft replacement

Special Tools

• J-2619-01 Slide Hammer
• J-45019 Flange Remover

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools .

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
2. Remove the wheel drive shaft. Refer to Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .

Fig. 14: Special Tool

NOTE: Remove and discard the retaining ring from the rear axle. Replace with NEW only.

3. Using the J-2619-01 hammer and the J-45019 remover (2), remove the rear axle shaft (1).
4. Remove the J-2619-01 hammer and the J-45019 remover (2) from the rear axle shaft (1).

Installation Procedure

Fig. 15: Retaining Ring

1. Position the rear axle with the NEW retaining ring in the rear differential.
2. Using a suitable hammer, lightly tap the rear axle (1) until it locks into place.
3. Install the rear wheel drive shaft. Refer to Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
4. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

REAR AXLE SHAFT SEAL REPLACEMENT

Special Tools

• EN-45000 Seal Remover
• J-44809 Seal Installer

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools .

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
2. Remove the rear axle shaft. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement.

Fig. 16: Seal Removal Tool

3. Using the EN-45000 seal remover (2), remove the rear axle shaft seal (1).

Installation Procedure

Fig. 17: Rear Axle Seal

1. Position the rear axle seal (1) in the rear differential carrier (2).

Fig. 18: Rear Axle Seal And Special Tool

2. Using the J-44809 installer (1), install the rear axle seal.
3. Install the rear axle shaft. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement.
4. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

Differential carrier assembly replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
2. Drain the rear differential carrier. Refer to Differential Oil Replacement .
3. Disconnect the propeller shaft from the rear differential and relocate to the side. Refer to Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement .

Fig. 19: Wiring Harness And Retainers

4. Remove the electrical harness connector (3).
5. Disconnect the rear wheel drive shafts from the rear differential and re-locate to the side. Refer to Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .

Fig. 20: Jack Stand And Rear Differential

NOTE: Ensure that the rear differential assembly is securely tie to the jack stand.

6. Support the rear differential (1) with a suitable transmission jack stand (2).

Fig. 21: Rear Differential Support Mounting Bolts

7. Remove the 2 rear differential support mounting bolts (1).

Fig. 22: Rear Differential Support Mounting

8. Using a bright colored paint, mark the outline (1) of the front rear differential mounting on the body to properly align the mounting to the painted outline for installation.

Fig. 23: Rear Differential Mounting Bolt

9. Remove the front rear differential mounting bolt (1).

Fig. 24: Rear Differential Assembly And Jack Stand

10. Using the transmission jack stand (2), remove the rear differential assembly (1) from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure

Fig. 25: Rear Differential Assembly And Jack Stand

1. Using the transmission jack stand (2), lift the rear differential assembly (1) into position.
2. Install and hand tighten the 3 mounting bolts.

Fig. 26: Rear Differential Support Mounting

3. Align the front rear differential mounting to the painted outline (1) on the body.

Fig. 27: Rear Differential Support Mounting Bolts

CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution .

4. Install the 2 rear mounting bolts (1) and tighten to 108 (80 lb ft).

Fig. 28: Rear Differential Mounting Bolt

5. Install the front mounting bolt (1) and tighten to 100 (74 lb ft).

Fig. 29: Jack Stand And Rear Differential

6. Remove the transmission jack stand (2) from the rear differential assembly (1).

Fig. 30: Wiring Harness And Retainers

7. Reconnect the electrical harness connector (3).
8. Install the propeller shaft to the rear differential assembly. Refer to Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement .
9. Install the rear wheel drive shafts to the rear differential. Refer to Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
10. Refill the rear differential assembly. Refer to Differential Oil Replacement.
11. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

Differential clutch replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .

NOTE: Support the propeller shaft with mechanics wire.

2. Remove the propeller shaft from the differential carrier and relocate to the side. Refer to Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
3. Remove the differential clutch control module. Refer to Rear Wheel Drive Module Differential Clutch Control Module Replacement

Fig. 31: Differential Clutch Mounting Bolts

4. Remove the 4 differential clutch mounting bolts (1).

Fig. 32: Separating Differential Clutch

5. Using the screw driver (2) in the 3 locations a, b and c to separate the differential clutch (1) from the differential carrier (3).

Fig. 33: Differential Clutch And Differential Carrier

6. Remove the differential clutch (2) from the differential carrier (1).

Fig. 34: Differential Clutch O-Ring

7. Remove and discard the differential clutch O-ring (1).

Installation Procedure

Fig. 35: Differential Clutch O-Ring

1. Install the NEW differential clutch O-ring (1).

Fig. 36: Differential Clutch And Differential Carrier

NOTE: Ensure that the rear wheel drive module differential clutch control module is on the left side of the differential carrier.

2. Position the differential clutch (2) on the differential carrier (1).

Fig. 37: Differential Clutch Mounting Bolts

3. Install the 4 differential clutch mounting bolts (1).

Fig. 38: Differential Clutch Bolt Tightening Sequence

4. Tighten the differential clutch bolts in a cross pattern (1), (2), (3) and (4).

Fig. 39: Tightening Differential Clutch Bolts

CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution .

5. Using the proper size Torx bit and extension (2) and torque wrench (1), tighten the 4 differential clutch bolts (3) to 40 (30 lb ft).
6. Install the differential clutch control module. Refer to Rear Wheel Drive Module Differential Clutch Control Module Replacement
7. Install the propeller shaft to the differential carrier. Refer to Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
8. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

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