2004 gmc sierra rear differential

Remove cover.take off back wheels and calipers (or drums).turn differential to where you see small bolt/pin (5/16) horizontally (same direction as axles)on right side of differential.remove bolt/pin.A large pin (about 5"long 3/4"diameter) should slide out differential with ease ( you may have to tap one side of the large pin).turn differential to completely remove large pin.turn differential so you can see in the view window.push each axles in (they'll go in about 1 1/2"each) You may hear one of the axle C-clips fall.If not use a small telescoping magnet to remove the C-clips from the axles through the differential window.pull each axle out about 10"so they are out of the diff.Now remove the cap bolts(4-5/8"bolts) and remove the caps(mark the caps so they go in excactly the way they came out.be careful the diff might fall out.If not you may have to use a long bar or 2x4 to wedge and pry the differential out. Have a basket/crate w/rags in it to catch the diff.TIP:If you are removing the ring gear from the diff, the bolts are left handed bolts meaning you have to turn them clockwise to loosen and counter clockwise to tighten ; )