Pontiac Repair: 2002 Pontiac firebird rear axle shaft removal, rear disc brakes, rear axle shaft

Question
I am trying to replace the rear wheel bearing in a 2002 Pontiac Firebird 6 cdr manual Trans coupe rear disc brakes. The Haynes manual covers 93-02 but is very vague in this area. It says to remove the lock bolt (which I cannot locate), and remove the differential pinion gear shaft. not sure if this is correct for the 02..

Answer
Hi Will:

Yes that's right all of the newer differentials on those "F" body cars come apart the same way. you have to remove the differential cover and turn the drive shaft until the ring gear and cas assembly turn around until you can gain access to the bolt that holds the pinion  side gears pin in place. it's a 8MM head on the bolt. Use a 6 point combination wrench to loosen it up. when you get the bolt out slide the pin out and then press in on the axle shaft and the "C" retaining clip will fall out then you can slide the axle out of the tube and remove the grease seal and use a slide hammer to remove the axle bearing. when you pull out the axle shaft do not rotate it. The pinion gears will rotate inside the case and fall out and they suck to get all lined back up again. once the axle it out just slide the pin back into place to hold all the gears until you slide the axle back in. Just a quick time saver tip! Good luck:)