Differential Replacement

Differential Replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. refer to vehicle lifting.
2. Drain the rear axle.




3. Remove the propeller shaft.




4. Remove the retaining bolt for the park brake cables at the leaf springs.





Important: In the following service procedure, just remove the park brakes from the actuators. The entire park brake cables DO NOT have to be removed.

5. Remove the park brake cables from the actuators.
^ For the left park brake cable, refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side.
^ For the right park brake cable, refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side.




6. Remove the sway bar link from the frame.




7. Remove the vent hose from the axle housing.




8. Disconnect the electrical connector for the electronic locking differential, if equipped.




9. Remove the retaining clips for the brake lines.

Important: Always use a back up wrench on the brake pipe fittings when removing or installing the brake pipes.

10. Remove the brake hoses from the brake pipes.




11. Remove the rear speed sensor retaining clips from the frame.
12. Disconnect the rear speed sensors.
13. Support the rear drive axle with a transmission jack stand.




14. Remove the lower shock absorber mounting bolts.




15. Remove the U-bolt nuts.
16. Remove the U-bolts from the rear axle housing.
17. Remove the anchor plate.




18. Remove the rear leaf spring shackles.
^ Remove the shackle bolt and nut.
^ Lower the leaf spring to allow enough clearance to remove the rear drive axle.
^ Support the leaf springs with jack stands.




19. With the aid of an assistant and using a transmission jack stand, remove the rear drive axle assembly from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure




1. With the aid of an assistant and using a transmission jack stand, install the rear drive axle assembly in the vehicle.
2. With the aid of an assistant and using a transmission jack stand, install the rear drive axle assembly in the vehicle.





Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice.

3. Install the leaf spring shackles.

Tighten the shackle bolts and nuts to 85 N.m (63 lb ft).

4. Remove the jack stands.




5. Position the U-bolts on the rear axle housing.
6. Position the anchor plates on the leaf springs.
7. Install the U-nuts.

Tighten the nuts 76 N.m (56 lb ft).

8. Install the bottom shock absorber nut and bolt.

Tighten the nuts 95 N.m (70 lb ft).





Important: Always use a back up wrench when tightening the brake pipes.

9. Install the brake pipes.

Tighten the fitting to 19 N.m (14 lb ft).

10. Install the retaining clips for the brake pipes.




11. Install the retaining clips for the park brake cables at the rear leaf spring.

Tighten the nuts to 20 N.m (15 lb ft).




12. Install the rear speed sensors retainers in the frame.
13. Reconnect the speed sensor electrical connector.




14. Install the vent hose on the axle housing.




15. Reconnect the electrical connector for the electronic locking differential, if equipped.
16. Install the propeller shaft.
17. Fill the rear axle housing with fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection.
18. Remove the support stands.
19. Lower the vehicle.