Rear Axle Replacement

Rear Axle Replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
2. Drain the rear axle. Refer to Differential Oil Replacement (Rear Drive Axle).




3. Remove the propeller shaft. Refer to Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement (Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement).




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





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

5. Remove the park brake cables from the actuators. Left side shown, right side similar.

* For the left brake cable, refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side).
* For the right park brake cable, refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side).




6. Remove the sway bar link from the frame. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (Rear Suspension).




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 line.
10. Remove the brake hoses from the brake pipes.




11. Remove the rear speed sensors retaining clips from 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.

1. Remove the shackle bolt and nut.
2. Lower the leaf spring to allow enough clearance to remove of the rear drive axle.
3. Support the leafs springs with jack stands.




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

Installation Procedure




1. Using a transmission jack stand, and the aid of an assistant, position the read drive axle over the rear leaf springs.





Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

2. Install the rear leaf spring shackles.

Tighten the shackle bolt and nut to 85 Nm (63 lb ft).

3. Remove the jack stands.




4. Position the U-bolts on the rear axle housing.
5. Position the anchor plates on the leaf springs.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

6. Install the U-bolt nuts.

Tighten the nuts to 76 Nm (56 lb ft).

7. Install the bottom shock absorber nut and bolt.

Tighten the nuts to 95 Nm (70 lb ft).





Note: Always use a backup wrench when tightening the brake pipes.

8. Install the brake pipes.

Tighten the brake lines to 19 Nm (14 lb ft).

9. Install the retaining clips for the brake line.




10. Install the retaining bolts for the park brake cables at the rear leaf springs.

Tighten the nuts to 20 Nm (15 lb ft).




11. Install the rear speed sensors retainers in the frame. Refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement (Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement).
12. Reconnect the speed sensor electrical connector.




13. Install the vent hose on the axle housing.




14. Reconnect the electrical connector for the electronic locking differential, if equipped.




15. Install the sway bar link to the frame. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (Rear Suspension).
16. Install the propeller shaft. Refer to Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement (Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement).
17. Fill the rear axle housing with fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection (Rear Drive Axle).
18. Remove the support stands.
19. Lower the vehicle.