Removal/Installation

Remove rear axle assembly to a suitable workbench to conduct all axle repairs. Any time a U-joint attaching bolt is loosened and removed, Loctite 242 or equivalent, must be applied to the attaching bolts prior to installation.
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Raise and support vehicle, then position safety stands under the rear axle assembly.
3. Disconnect and remove exhaust system components from catalytic converter to rear of vehicle.
4. Remove rear U-joints bolts and caps retaining driveshaft from torque tube yoke flange. Lower driveshaft.
5. Remove four attaching bolts from torque tube support bracket.
6. Remove axle attaching bolt from lefthand differential support bracket.
7. Remove axle attaching bolt from center differential support bracket.
8. Lower axle assembly and remove inboard U-joint attaching bolts and caps from each half shaft. Remove and wire half shaft assemblies aside.
9. Reverse procedure to install. Torque inboard U-joint cap attaching nuts to 15-17 ft. lbs. Torque differential housing to left hand and center differential support bracket attaching bolts to 70-80 ft. lbs. Torque mounting bracket and torque tube to crossmember attaching bolts to 28-35 ft. lbs. Torque driveshaft to torque tube yoke flange attaching bolts to 15-17 ft. lbs.