Axle Shaft: Service and Repair

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect battery ground cable and turn air suspension switch OFF.
2. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove disc brake calipers and rotors.
4. Drain rear axle fluid by removing cover.

Rear Axle Removal:

5. Remove differential pinion shaft lock bolt and differential pinion shaft.

Axle Shaft C-Lock:

6. Push flanged end of axle shafts toward center of vehicle and remove C-lock from button end of axle shaft.
7. Remove axle shaft from housing, using caution not to damage oil seal and ABS sensor ring.

INSTALLATION
1. Ensure O-ring is present on spline end of axle shaft.
2. Carefully slide axle shaft into axle housing. Use extreme caution to not damage bearing seal or ABS sensor ring.
3. Start splines into side gear and push firmly until button end of axle shaft can be seen in differential case.
4. Install C-lock on button end of axle shaft splines. Push shaft outboard until splines engage and the C-lock seats in counterbore of differential side gear.
5. Position differential pinion shaft through case and pinion gears, aligning hole in shaft with lock bolt hose. Apply rear axle lubricant E0AZ-19580-AA or equivalent, to pinion shaft lock bolt. Tighten to 15-29 ft lb.
6. Install cover and tighten to 19-25 ft lb.
7. Install ABS speed sensor, rotors and calipers.