Axle Assembly

Axle Assembly

Removal





1. WARNING: The electrical power to the air suspension system must be shut off prior to hoisting, jacking or towing an air suspension vehicle. This can be accomplished by turning off the air suspension switch located in the LH side of the luggage compartment. Failure to do so can result in unexpected inflation or deflation of the air springs, which can result in shifting of the vehicle during these operations.

Turn the air suspension switch OFF.

2. WARNING: If equipped with fire suppression system, depower the system. For important safety warnings and procedures, refer to Fire Suppression System.

Remove the driveshaft.
3. Remove the rear disc brake calipers and position them aside.





4. Remove the parking brake rear cable and conduit from the parking brake cable equalizer.
^ Reroute the parking brake rear cable and conduit aside.
^ Repeat for the other side.





5. Disconnect the ABS sensor harness routing clips.





6. Remove the rear stabilizer bar from the rear stabilizer bar link and bushing.





7. Remove the rear stabilizer bar bracket bolts and the rear stabilizer bar brackets to disconnect the rear stabilizer bar.





8. If equipped with rear air springs, remove the height sensor.





9. CAUTION: Take care not to damage the threads on the bellcrank stud.

Separate the Watts linkage from the rear axle housing.
^ Remove the retainer nut from the bellcrank stud.





10. WARNING: Use additional support straps to secure the rear axle to the jack.

Support the rear axle housing with a suitable jack.





11. Remove the shock absorber lower nuts, then remove the shock absorbers from the retainer brackets.





12. Remove the nuts and bolts retaining the LH and RH lower control arms.





13. Remove the nuts and bolts retaining the LH and RH upper control arms.
14. Unseat the air springs and lower the rear axle from the vehicle.

Installation





1. WARNING: Use additional support straps to secure the rear axle to the High-Lift Transmission Jack.

Raise the rear axle into position, using a High-Lift Transmission Jack.
^ Seat the air springs.





2. Install the lower control arm bolts and nuts.
^ Tighten to 150 Nm (111 ft. lbs.).





3. Install the upper control arm bolts and nuts.
^ Tighten to 105 Nm (76 ft. lbs.).





4. Install the shock absorbers.
^ Position the shock absorbers into the retainer brackets, and tighten the nuts and bolts.
- Tighten to 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.).

5. Remove the High-Lift Transmission Jack.





6. Install the Watts linkage on the rear axle housing.
^ Install the retainer nut on the bellcrank stud.
- Tighten to 250 Nm (185 ft. lbs.).





7. If equipped with rear air springs, install the height sensor.





8. Install the rear stabilizer bar bracket bolts.
^ Tighten to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).





9. Install the rear stabilizer bar link nuts.
^ Tighten to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).





10. Position the rear driveshaft and align the marks on the pinion flange.





11. CAUTION: The driveshaft centering socket yoke fits tightly on the rear axle pinion flange pilot. To make sure that the yoke seats squarely on the flange, tighten the bolts evenly in a cross pattern.

Install the 4 driveshaft bolts.
^ Tighten to 112 Nm (83 ft. lbs.).

12. Install the rear disc brake calipers.

13. WARNING: If equipped with fire suppression system, repower the system. For important safety warnings and procedures, refer to Fire Suppression System.

Lower the vehicle.
14. If equipped with rear air springs, turn on the air suspension switch.