Axle Shaft Assembly: Service and Repair

Axle Shaft

Material:

Removal

1. WARNING: When equipped with rear air springs, 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.

NOTE: When removing the rear brake caliper in this procedure, it is not necessary to disconnect the hydraulic lines.

Remove the rear brake caliper and the brake disc.
^ Support the rear brake caliper with mechanics wire.
3. Position the rear brake anti-lock aside.
1 Remove the bolt.
2 Remove the sensor.





4. Remove the differential housing cover.

5. CAUTION: Once the differential pinion shaft has been removed, turning the differential case or an axle shaft can cause the differential pinion gears to fall out of the assembly. This can result in chipped or damaged components.

Remove the differential pinion shaft.
1 Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.
2 Remove the differential pinion shaft.





6. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-ring in the axle shaft U-washer groove.

Remove the axle shaft U-washer.
1 Push the axle shaft inboard.
2 Remove the U-washer.





7. Reinstall the differential pinion shaft.
1 Push the axle shaft outboard.
2 Install the differential pinion shaft.
3 Install the differential pinion shaft lock bolt finger-tight.





8. CAUTION: Do not damage the wheel bearing oil seal.

Remove the axle shaft.





Installation
1. Lubricate the lip of the wheel bearing oil seal.





2. CAUTION: Once the differential pinion shaft has been removed, turning the differential case or an axle shaft can cause the differential pinion gears to fall out of the assembly. This can result in chipped or damaged components.

Remove the differential pinion shaft.
1 Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt and discard.
2 Remove the differential pinion shaft.





3. CAUTION: Do not damage the wheel bearing oil seal.

Install the axle shaft.





4. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-ring in the axle shaft U-washer groove.

Install the axle shaft U-washer.
1 Position the U-washer on the button end of the axle shaft.
2 Pull the axle shaft outward to seat the U-washer in the side gear.





5. Install the differential pinion shaft.
1 Align the hole in the differential pinion shaft with the lock bolt hole.
2 Install a new differential pinion shaft lock bolt.
^ Tighten to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft).





6. Install the differential housing cover.
7. Install the rear brake anti-lock sensor.
^ Tighten to 7 Nm (62 lb-in).

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

Install the rear brake caliper and the brake disc.