Rear axle. Axle shaft

Rear axle

REMOVAL

(1) Raise and support the vehicle.

(2) Position a suitable lifting device under the axle.

(3) Secure axle to device.

(4) Remove the wheels and tires.

(5) Secure brake drums to the axle shaft.

(6) Remove the RWAL sensor from the differential housing, if necessary. Refer to Group 5, Brakes, for proper procedures.

(7) Disconnect the brake hose at the axle junction block. Do not disconnect the brake hydraulic lines at the wheel cylinders. Refer to Group 5, Brakes, for proper procedures.

(8) Disconnect the parking brake cables and cable brackets.

(9) Disconnect the vent hose from the axle shaft tube.

(10) Mark the propeller shaft and companion flange for installation alignment reference.

(11) Remove propeller shaft.

(12) Disconnect shock absorbers from axle.

(13) Remove the spring clamps and spring brackets.

Refer to Group 2, Suspension, for proper procedures.

(14) Separate the axle from the vehicle.

INSTALLATION

(1) Raise the axle with lifting device and align to the leaf spring centering bolts.

(2) Install the spring clamps and spring brackets.

Refer to Group 2, Suspension, for proper procedures.

(3) Install shock absorbers and tighten nuts to 82 N*m (60 ft. lbs.) torque.

(4) Install the RWAL sensor to the differential housing, if necessary. Refer to Group 5, Brakes, for proper procedures.

(5) Connect the parking brake cables and cable brackets.

(6) Install the brake drums. Refer to Group 5, Brakes, for proper procedures.

(7) Connect the brake hose to the axle junction block. Refer to Group 5, Brakes, for proper procedures.

(8) Install axle vent hose.

(9) Align propeller shaft and pinion companion flange reference marks. Install the companion flange bolts. Tighten to 108 N*m (80 ft. lbs.) torque.

(10) Install the wheels and tires.

(11) Add gear lubricant, if necessary. Refer to Lubricant Specifications in this section for lubricant requirements.

(12) Remove lifting device from axle and lower the vehicle.

Axle shaft

REMOVAL

(1) Raise and support vehicle. Ensure that the transmission is in neutral.

(2) Remove wheel and tire assembly.

(3) Remove brake drum. Refer to Group 5, Brakes, for proper procedure.

(4) Clean all foreign material from housing cover area.

(5) Loosen housing cover bolts. Drain lubricant from the housing and axle tubes. Remove housing cover.

(6) Rotate differential case so that pinion mate shaft lock screw is accessible. Remove lock screw and pinion mate shaft from differential case (Fig. 10).

Fig. 10 Pinion Mate Shaft Lock Screw

1 - LOCK SCREW

2 - PINION MATE SHAFT

(7) Push axle shaft inward and remove axle shaft C-lock from the axle shaft (Fig. 11).

Fig. 11 Axle Shaft C-Lock

1 - C-LOCK

2 - AXLE SHAFT

3 - SIDE GEAR

(8) Remove axle shaft. Use care to prevent damage to axle shaft bearing and seal, which will remain in axle tube.

(9) Inspect axle shaft seal for leakage or damage.

(10) Inspect roller bearing contact surface on axle shaft for signs of brinelling, galling and pitting. If any of these conditions exist, the axle shaft and/or bearing and seal must be replaced.

INSTALLATION

(1) Lubricate bearing bore and seal lip with gear lubricant. Insert axle shaft through seal, bearing, and engage it into side gear splines.

NOTE: Use care to prevent shaft splines from damaging axle shaft seal lip.

(2) Insert C-lock in end of axle shaft. Push axle shaft outward to seat C-lock in side gear.

(3) Insert pinion shaft into differential case and through thrust washers and differential pinions.

(4) Align hole in shaft with hole in the differential case and install lock screw with Loctitet on the threads. Tighten lock screw to 11 N*m (8 ft. lbs.) torque.

(5) Install cover and add fluid. Refer to Lubricant Change procedure in this section for procedure and lubricant requirements.

(6) Install brake drum. Refer to Group 5, Brakes, for proper procedures.

(7) Install wheel and tire.

(8) Lower vehicle.