Tools Required

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Ensure that the fastening bolts for the rear axle support flange remain accessible.



3. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
4. Install the J 42066 to the axle flange.



5. Remove the drive shaft bolts.

Important: 

•	Suspend the drive shaft upward. DO NOT allow the drive shaft to hang freely.

•	Do not suspend the drive shaft from the spring. The spring will be removed in a later step.

6. Remove the drive shaft from the rear wheel hub flange.



7. Remove the brake pipe clip.
8. Remove the brake pipe from the lower control arm to allow for brake caliper movement.
9. Remove the rear brake caliper and suspend. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.



10. Remove the set screw from the rear brake disc rotor.
11. Remove the rear brake disc rotor. It may be necessary to back off the parking brake adjustment to remove the brake disc rotor. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment in Park Brake.
12. Remove the parking brake cable from the actuator bracket. Refer to Park Brake Cable Replacement in Park Brake.
13. Remove the following parts when replacing the rear axle lower control arm:

•	Remove the rear wheel hub.

•	Remove the rear wheel hub flange.

•	Remove the wheel bearing. Refer to Rear Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement .

14. Remove the brake backing plate when replacing the rear axle lower control arm. Refer Rear Disc Brake Backing Plate Replacement to Disc Brakes.
15. Remove the exhaust system at the rubber body mounts.



16. Remove the rear outer tie rod nut.
17. Remove the tie rod from the knuckle using the J 6627-A .
18. Remove the stabilizer shaft link connection at the rear axle lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
19. Using a transmission jack support the rear cradle at the rear differential.
20. Scribe a reference mark on the vehicle body around the perimeter of the rear axle cradle mount to ensure proper re-installation.



21. Remove the rear axle cradle mount bolts to the vehicle body.

Important: Support the lower control arm when removing the shock absorber lower mount bolt.




22. Remove the lower shock absorber mount bolt.



23. Remove the lower rear cradle to allow for rear spring removal.
24. Remove the rear spring.

Important: Ensure the rear differential stays adequately supported. Ensure that the method of support will not be disrupted by partial lowering of the rear axle cradle.

25. Support the rear lower control arm.
26. Remove the underbody heat shield nuts.
27. Remove the underbody heat shields.
28. Remove the propeller shaft center bearing bracket bolts.
29. Remove the rear support flange bolts.
30. Remove the rear support bushing bolt.



31. Lower the control arm to allow access to the outboard lower control arm bolt.
32. Remove the inboard lower control arm bolt.
33. Remove the outboard lower control arm bolt.
34. Remove the rear axle lower control arm.

1. Install the rear axle lower control arm.

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

2. Install the inboard rear lower control arm bolt and install the outboard rear lower control arm bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the rear axle lower control arm bolts to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).

3. Raise the rear lower control arm into position to allow for support bushing and to allow for flange bolt alignment.
4. Install the rear axle support bushing bolt to a loose position.
5. Install the rear support flange bolts to a loose position.

Tighten

1. Tighten the rear axle support bushing bolt to 125 N·m (92 lb ft).
2. Tighten the rear support flange bolts to 65 N·m (48 lb ft).
6. Remove the support from the rear lower control arm.
7. Position the rear cradle to enable the propeller shaft center bearing bracket installation.
8. Install the propeller shaft center bearing bracket bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the propeller shaft center bearing bracket bolts to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

9. Install the underbody heat shields.
10. Install the underbody heat shield nuts.

Tighten
Tighten the underbody heat shield nuts to 2 N·m (18 lb in).




11. Install the rear spring.



12. Raise the rear axle cradle into position.
13. Align the cradle mounts to the reference marks previously scribed during the removal procedure.
14. Install the rear axle cradle mount to the vehicle body bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the rear axle cradle mount to the vehicle body bolts to 65 N·m (48 lb ft).

15. Remove the transmission jack from the rear differential.



16. Support the rear lower control arm to allow for shock absorber lower mount bolt installation.
17. Install the shock absorber lower mount bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the shock absorber lower mount bolt to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).

18. Remove the rear lower control arm support.
19. Install the stabilizer shaft link connection at the rear axle lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement



20. Install the rear outer tie rod to the rear axle control arm.

Important: Use a new self-locking tie rod nut.

21. Install the rear outer tie rod nut.

Tighten
Tighten the rear outer tie rod nut to 60 N·m (44 lb ft).




22. Install the exhaust system at the rubber body mounts.
23. Install the brake backing plate if previously removed. Refer to Rear Disc Brake Backing Plate Replacement in Disc Brake.
24. Install the following parts if previously removed:

23.1.

Install the wheel bearing.

23.2.

Install the rear wheel hub.

23.3.

Install the rear wheel hub flange. Refer to Rear Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement .

25. Route the parking brake the parking brake cable through the bracket on the rear lower control arm.
26. Install the parking brake cable. Refer to Park Brake Cable Replacement in Park Brake.
27. Install the disc brake rotor.
28. Install the disc brake rotor set screw.

Tighten
Tighten the rear brake disc rotor screw to 4 N·m (35  lb  ft).




29. Adjust the parking brake cables. Refer to Park Brake Adjustment in Park Brake.
30. Install the rear brake caliper. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
31. Install the brake pipe to the lower control arm.
32. Install the brake pipe retaining clip to the lower control arm.
33. Place the drive shaft in the proper position.
34. Install the drive shaft bolts.
35. Use the J 42066 to counter hold the rear wheel hub.

Tighten
Tighten the drive shaft bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft + 70 degrees).

36. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
37. Lower the vehicle.
38. Adjust the rear toe to specifications. Refer to Rear Toe Adjustment .