Removal Procedure
- Raise the vehicle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
- Remove the brake caliper, if equipped. Refer to
Rear Brake Caliper Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Remove the brake rotor, if equipped. Refer to
Rear Brake Rotor Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Remove the brake drum, if equipped. Refer to
Brake Drum Replacement
in Drum Brakes.
- Remove the rear cover and the gasket. Refer to
Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement
.
- Remove the pinion shaft locking bolt.
- On axles without a locking differential,
remove the pinion shaft.
- On axles with a locking differential, remove
the shaft part way. Rotate the case until the pinion shaft touches the housing.
- On
axles with a locking differential, use a screwdriver, or a similar tool, in order
to enter the differential case and rotate the rear axle shaft lock (1) until
the lock aligns with the thrust block (2).
- Push the flange of the axle shaft inward towards the differential assembly.
- Remove the axle shaft lock from the button end of the axle shaft.
Important: When removing the axle shaft, do not rotate the shaft. Rotating the shaft will
misalign the gears. Misaligning the gears will make the assembly difficult.
- Remove the axle shaft from the housing.
Installation Procedure
Important: Carefully insert the axle shaft in order to not damage the seal.
- Install the axle shaft into the rear axle housing.
- Slide the axle shaft into the differential assembly allowing the splines
to engage the differential side gear.
- On axles without a locking differential, place the axle shaft lock on
the button end of the axle shaft.
- On
axles with a locking differential, place the axle shaft lock (1) on the axle
shaft (3) so that the ends are flush with the thrust block (2).
- Pull the shaft flange outward in order to seat the axle shaft lock into
the differential side gear.
- Install the pinion shaft.
Align the hole in the pinion shaft with the bolt hole in the differential case.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
- Install the new pinion shaft lock bolt.
Tighten
Tighten the pinion shaft locking bolt to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).
- Install the rear cover and the gasket. Refer to
Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement
.
- Install the brake rotor, if equipped. Refer to
Rear Brake Rotor Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Install the brake caliper, if equipped. Refer to
Rear Brake Caliper Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Install the brake drum, if equipped. Refer to
Brake Drum Replacement
in Drum Brakes.
- Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
- Fill the rear axle. Use the proper fluid. Refer to
Approximate Fluid Capacities
and
Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations
in Maintenance and Lubrication.
- Lower the vehicle.