Removal Procedure
Important: Group and mark the shims together as originally removed. If you remove
or replace the ring and pinion gearset, perform the bearing preload, backlash,
and gear tooth contact pattern check in order to ensure proper contact
of the gears. If you reinstall or replace the differential carrier without
replacing any other component (i.e. pinion and ring gear set, bearings.
etc.) then you may reinstall the carrier with the original shims in their
original locations. Always perform a gear tooth contact pattern check,
even when you remove only the carrier.
- Raise the vehicle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General
Information.
- Remove the tires and wheel assemblies. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
- Remove the brake calipers. Refer to
Rear Brake Caliper Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Remove the brake rotors. Refer to
Rear Brake Rotor Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Remove the rear axle housing cover and the gasket. Refer to
Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement
.
- Remove the axle shafts. Refer to
Rear Axle Shaft Replacement
.
- Remove the bearing caps and bolts. Mark
the bearing caps left and right.
Caution: To prevent personal injury and/or component damage, support the differential
case when removing the case from the axle housing. If the case is not supported,
the differential case could fall and cause personal injury or damage to the
differential case.
Notice: When removing the differential case from the axle housing, do not damage
the cover gasket surface. If the cover gasket surface is damaged, lubricant
may leak from the axle and cause premature failure of the axle assembly.
- Remove the differential by prying the differential from the axle housing
at the differential window.
- Remove the differential.
- Remove the bearing cups, the shims, and the spacers as necessary.
Mark the cups and shims left and right and in the proper order
as necessary. Place the cups and the shims with the bearing caps.
- Remove the differential side bearings, if necessary. Refer to
Differential Side Bearings Replacement
.
- Remove the ring gear, if necessary. Refer to
Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement
.
Installation Procedure
- Install the ring gear, if necessary. Refer to
Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement
.
- Install the differential side bearings, if necessary. Refer to
Differential Side Bearings Replacement
.
- Lubricate the differential side bearings with axle lubricant.
Use the proper fluid. Refer to
Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations
in Maintenance
and Lubrication.
- Place the case, with the bearing cups
installed, into the axle housing.
Support the case in order to
keep the case from falling out of the axle housing.
- Install the bearing caps and the bolts.
Do not torque the bearing cap bolts at this time.
- Adjust the differential side bearing preload. Refer to
Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment
.
- Adjust the backlash. Refer to
Backlash Adjustment
.
- Perform a gear tooth contact pattern check. Refer to
Gear Tooth Contact Pattern Inspection
.
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.
- Tighten the bearing cap bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the bearing cap bolts to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).
- Install the axle shafts. Refer to
Rear Axle Shaft Replacement
.
- Install the rear axle housing cover and a new gasket. Refer to
Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement
.
- Install the brake rotors. Refer to
Rear Brake Rotor Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Install the brake calipers. Refer to
Rear Brake Caliper Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
in Tires and Wheels.
- Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to
Approximate Fluid Capacities
and
Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations
in Maintenance and Lubrication.
- Lower the vehicle.