GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2003 🢒 SSR 🢒 General Information 🢒 General Information 🢒 Rear Axle Replacement

Removal Procedure
  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Place safety stands at the front-end of the vehicle.
  3. Support the rear axle with safety stands.
  4. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  5. Disconnect the rear axle vent tube.
  6. Disconnect the propeller shaft from the pinion yoke and support as necessary. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  7. Disconnect the left rear cable of the park brake from the rear axle. Refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side and to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side in Park Brake.
  8. Disconnect the right rear cable of the park brake from the rear axle. Refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side and to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side in Park Brake.
  9. Remove the caliper assemblies from the rear axle. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  10. Remove the stabilizer shaft from the rear axle. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement in Rear Suspension.
  11. Remove the coil springs. Refer to Coil Spring Replacement in Rear Suspension.
  12. Disconnect the rear axle tie rod from the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Tie Rod Replacement in Rear Suspension.
  13. Disconnect the lower control arms from the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Lower Control Arm Replacement in Rear Suspension.
  14. Disconnect the upper control arms from the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Upper Control Arm Replacement in Rear Suspension.
  15. Remove the rear axle assembly from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure
  1. Install the rear axle assembly to the vehicle.
  2. Connect the upper control arm to the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Upper Control Arm Replacement in Rear Suspension.
  3. Connect the lower control arm to the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Lower Control Arm Replacement in Rear Suspension.
  4. Connect the rear axle tie rod to the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Tie Rod Replacement in Rear Suspension.
  5. Install the coil springs. Refer to Coil Spring Replacement in Rear Suspension.
  6. Install the stabilizer shaft to the rear axle. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement in Rear Suspension.
  7. Install the caliper assemblies to the rear axle. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  8. Connect the right rear cable of the park brake to the rear axle. Refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side and to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side in Park Brake.
  9. Connect the left rear cable of the park brake to the rear axle. Refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side and to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side in Park Brake.
  10. Install the propeller shaft to the pinion yoke. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  11. Connect the rear axle vent tube.
  12. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  13. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement .
  14. Remove the safety stands.
  15. Lower the vehicle.