GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 1998 🢒 GMC C-Series Medium Duty Truck B7 🢒 General Information 🢒 Maintenance and Lubrication 🢒 Rear Axle Housing Replacement

Removal Procedure

    Object Number: 198599 Size: SH

    Caution: When servicing brake parts, do not create dust by grinding or sanding brake pads, by cleaning brake parts with a dry brush or with compressed air. Many earlier models or aftermarket brake parts may contain asbestos fibers which can become airborne if dust is created during servicing. Breathing dust containing asbestos fibers may cause serious bodily harm. A water dampened cloth or water based solution should be used to remove any dust on brake parts. Equipment is commercially available to perform this washing function. These methods will prevent fibers from becoming airborne.

    Important: Shift the two speed rear axle into LOW range, if equipped.

  1. Block the front wheels.
  2. Raise and support the vehicle under the frame rails. Ensure that the vehicle rear wheels are off the floor. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  3. Support the rear axle housing.
    4. • Use a hydraulic transmission dolly with adapters in order to properly handle the rear axle housing.
    • Fasten a chain over the top of the rear axle housing and to both sides of the hydraulic transmission dolly.
  4. Release the parking brake.
  5. Remove the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Wheel Removal in Tires and Wheels.
  6. Remove the Axle Shaft. Refer to Rear Hub and Bearing Replacement .
  7. Remove the rear axle lubricant. Refer to Lubricant Change .
  8. Remove the propeller shaft. Refer to the following procedures in Propeller Shaft:
    9. •  One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
    •  Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
    •  Three-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
  9. Remove the rear air brake assemblies, if equipped. Refer to Air Brake Chamber Replacement in Air Drum.
  10. Remove the rear brake caliper mounting plate, if equipped. Refer to Brake Caliper Mounting Plate Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  11. Remove the two speed rear axle shift motor, if equipped. Refer to Two Speed Rear Axle Shift Motor Replacement .
  12. Remove the differential lock air line, if equipped.
  13. Remove the wiring attached to the rear axle housing.

    14. Object Number: 198600 Size: SH
  14. Remove the rear axle tie rod, if equipped.

    15. Object Number: 198613 Size: SH
  15. Remove the rear suspension control arms.
  16. Remove the rear shock absorber from the rear shock absorber lower bracket.
  17. Remove the following components from the rear axle stabilizer shaft. Disconnect the components only from the rear axle housing:
    18. • The nuts
    • The washers
    • The bolts, if equipped

    Object Number: 198624 Size: MH
  18. Remove the following rear spring components:
    19. • The U-bolts
    • The nuts
    • The washers
  19. Remove the rear shock absorber lower bracket, if equipped.
  20. Remove the rear spring anchor plate bracket.
  21. Remove the rear axle housing from the suspension.
  22. Remove the differential carrier. Complete the following steps:
    23. 22.1. Set the rear axle housing on an axle stand with the differential carrier facing up.
    22.2. Remove the following differential carrier components:
       • The bolts
       • The nuts, if equipped
       • The washers
    22.3. Strike the differential carrier housing with a rubber mallet in order to break the seal.
    22.4. Lift the differential carrier from the rear axle housing. Use a chain lift or equivalent.
  23. Clean the differential carrier seal surface.
  24. Clean the rear brake drum or the rear bake rotor, and the rear brake assemblies using Brake Parts Cleaner GM P/N 12345754 or equivalent.
  25. Clean the rear wheel bearings. Refer to Bearings Inspection .
  26. Inspect the rear axle housing for the following conditions:
    27. • Damaged threads
    • Cracked welds
    • Damaged flanges

Installation Procedure
  1. Install the differential carrier. Refer to Differential Replacement .
  2. Lift the differential carrier, then lower the carrier onto the rear axle housing. Use a chain lift or equivalent.
  3. Install the rear axle housing to the rear suspension.

    4. Object Number: 198599 Size: SH
  4. Support the rear axle housing using a hydraulic transmission dolly with adapters in order to properly handle the rear axle housing.
  5. Fasten a chain over the top of the rear axle housing and to both sides of the dolly.
  6. Install the rear spring anchor plate bracket.
  7. Install the rear shock absorber lower bracket, if equipped.

    8. Object Number: 198628 Size: SH

    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.

  8. Install the following components:
    9. • The rear spring U-bolts
    • The washers
    • The nuts

       Important: In order to properly tighten the rear spring U-bolt nuts, torque the nuts progressively using the following steps:

    • Tighten the rear spring U-bolt (20 mm [0.79 in] OD).

    Tighten

    1. Tighten the rear spring U-bolt nuts to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).
    2. Tighten the rear spring U-bolt nuts to 250 N·m (184 lb ft).
    3. Tighten the rear spring U-bolt nuts to 388 N·m (287 lb ft) .
    • Tighten the rear spring U-bolt (22 mm [0.87 in] OD).

    Tighten

    1. Tighten the rear spring U-bolt nuts to 150 N·m (111 lb ft).
    2. Tighten the rear spring U-bolt nuts to 275 N·m (203 lb ft).
    3. Tighten the rear spring U-bolt nuts to 437 N·m (344 lb ft).
  9. Install the rear shock absorber to the rear shock absorber lower bracket.

    10. Tighten
    Tighten the rear shock absorber lower nuts to 84 N·m (62 lb ft).

  10. Install the rear axle stabilizer shaft to the axle housing, if equipped. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement .

    11. Tighten
    Tighten the rear axle stabilizer shaft nuts to 240 N·m (177 lb ft).

  11. Install the rear suspension control arms (air suspension only).

    12. Tighten
    Tighten the rear suspension control arm nuts to 241 N·m (178 lb ft).

  12. Install the rear axle tie rod, if equipped.

    13. Tighten

        • Tighten the rear axle tie rod nuts (with air suspension) to 508 N·m (375 lb ft).
        • Tighten the rear axle tie rod nuts (except air suspension) to 298 N·m (220 lb ft).
  13. Install the differential lock air line, if equipped.
  14. Install the two speed rear axle shift motor, if equipped. Refer to Two Speed Rear Axle Shift Motor Replacement .
  15. Install the wiring to the rear axle housing.
  16. Install the rear air brake assembly, if equipped. Refer to Air Brake Chamber Replacement in Air Drum
  17. Install the rear brake caliper mounting plates, if equipped. Refer to Brake Caliper Mounting Plate Replacement in Disc Brake
  18. Install the propeller shaft. Refer to the following procedures:
    19. •  One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
    •  Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
    •  Three-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
  19. Install the rear axle lubricant. Refer to Lubricant Change .
  20. Install the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Wheel Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  21. Remove the Axle Shaft. Refer to Rear Hub and Bearing Replacement or .
  22. Check for air leaks. Refer to Air Brake System Testing in Air Brake.
  23. Verify proper operation of the brakes.
  24. Remove the wheel blocks.