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. Refer to
Rear Brake Caliper Replacement
in Disc 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 lock (1) until the lock aligns with
the thrust block (2).
- Push the flange of the axle shaft (1) toward the differential.
- Remove the C-lock (4) from the button end of the axle shaft (1).
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 (1) from the housing (5).
Installation Procedure
Important: Carefully insert the axle shaft in order to not damage the seal.
- Install the axle shaft (1) into the rear axle housing (5).
- Slide the axle shaft (1) into place allowing the splines to engage the
differential side gear.
- On axles without a locking differential, place the lock (4) on the button
end of the axle shaft (1).
- On axles with a locking differential, keep the pinion shaft partially
withdrawn.
- On
axles with a locking differential, place the C-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 lock in the differential
gear.
- 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 locking bolt.
Tighten
• | For the 8.6 inch axle, tighten the pinion shaft locking bolt to
36 N·m (27 lb ft). |
• | For the 9.5 inch axle, tighten the pinion shaft locking bolt to
50 N·m (37 lb ft). |
- Install the rear cover and the gasket. Refer to
Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement
.
- Install the brake caliper. Refer to
Rear Brake Caliper Replacement
in Disc 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.