Rear Axle Housing Replacement 8.6, 9.5, 10.5 Inch Axle

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Drain the axle lubricant. Refer to Lubricant Change .
3. Remove the rear axle assembly. Refer to Rear Axle Replacement .
4. Remove the brake drums.
5. Remove the rear axle cover housing and gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .
6. Remove the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement .
7. Remove the brake backing plates. Refer to Brake Backing Plate Replacement in Drum Brakes.
8. Remove the differential. Refer to Differential Replacement .
9. Remove the drive pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .
10. Remove the drive pinion shaft yoke and the seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .

1. Install the drive pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .
2. Install the differential case. Refer to Differential Replacement .
3. Adjust the side bearing preload. Refer to Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment .
4. Adjust the backlash. Refer to Backlash Adjustment .
5. Perform a gear tooth contact pattern check. Refer to Gear Tooth Contact Pattern Inspection .
6. Install the brake backing plates. Refer to Brake Backing Plate Replacement in Drum Brakes.
7. Install the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement .
8. Install the rear axle housing cover and gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .
9. Install the brake drums.
10. Install the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Replacement .
11. Fill the axle with lubricant. Refer to Lubricant Change .
12. Lower the vehicle.

Rear Axle Housing Replacement 11 Inch Axle

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Drain the axle lubricant. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .
3. Remove the rear axle assembly. Refer to Rear Axle Replacement .
4. Remove the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement .
5. Remove the hub and rotor assemblies. Refer to Rear Axle Hub, Bearing, Cup, and/or Seal Replacement .
6. Remove the rear axle cover housing and the gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .
7. Remove the differential. Refer to Differential Replacement .
8. Remove the drive pinion shaft yoke and the seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .
9. Remove the drive pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .
10. Remove the drive pinion bearing cups. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement .

1. Install the drive pinion bearing cups. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement .

Determine the total shim pack thickness for each side of the differential case assembly. Refer to Determining Total Shim Pack Size

2. Install the drive pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .
3. Install the differential case. Refer to Differential Replacement .
4. Install the hub/rotor assembly. Refer to Rear Axle Hub, Bearing, Cup, and/or Seal Replacement .
5. Install the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement .
6. Install the rear axle housing cover and gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .
7. Install the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Replacement .
8. Fill the axle with lubricant. Refer to Lubricant Level Check .
9. Lower the vehicle.