GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 2004 🢒 Sonoma Pickup - 4WD 🢒 Driveline/Axle 🢒 Rear Drive Axle 🢒 Rear Axle Housing Replacement

Removal Procedure
  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Place jack or utility stands (such as GMDE 123-B67313) at the front of the vehicle.
  3. Support the rear axle housing in order to relieve tension on the leaf springs.
  4. Remove the rear tires and wheels assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  5. Disconnect the shock absorbers from the axle brackets. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement in Rear Suspension.
  6. Disconnect the vent hose from the rear axle housing.

    7. Important: Do not remove propeller shaft from the transmission or transfer case.

  7. Disconnect the propeller shaft attached to the rear drive axle. Refer to the appropriate procedure in Propeller Shaft:
    8. •  One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
    •  Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
  8. Secure the propeller shaft out of the way in order not put stress on the universal joints.
  9. Remove the rear axle housing cover and gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .
  10. Disconnect the brake caliper hose from the brake pipe. Refer to Rear Brake Hose Replacement in Hydraulic Brakes.
  11. Remove the brake calipers. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  12. Remove the brake rotors. Refer to Rear Brake Rotor Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  13. Remove the backing plates. Refer to Rear Disc Brake Backing Plate Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  14. Remove the brake pipe from the axle housing.
  15. Remove the rear park brake cables. Refer to Parking Brake Actuator Replacement in Park Brake.
  16. Remove right rear park brake cable from the cable guide on the rear axle.
  17. Disconnect the rear spring from the axle. Refer to Leaf Spring Replacement in Rear Suspension.
  18. Lower the axle from the vehicle.
  19. Remove the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
  20. Remove the drive pinion yoke. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .
  21. Remove the drive pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .
  22. Remove the drive pinion bearings from the drive pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement .
  23. Remove the differential side bearings. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement .

Installation Procedure
  1. Install the new differential side bearings to the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement .
  2. Determine the selective shim thickness for the drive pinion. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment .
  3. Install the new drive pinion bearings. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement .
  4. Install the drive pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .
  5. Install the new drive pinion yoke oil seal and drive pinion yoke. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .
  6. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
  7. Install the new rear axle shaft bearings and oil seals. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Seal and/or Bearing Replacement .
  8. Install the axle housing assembly to the rear springs. Refer to Leaf Spring Replacement in Rear Suspension.
  9. Install the brake pipe to the axle housing.
  10. Install the backing plates. Refer to Rear Disc Brake Backing Plate Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  11. Install the brake rotors. Refer to Rear Brake Rotor Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  12. Install the brake calipers. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  13. Connect the brake caliper hose to the brake pipe. Refer to Rear Brake Hose Replacement in Hydraulic Brakes.
  14. Install the rear axle housing cover and new gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .
  15. Install the right rear park brake cable in the cable guide on the rear axle.
  16. Connect the park brake cables. Refer to Parking Brake Actuator Replacement in Park Brake.
  17. Install the propeller shaft. Refer to the appropriate procedure in Propeller Shaft:
    18. •  One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
    •  Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
  18. Connect the shock absorbers to the axle brackets. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement in Rear Suspension.
  19. Connect the vent hose to the axle housing.
  20. Install the rear tires and wheels assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  21. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement .
  22. Bleed the brakes system, disc brake systems only. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding in Hydraulic Brakes.
  23. Remove the safety stands.
  24. Lower the vehicle.
  25. Test drive vehicle and check for leaks.