GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 2005 🢒 TopKick C-Series Commercial (Cutaway) C4/C5 🢒 Suspension 🢒 Rear Suspension 🢒 Tandem Axle/Suspension Removal and Installation

Removal Procedure

    Object Number: 202575 Size: LH

    Caution: To prevent injury, use jacks and other equipment to block the vehicle securely to prevent the axle assemblies from rolling or pivoting at the equalizer beam ends when the torque rods are disconnected.

    Important: Remove the tandem axle suspension either as a complete suspension unit or as individual components. Refer to Torque Rod Replacement or to Leaf Spring Replacement or to Equalizing Beam Replacement .

  1. Set the parking brake.
  2. Block the front wheels.
  3. Cage the spring brake chambers. Refer to Caging the Rear Air Brake Chamber in Air Drums.
  4. Drain the air system. Refer to Draining Reservoirs in Air Brakes.
  5. Raise the vehicle frame using a suitable lifting device.
  6. Support the frame forward of the rear axle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  7. Remove the brake lines.
  8. Remove the wiring.
  9. Remove the propeller shaft from between the axles. Refer to Tandem Axle Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  10. Remove the differential lock lines.
  11. Remove the nut and washer.
  12. Remove the rebound bolt.
  13. Remove the following components from the spring brackets:
    14. • The nuts
    • The washers
    • The bolts

    Caution: To avoid the possibility of injury, have an assistant remove the spacers (when used), and pivot the forward spring mounting brackets to the rear, letting them rest on the top of the spring assembly.

  14. Remove the propeller shaft from the forward rear axle. Refer to the appropriate procedure:
    15. •  One-Piece Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft
    •  Two-Piece Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft
    •  Three-Piece Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft
    •  Four-Piece Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft
  15. Remove the suspension assembly and the frame spacers, if used.
    16. 15.1. Raise the frame and roll out the axles.
    15.2. Secure the spring mounting bracket to the top of the spring assembly.

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 202575 Size: LH
  1. Install the suspension assembly.
    2. 1.1. Raise the frame and roll the axles into place.
    1.2. Lower the frame in order to line up the brackets.
  2. Install the frame spacers, if used.

    3. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  3. Install the following components to the spring brackets:
    4. • The bracket nuts
    • The washers
    • The bracket bolts

    Tighten

       • 

    Tighten the front spring bracket nut to 200 N·m (149 lb ft).

       • 

    Tighten the rear spring bracket nut to 175 N·m (130 lb ft).

  4. Install the following components:
    5. • The rebound bolts
    • The washers
    • The nuts

    Tighten
    Tighten the rebound nut to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).

  5. Install the propeller shafts. Refer to the appropriate procedure:
    6. •  One-Piece Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft
    •  Two-Piece Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft
    •  Three-Piece Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft
    •  Four-Piece Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft
    •  Tandem Axle Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  6. Install the wiring.
  7. Install the differential lock lines.
  8. Install the brake lines.
  9. Uncage the spring brake chambers. Refer to Caging the Rear Air Brake Chamber in Air Drums.