GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 2004 🢒 TopKick C-Series (Conventional) C4/C5 🢒 Driveline/Axle 🢒 Rear Drive Axle 🢒 Rear Axle Housing Replacement

Removal Procedure

    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.

  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.
  3. Release the parking brake.
  4. Remove the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  5. Remove the rear axle lubricant.
  6. Remove the propeller shaft. Refer to the following list in order to select the correct procedure:
    7. •  One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
    •  Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
    •  Three-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
    •  Four-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
    •  Tandem Axle Propeller Shaft Replacement
  7. Remove the rear air brake lines, if equipped. Refer to Hose and Line Replacement - Nylon Push-In Type Fitting .
  8. Remove the shift motor assembly, if equipped. Refer to Two Speed Rear Axle Shift Motor Replacement .
  9. Remove the differential lock air line tandem axle only, if equipped. Refer to Hose and Line Replacement - Nylon Push-In Type Fitting .
  10. Cage the spring brake chambers, if equipped. Refer to Caging the Rear Air Brake Chamber .
  11. Remove the rear brake drum, if equipped. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement .
  12. Remove the rear hub assemblies. Refer to Rear Axle Hub, Bearing, Cup, and/or Seal Replacement .
  13. Remove the rear brake caliper mounting plates, if equipped. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Mount Plate Replacement .
  14. Remove the rear cam brake assembly, if equipped. Refer to Rear Cam Brake Assembly Replacement .
  15. Remove the wiring attached to the rear axle housing.

    16. Object Number: 198600 Size: SH
  16. Remove the rear axle tie rod, if equipped. Refer to Tandem Axle/Suspension Removal and Installation .
  17. Remove the rear axle torque rods tandem axle only. Refer to Torque Rod Replacement .

    18. Object Number: 198613 Size: SH
  18. Remove the rear axle control arms air suspension only. Refer to Tandem Axle/Suspension Removal and Installation .
  19. Remove the rear suspension equalizer beams tandem axle only. Refer to Equalizing Beam Replacement .
  20. Remove the rear shock absorber from the rear shock absorber lower bracket. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement .

    21. Object Number: 198624 Size: MH
  21. Remove the following rear spring components:
    22. • The nuts
    • The washers
    • The U-bolts
  22. Remove the rear shock absorber lower bracket, if equipped. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement .
  23. Remove the rear spring anchor plate bracket.
  24. Support the axle using a hydraulic transmission dolly with adapters in order to properly handle the axle housing.
  25. Fasten a chain over the top of the housing and to both sides of the dolly.
  26. Remove the rear axle housing from the suspension.
  27. Remove the differential carrier and do the following:
    28. 27.1. Set the rear axle housing on an axle stand with the differential carrier facing up.
    27.2. Remove the following differential components:
       • The nuts, if equipped
       • The carrier bolts
       • The washers
    27.3. Strike the differential carrier housing with a rubber mallet in order to break the seal.
    27.4. Lift the differential carrier from the rear axle housing. Use a chain lift or equivalent.
  28. Clean the differential carrier seal surface.
  29. Clean the rear brake drum or rear bake rotor, and rear brake assemblies using Brake Parts Cleaner, GM P/N 12345754 (Canadian P/N 993119), or equivalent.
  30. Clean the rear wheel bearings.
  31. Inspect the rear axle housing for the following conditions:
    32. • Damaged threads
    • Cracked welds
    • Damaged flanges

Installation Procedure
  1. Install the differential carrier. Refer to Differential Replacement .

    2. Object Number: 198599 Size: SH
  2. Support the rear axle housing using a hydraulic transmission dolly with adapters in order to properly handle the rear axle housing.
  3. Lift the differential carrier and lower the carrier onto the rear axle housing.
  4. Use a chain lift or equivalent.
  5. Install the rear axle housing to the rear suspension.
  6. Fasten a chain over the top of the rear axle housing and to both sides of the dolly.
  7. Install the rear spring anchor plate bracket.
  8. Install the rear shock absorber lower bracket, if equipped. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement .

    9. 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.

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

    Tighten
    For U-bolt nut tightening procedures, refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications .

  10. Install the shock absorber to the lower shock absorber bracket. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement .
  11. Install the rear suspension equalizer beams (tandem axle only). Refer to Equalizing Beam Replacement .
  12. Install the rear axle control arms air suspension only. Refer to Tandem Axle/Suspension Removal and Installation .
  13. Install the rear axle torque rods tandem only. Refer to Torque Rod Replacement .
  14. Install the rear axle tie rod, if equipped. Refer to Tandem Axle/Suspension Removal and Installation .
  15. Install the wiring to the axle housing.
  16. Install the rear cam brake assembly, if equipped. Refer to Rear Cam Brake Assembly Replacement .
  17. Install the rear brake caliper mounting plates, if equipped. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Mount Plate Replacement .
  18. Install the rear hub assemblies. Refer to Rear Axle Hub, Bearing, Cup, and/or Seal Replacement .
  19. Install the rear brake drum, if equipped. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement .
  20. Uncage the spring brake chambers, if equipped. Refer to Caging the Rear Air Brake Chamber .
  21. Install the differential lock air line, if equipped. Refer to Hose and Line Replacement - Nylon Push-In Type Fitting .
  22. Install shift motor assembly, if equipped. Refer to Two Speed Rear Axle Shift Motor Replacement .
  23. Install the air brake lines, if equipped. Refer to Hose and Line Replacement - Nylon Push-In Type Fitting .
  24. Install the propeller shaft. Refer to the following list in order to select the correct procedure:
    25. •  One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
    •  Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
    •  Three-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
    •  Four-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement
    •  Tandem Axle Propeller Shaft Replacement

    Important: Add 0.94 liters (1 quart) of rear axle lubricant to the power divider of the tandem axle front unit, if equipped.

  25. Install the rear axle lubricant.
  26. Install the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  27. Check for air leaks. Refer to Air Brake System Testing .
  28. Inspect for proper brake operation.
  29. Remove the wheel blocks.