Special Tools

1. Block the front wheels.
2. Raise the rear axle and place the jack stands under the frame rails. Ensure that the vehicle rear wheels are off the floor. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Remove the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement.
5. Remove the high shear wheel nut using one of the following J-tools:

•

J 44619

•

J 44276

•

J 44275

•	J 28721-909

1. Align the thrust washer keyway with the spindle keyway with the nut facing outboard.
2. Engage thread and spin nut down until thrust washer bottoms on bearing surface.
3. Apply axial pressure on the installation tool, depressing the nut and lock ring which will bottom out against the thrust washer.
4. While holding axial pressure rotate hub to make sure all bearings are seated and rotating freely.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

5. Align the thrust washer keyway with the spindle keyway with the nut facing outboard.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 103.5 N·m (77 lb ft).

6. Maintain axial pressure, backing off the adjusting nut 90 degrees.

Retighten the hub adjusting nut with axial pressure applied to 24 N·m (18 lb ft) while rotating the hub to insure bearings are rotating freely.

7. Inspect the nut for lock engagement by releasing axial pressure. The nut should no longer turn by hand only.
8. Install the rear axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement.
9. Lower the rear axle housing. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.