Rear Axle - 8 1/4

Removal and Installation - Rear Axle 8 1/4 Inch


REMOVAL
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Position a suitable lifting device under the axle.
3. Secure axle to device.
4. Remove the wheels and tires.
5. Secure brake drums to the axle shaft.






6. Remove the RWAL sensor (Fig. 4) from the differential housing.
7. Disconnect the brake hose at the axle junction block. Do not disconnect the brake hydraulic lines at the wheel cylinders. Refer to Brakes for procedures.
8. Disconnect the parking brake cables and cable brackets.
9. Disconnect the vent hose from the axle shaft tube.
10. Mark the propeller shaft and companion flange for installation alignment reference.
11. Remove propeller shaft.






12. Disconnect shock absorbers (Fig. 5) from spring plate.






13. Remove stabilizer bar (Fig. 6) from the axle.






14. Remove the spring U-bolts and spring plates (Fig. 7).
15. Separate the axle from the vehicle.




INSTALLATION
1. Raise axle with lifting device and align to the leaf spring centering bolts.
2. Install spring U-bolts and spring plates.
Tighten U-bolt nuts to 122 Nm (90 ft. lbs.).

3. Install shock absorbers.
Tighten nuts to 82 Nm (60 ft. lbs.).

4. Install RWAL sensor into the differential housing.
5. Install parking brake cables, cable brackets and brake drums.
6. Connect brake hose to axle junction block.
7. Install axle vent hose.
8. Install stabilizer bar and center it with equal spacing on both sides.
Tighten bolts to 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.).

9. Install propeller shaft with reference marks aligned.
Tighten bolts to 108 Nm (80 ft. lbs.).

10. Install the wheels and tires assemblies.
11. Add gear lubricant, if necessary. Refer to Lubricant Specifications for lubricant requirements.
12. Remove lifting device from axle and lower the vehicle.