Removal

NOTE: 8.8 Axle shown, 9.75 and 10.25 similar

1. Loosen the lug nuts.
(1) Remove the center cap.
(2) With the weight of the vehicle on the wheels, loosen the lug nuts

CAUTION: Do not use heat to loosen a seized lug nut. Heat can damage the wheel and the wheel bearings.

2. Raise and support the vehicle

WARNING: THE ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM MUST BE SHUT OFF PRIOR TO HOISTING, JACKING OR TOWING AN AIR SUSPENSION VEHICLE. THIS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY TURNING OFF THE AIR SUSPENSION SWITCH LOCATED IN THE RH KICK PANEL AREA. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN UNEXPECTED INFLATION OR DEFLATION OF THE AIR SPRINGS WHICH MAY RESULT IN SHIFTING OF THE VEHICLE DURING THESE OPERATIONS.

3. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
(1) Remove the lug nuts.
(2) Remove the wheel and tire assembly.

4. Remove the driveshaft





5. Use (A) Hi-Lift Jack to support the rear axle assembly.
6. Disconnect the parking brake cables.





7. Disconnect the rear brake anti-lock sensor electrical connector.





8. On vehicles equipped with rear drum brakes, disconnect the rear axle vent tube.





9. On vehicles equipped with rear disc brakes, remove the rear disc brake caliper bolts.





10. Wire the brake caliper out of the way.





11. On vehicles equipped with rear disc brakes, disconnect rear axle vent tube.





12. On vehicles equipped with rear drum brakes, disconnect the brake flex hose.
(1) Disconnect brake line fitting.
(2) Remove brake hose clip.
(3) Remove brake flex hose from bracket.

WARNING: BRAKE FLUID CONTAINS POLYGLYCOL ETHERS AND POLYGLYCOLS. AVOID CONTACT WITH EYES. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER HANDLING. IF BRAKE FLUID CONTACTS EYES, FLUSH WITH RUNNING WATER FOR 15 MINUTES. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION IF IRRITATING PERSISTS. IF TAKEN INTERNALLY, DRINK WATER AND INDUCE VOMITING. GET MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY.





13. On vehicles equipped with rear disc brakes, remove the brake line clip bolt.
14. On vehicles equipped with rear disc brakes, unclip the brake line from the rear axle.





15. Remove the two lower shock absorber bolts (one on each side).





16. On vehicles equipped with load leveling suspension, disconnect the axle end of the anti-wind bars.
- Remove the two bolts (one each side).

WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE AN AIR SPRING UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN THERE IS PRESSURE IN THE AIR SPRING. DO NOT REMOVE ANY COMPONENTS SUPPORTING AN AIR SPRING WITHOUT EITHER EXHAUSTING THE AIR OR PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THE AIR SPRING TO PREVENT VEHICLE DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.





17. On vehicles not equipped with load-leveling suspension, remove the rear axle assembly.
(1) Remove the four rear spring plate nuts.
(2) Remove the two rear spring plate U-bolts.
(3) Remove the rear spring plate.
(4) Remove the rear spring spacer.
(5) Repeat the procedure for the other side and remove the rear axle assembly.





18. On vehicles equipped with load-leveling suspension, remove the rear axle.
(1) Remove the four nuts.
(2) Remove the rear spring plates.
(3) Remove the two U-bolts.
(4) Remove the rear spring spacers.
(5) Repeat the procedure for the other side and remove the axle.