Axle Assembly

Axle Assembly

All vehicles

NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical components because they affect performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. Install new components with the same component number or an equivalent component if installation is necessary. Do not use an installation component of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these components.

1. Remove the rear wheels and tires. For additional information, refer to Wheels and Tires.

2. If equipped, remove the stabilizer bar. For additional information, refer to Rear Suspension.

3. Release the parking brake cable tension. For additional information, refer to Parking Brake System.

4. Disconnect the parking brake cables at the equalizer and the anchor plate.





5. Remove the frame anchors and position the parking brake cables aside.





6. Disconnect the rear wheel speed sensor electrical connector. Release the harness clips and position the harness aside.





Vehicles with split pin yoke

7. Index-mark the driveshaft and pinion flange. Remove and discard the 4 driveshaft bolts and 2 U-joint straps.
- To install, tighten the new yoke bolts to 62 Nm (46 lb-ft).





Vehicles with circular flange

8. Index-mark the driveshaft and pinion flange. Remove and discard the 4 bolts.
- To install, tighten the new flange bolts to 100 Nm (74 lb-ft).





All vehicles

9. WARNING: Do not apply heat or flame to the shock absorber or strut tube. The shock absorber and strut tube are gas pressurized and could explode if heated. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

Remove and discard the 2 lower shock absorber nuts and bolts.
- To install, tighten the new nuts and bolts to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).





10. Disconnect the axle vent hose at the crossmember.

11. Disconnect the brake tube-to-flexible hose fitting at the crossmember. Remove the clip and position the flexible hose aside.
- Plug the flexible hose and brake tube.

- To install, tighten the brake tube-to-flexible hose fitting to 18 Nm (159 lb-in).





12. Support the axle with a suitable floor jack.





13. NOTICE: Final tightening of the U-bolt nuts must be done with the suspension at curb height or incorrect clamp load may occur.

Remove and discard the 8 U-bolt nuts and the 4 U-bolts.

- To install, with the suspension at curb height, tighten the new nuts evenly in a cross-type pattern in 4 stages.

- Stage 1: Tighten to 100 Nm (74 lb-ft).
- Stage 2: Tighten to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).
- Stage 3: Tighten to 300 Nm (222 lb-ft).
- Stage 4: Tighten to 400 Nm (295 lb-ft).





14. WARNING: Secure the assembly to the jack. Avoid any obstructions while lowering and raising the jack. Contact with obstructions may cause the assembly to fall off the jack, which may result in serious personal injury.

Carefully lower the axle and remove it from the vehicle.

15. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

16. Bleed the brake system. For additional information, refer to Brakes and Traction Control.