Rear Axle Replacement (15/25 Series)

Rear Axle Replacement (15/25 Series)

Removal Procedure





1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Place jack or utility stands (such as GMDE 123-B67313) at the front end of the vehicle.
3. Drain the axle lubricant from the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement.
4. Disconnect the propeller shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement or Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement.
5. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies.
6. Disconnect the parking brake cable. Refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement.
7. Remove the brake line bracket bolts. Suspend the brake lines from the vehicle with heavy mechanics wire.
8. Remove the brake calipers from the brake caliper mounting brackets. Do not disconnect the brake lines. Suspend the calipers from the vehicle with heavy mechanics wire. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement.
9. Disconnect the shock absorbers from the axle brackets. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement.
10. Remove the vent hose from the rear axle vent fitting. Refer to Transmission Vent Hose Replacement.
11. Remove the nuts and the washers from the U-bolts.
12. Remove the U-bolts, the spring plates and the spacers form the axle assembly.
13. Lower the axle assembly.

Installation Procedure





1. Place the rear axle assembly under the vehicle.
2. Align the rear axle assembly with the springs.
3. Connect the spacers, the spring plates and the U-bolts to the rear axle.
4. Raise the rear axle assembly into position.

Notice:
Refer to Fastener Notice.

5. Install the washers if equipped and the nuts to the U-bolts.
^ 15 Series tighten the nuts in a criss cross pattern to 72 Nm (53 lb ft).
^ 25 series tighten the nuts in a criss cross pattern to 150 Nm (110 lb ft).
6. Install the vent hose to the rear axle vent fitting. Refer to Transmission Vent Hose Replacement.
7. Connect the shock absorbers to the rear axle. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement.
8. Install the brake calipers. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement.
9. Install the brake lines and the brake line bracket bolts to the axle.
10. Connect the parking brake cable. Refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement.
11. Install the tire and wheel assemblies.
12. Connect the propeller shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement or Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement.
13. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities and Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.
14. Remove the utility stands.
15. Lower the vehicle.