Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints: Service and Repair

1. Raise and support vehicle and remove rear wheels.
2. Remove caliper assembly, then the brake disc.
3. Remove axle plate to axle housing attaching bolts.
4. Disconnect parking brake cable.
5. Remove rear axle shaft assembly with suitable puller.
6. Remove parking brake plate assembly.
7. Remove rear axle sleeve.
8. Remove rear axle shaft bearing by applying pressure on shaft using a bench press and tool J-33949 or equivalent.
9. Remove rear axle bearing ring.
10. Remove rear axle bearing retainer.
11. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Ensure axle shaft runout does not exceed .039 inch and that axle shaft flange runout does not exceed .003 inch.
b. Install O-ring on outer circumference of bearing outer race and install bearing with O-ring turned to splined end of shaft.
c. Install sleeve with flanged side facing ball bearing and press bearing assembly in with bench press and tool J-22912-01 or equivalent.
d. Torque parking brake plate to axle housing attaching bolts to 26-29 ft. lbs.
e. Torque caliper assembly attaching bolts to 35-38 ft. lbs.