Removal Procedure

REMOVE OR DISCONNECT
^ Tools Required:
- J 26941 Axle Shaft Seal Remover
- J 23907 Slide Hammer

1. Raise and suitably support vehicle.
2. Place a drain pan or suitable container under rear axle housing.





3. Rear axle housing oil level/filler plug from rear axle housing.
4. Rear axle housing drain plug from rear axle housing and drain rear axle housing.
5. Rear tire and wheel assemblies.
6. Rear brake drums from rear axle.
7. Both rear axle shafts from rear axle housing.





8. Both rear axle shaft inner oil seals from rear axle housing using J 26941 with J 23907.
9. Both rear axle shaft inner oil seal protectors from rear axle housing.

Important: To ensure rear propeller shaft balance, an index mark (reference mark) must be placed on the differential pinion flange and the rear propeller shaft flange so that the rear propeller shaft can be installed in the same position from which it was removed. If this procedure is not followed, a driveline imbalance may result causing vibration, premature component wear or other undesirable characteristics.





10. Four bolts, four nuts and rear propeller shaft from vehicle.





11. Loosen both rear control arm through bolts and nuts.
12. Remove drain pan from under rear axle housing.
13. Lower vehicle so that the rear axle housing may be supported with a hydraulic jack.





14. Support rear axle housing with a suitable hydraulic floor jack.
15. Two bolts securing Load Sensing Proportioning Valve (LSPV) spring bracket to upper control arm (if equipped).





16. Four bolts at rear control arm ball joint boss and separate rear control arm ball joint boss from differential carrier.





17. Two bolts and rear wheel speed sensor cover from differential carrier (if equipped).
18. Electrical connector from the rear wheel speed sensor (if equipped).





19. Eight differential carrier nuts and differential carrier from rear axle housing.





20. Rear brake fluid pipes from rear wheel cylinders and separate both brake backing plates from rear axle housing.





21. One E-clip and brake fluid hose from rear axle housing brake fluid hose bracket.





22. Five screws from brake fluid pipe clamps and separate brake fluid pipes from rear axle housing.





23. One clamp and rear axle housing breather hose from rear axle housing.





24. Two nuts and two washers (one from each side) from lower rear shock absorber through bolts at rear axle housing.
25. Two nuts and two washers (one from each side) from rear trailing rods at rear axle housing.

CAUTION: Rear coil springs are under pressure. Lower hydraulic floor jack under rear axle housing slowly until coil spring pressure is relieved. If rear coil springs become unseated while under pressure during removal, serious bodily injury may result.

26. Slowly lower hydraulic floor jack until coil spring pressure is relieved.
27. Two through bolts (one from each side) and separate rear shock absorbers from rear axle housing.
28. Two through bolts (one from each side) and separate rear trailing rods from rear axle housing.
29. Both rear coil springs from rear axle housing.
30. Rear axle housing from under vehicle.

Clean
- Rear axle housing thoroughly with solvent and dry.

Inspect
- Rear axle housing mating surfaces and flanges for cracks or other damage. Replace as necessary.