Rear Axle

1. Pry spindle nut stake away from spindle and loosen wheel nuts. Do not remove wheel nuts at this time.
2. Raise and support rear of vehicle.
3. Remove wheel nuts, wheels and spindle nut.
4. Disconnect brake line from wheel cylinder, then plug line and open cylinder port.
5. Raise rear suspension with a suitable floor jack until weight of lower arm bushing is released.

Fig. 3 Arm Bushing Bolt Locations:

6. Remove trailing arm bushing bolts, Fig. 3.
7. Disconnect upper and lower arm from trailing arm.
8. Pull trailing arm outward and remove rear driveshaft outboard joint from trailing arm using a plastic hammer.
9. Insert a screwdriver between drive axle assembly and CV joint to separate set ring from drive axle end groove.
10. Pull inboard joint and remove drive axle and CV joint from differential case as an assembly.
11. Wrap splines with vinyl tape to prevent damage to boots and covers.

Fig. 4 Exploded View Of Rear Drive Axle:

12. Install outboard boot, Fig. 4 boot band covers and inboard boot to drive axle, then remove vinyl tape.
13. Install stopper ring onto drive axle groove.

Fig. 5 Spider, Roller & Stopper Ring Installation:

14. Install spider on drive axle by aligning marks on spider end of drive axle, Fig. 5.
15. Install rollers onto spider with high shoulders facing outward.
16. Install circlip onto drive axle groove.
17. Pack outboard boot and inboard joint with molybdenum disulfide grease.
18. Install inboard joint onto drive axle.

Fig. 6 Rear Drive Axle Boot Adjustment:

19. Adjust length of drive axle, Fig. 6, then adjust boots to halfway between full compression and full extension. Boot ends seat in groove of drive axle and joint.
20. Install new boot bands on boot and bend both sets of locking tabs. Using a hammer, lightly tap on doubled over boot band to reduce height.
21. Install new set ring into drive axle groove.
22. Install inboard end of drive axle into differential.