Removal and Installation

FRONT AXLE - 181FBI

REMOVAL
1. With vehicle in neutral, position vehicle on hoist.
2. Position a lift under the axle and secure to the axle.
3. Remove brake components.
4. Remove vent hose from axle shaft tube.
5. Remove propeller shaft.

Fig. 1 STABILIZER BAR:

6. Remove stabilizer bar links at the axle (Fig. 1).

Fig. 2 COIL SPRING & SHOCK ABSORBER:

7. Remove shock absorbers from axle brackets (Fig. 2).

Fig. 3 TRACK BAR:

8. Remove track bar from axle bracket (Fig. 3).
9. Remove tie rod and drag link from steering knuckle.
10. Remove steering damper from axle bracket.
11. Remove upper and lower suspension arms from axle brackets.
12. Lower lift enough to remove the axle. The coil springs will drop with the axle.
13. Remove coil springs from the axle.

INSTALLATION

CAUTION: The weight of the vehicle must be supported by the springs before suspension arms and track bar fasteners can be tightened. Failure to heed caution may result in damage.

1. Install springs and retainers and tighten retainer bolts to 21 Nm (16 ft. lbs.).
2. Position axle under vehicle and align it with the spring pads.

Fig. 4 UPPER & LOWER SUSPENSION ARMS:

3. Install upper and lower suspension arms in the axle brackets and loosely install bolts and nuts (Fig. 4).
4. Connect the vent hose to the axle shaft tube.

Fig. 5 TRACK BAR:

5. Install track bar to the axle bracket and loosely install bolt (Fig. 5).

Fig. 6 COIL SPRING & SHOCK ABSORBER:

6. Install shock absorbers and tighten the bolts (Fig. 6) to torque specification.

Fig. 7 STABILIZER BAR:

7. Install stabilizer bar links to the axle brackets and tighten nuts (Fig. 7) to torque specification.
8. Install drag link and tie rod and tighten nut to torque specification
9. Install steering damper to the axle bracket and tighten nut to torque specification.
10. Install brake components.
11. Install propeller shaft.
12. Remove lift from the axle and lower vehicle.
13. Tighten upper and lower control arm nuts to torque specification.
14. Tighten track bar bolt at the axle bracket to torque specification.
15. Check the front wheel alignment.