Rear Axle Replace

Removal

1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Unfasten tail pipe from rear insulator.
3. Disconnect driveshaft from drive flange and center bearing from floor assembly. Retain spacer washers for reuse.
4. Remove driveshaft from transmission extension housing and rest it on exhaust system. Plug transmission opening to prevent leakage.
5. Disconnect and suspend both rear axle shafts from inner driveshaft flanges.
6. Disconnect left side stabilizer bar bracket from floor crossmember to gain access to rear mounting bolts.
7. Support rear axle assembly with a suitable jack and remove four attaching bolts from floor crossmember.
8. Lower rear axle assembly, then remove two rear body mount-to-axle cover attaching bolts.
9. Remove front end axle housing-to-crossmember attaching bolts and shims, if equipped.
10. Remove axle housing-to-crossmember through bolt and nut.
11. Lower axle and remove from vehicle.
12. Remove rear mount attaching bolts and the mount.

Fig. 7 Checking mounting flange clearance:

Installation

1. If axle case, axle assembly or suspension crossmember is replaced, check flange clearance as follows:
a. Install rear mount on axle housing rear cover, torquing attaching bolts to 37-41 ft. lbs.
b. Lift assembly into position between crossmember flanges.
c. Install through bolt and four axle bolts to crossmember attaching bolts but do not tighten bolts.
d. Position axle housing rear mount against body and secure with four bolts, torquing bolts to 14-18 ft. lbs.
e. Torque front lower attaching bolt to 51-66 ft. lbs.
f. Torque through bolt to 51-66 ft. lbs.
g. Using feeler gauge, check clearance between crossmember flanges and the rear axle mounting boss, Fig. 7.
h. Select appropriate shims to be installed between crossmember and axle.
2. Install shims, if required, and torque attaching bolts to 51-66 ft. lbs.
3. Install stabilizer bar bracket bolt and torque to 15-18 ft. lbs.
4. Connect axle halfshafts to stub shaft flanges and install attaching bolts, torquing to 28-32 ft. lbs.
5. Remove plug from transmission, then guide splined end of driveshaft into extension housing.
6. Loosely attach center bearing housing to floor assembly, then secure driveshaft to flange and torque attaching bolts to 42-55 ft. lbs.
7. Attach tail pipe to rear insulator.
8. Check rear axle oil level, then lower vehicle.