Differential Axle Housing: Service and Repair

REMOVAL
Remove or disconnect the following:
1. Raise vehicle and suitably support.
2. Support rear axle assembly with jackstands.
3. Rear tire and wheel assembly.
4. Disconnect the brake pipe at the brake pipe brackets on the axle assembly.
^ This will ensure that the axle assembly is not suspended by the brake pipes and hoses.
5. Lower shock absorber mount nuts.
6. Lower the rear axle and remove the springs and insulators.
7. Parking brake cable at equalizer unit and right rear wheel assembly.
8. Disconnect rear ABS wiring connector.
9. Right and left brake lines.
10. Axle assembly attaching bolts. (With an assistant).
11. Axle assembly.

INSTALLATION
Install or connect the following:
1. Position rear axle assembly, and loosely install attaching bolts.
^ Tighten axle attaching bolts to 80 Nm (59 ft. lbs.) plus 120° at curb height.
2. Right and left brake lines.
3. ABS wiring connector.
4. Parking brake cable at right rear wheel cable connector and cable equalizer.
5. Install both springs and insulators while carefully raising axle assembly and positioning axle assembly to install lower shock absorber mount stud.
6. Lower shock absorber mount nuts.
^ Tighten shock absorber lower attaching nut to 47 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).
7. Left and right side brake line bracket mount bolts to body.
^ Tighten screws to 11 Nm (97 inch lbs.).
8. Tire and wheel assembly.
9. Jackstands from underneath vehicle.
10. Lower vehicle.
11. Bleed rear brake system.
12. Adjust parking brake.