Differential Carrier: Service and Repair

Fig. 8 Rear Module Assembly:

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Release air pressure from Electronic Level Control (ELC).
3. Raise and support vehicle, then drain lubricant from differential carrier housing.
4. Remove rear tire and wheel assemblies.
5. Remove propeller shaft as described in PROPELLER SHAFT.
6. Remove rear module assembly as follows:
a. Open rear compartment lid.
b. Loosen parking brake cable at tensioner, and disconnect parking brake cable ends at spindle brackets, Fig. 8.
c. Remove parking brake springs, bracket bolts and brackets.
d. Separate parking brake cable at tensioner.
e. Remove calipers and suspend with wire.
f. Remove anti-lock sensor retaining bolts and position sensors out of the way.
g. Disconnect ELC electrical connections, air lines and height sensor arm from bracket stud.
h. Remove bolt securing brake line/ELC sensor bracket to lefthand control arm.
i. Remove exhaust system support bolt located above the frame.
j. Remove eight frame brace to underbody bracket bolts.
k. Install rear Mono-Leaf Spring Compressor tool No. J 33432 or equivalent, onto leaf spring.
l. Place a transmission jack under rear module and install bolts into existing jacking plate bores.
m. Remove strut upper attaching bolts and nuts, gaining access through the rear luggage compartment.
n. Release spring tension and remove spring compressor tool.
o. Remove four frame mounting bolts and lower module assembly enough to disconnect differential vent tube.
p. Lower module assembly completely.
7. Remove drive axle as described under DRIVE AXLE.
8. Remove three differential carrier to rear module retaining bolts, then the differential from module.
9. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Torque differential carrier to rear module bolts to 60 ft. lbs.
b. Align scribe marks and torque lower strut mount to knuckle attaching bolts to 148 ft. lbs.
c. Torque hub and bearing assembly attaching bolts to 61 ft. lbs.
d. Torque caliper attaching bolts to 38 ft. lbs.
e. Torque axle shaft nut to 185 ft. lbs.
f. Torque four rear module frame mount bolts to 103 ft. lbs.
g. Torque upper strut mount retaining bolts to 40 ft. lbs.
h. Torque underbody bracket to frame brace bolts to 28 ft. lbs.
i. Torque exhaust support bolt to 11 ft. lbs.
j. Torque brake line/ELC sensor bracket to lefthand control arm attaching bolt to 18 ft. lbs.