Rear axle assembly – removal and installation
Removal
1. Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it with jackstands placed under the frame rails.
2. Remove the rear wheels.
3. Disconnect the driveshaft from the rear axle (Driveshaft(s) – removal and installation).
Leaf spring models
4. Disconnect the ABS sensor (s).
5. Disconnect the parking brake cable from the parking brake lever (see Brakes).
6. Unscrew the vent hose fitting to detach the brake line junction block from the axle tube.
7. Disconnect the brake lines from the clips and brackets on the axle housing. Remove the rear brake calipers (see Brakes). Cau tion: Tie the calipers up with wire to keep any stress off the flexible brake lines.
8. Support the rear axle with a floor jack. If the rear differential is offset to one side, you’ll have to use two jacks – one placed under each axle tube.
9. Remove the lower mounting bolts securing the rear shocks to the axle (see Suspension and steering systems).
10. With the jack (s) supporting the axle, remove the nuts and U-bolts securing the axle to the springs (see illustration).
16.10 The rear axle is retained to each leaf spring by two U-bolts and four nuts
11. Lower the axle assembly and remove it from under the vehicle.
Coil spring models
12. Disconnect the wiring from the rear wheel speed sensors, then unbolt the sensors and remove them.
13. Remove the mounting bolts from the rear brake calipers and hang them out of the way using wire. Take care to avoid putting tension on the brake hoses.
14. Disconnect the vent hose from the axle tube.
15. Disconnect the parking brake cables from the rear brake assemblies (see Brakes).
16. Detach the parking brake cable clamps, then move the cable clear of the rear axle.
17. Remove the bolts from the stabilizer bar clamps (see illustration). Support the bar with wire.
16.17 All suspension components must be detached from the rear axle including shock absorbers (A), track bar (B) and stabilizer bar (C); the control arms mount at the front of the axle
18. Support the center of the axle with a floor jack. Raise the axle enough to avoid fully extending the shock absorbers.
19. Remove the bolts from the lower shock absorber mounts.
20. Unbolt the track bar from the rear axle and secure it out of the way.
21. Remove the bolts that secure the four control arms to the rear axle. Note: Discard all suspension mounting bolts. They should be replaced with new ones (see Suspension and steering systems).
22. With the help of an assistant, slowly lower the rear axle until the coil springs can be removed.
23. Fully lower the axle and remove it from under the vehicle.
Installation
24. Installation is the reverse of removal.
25. Tighten all fasteners to the torques listed in the Chapter Suspension and steering systems Specifications. Tighten the caliper mounting bolts to the torque listed in the Chapter Brakes Specifications. If necessary, check and fill the axle with the specified lubricant (see Tune-up and routine maintenance).