Removal and Replacement

Fig. 1 Front Drive Axle Removal & Installation:

1. Remove cotter pin, locknut and spring washer, then while applying brakes, loosen hub nut.
2. Disconnect battery ground cable, then raise and support vehicle and drain axle lubricant into suitable container. Remove skid plate.
3. Remove axle shafts using following procedure:
a. Remove hub nut, washer, wheel and tire assembly.
b. Remove six axle flange to axle shaft inner CV (constant velocity) joint attaching bolts.
c. Support CV joint housing, then remove axle shaft from hub by pulling on outer CV joint.
4. Remove front driveshaft.
5. Disconnect vacuum lines and wire from switch on disconnect housing assembly.
6. Support axle housing assembly with suitable jack, then remove attaching bolts and lower axle housing assembly from vehicle.
7. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Tighten axle housing assembly attaching bolts to values shown.
b. Torque driveshaft universal joint brackets to axle flange bolts to 170 inch lbs. Torque driveshaft universal joint brackets to transfer case flange to 300 inch lbs.
c. Torque inner axle shaft CV joint to axle flange attaching bolts to 65 ft-lbs.
d. Torque skid plate attaching bolts to 200 inch lbs.