Rear Axle Service
Special tools
Fig. 1 Rear Axle Shaft Assembly Exploded View:
REMOVAL
1. Raise and support rear of vehicle, then remove rear wheel and brake drum.
2. Disconnect rear parking brake cable at equalizer and remove cable retaining bolts and heat shields as needed.
3. Disconnect brake tube from wheel cylinder and plug line and open fitting.
4. Remove 4 nuts securing bearing case, then remove axle shaft, bearing case and brake backing plate as an assembly. Use suitable slide hammer, if necessary, to free assembly from axle housing.
5. Remove O-ring and shims for preloading bearing. Retain shims for reassembly.
Fig. 2 Axle Shaft Bearing Locknut Removal & Installation:
6. Straighten the bent tab of the lock washer with the screwdriver. Disengage lock washer then remove locknut using tool No. MB990785 as shown.
Fig. 3 Rear Axle Shaft Bearing Case Removal:
7. Reinstall locknut on axle shaft approximately 3 turns, then install tool No. MB990787-A and washers as shown. Be sure to install nuts and washers diagonally. Turn nuts with equal pressure to ensure smooth removal of bearing and remove bearing case from shaft.
8. Using hammer and suitable drift, remove bearing outer race from bearing case.
9. Remove inner axle shaft oil seal from housing using suitable puller, and drive outer seal from bearing housing.
INSPECTION
Check the dust cover for deformation and damage.
Check the oil seal for damage.
Check the inner and outer bearing for seizure, discoloration and rough raceway surface.
Check the axle shaft for cracks, wear and damage.
INSTALLATION OF BEARING OUTER RACE
1. Apply wheel bearing grease to outer surface of bearing outer race and to lip of outer oil seal, then drive them into bearing case. MOPAR Multi-milage lubricant, Part No. 2525035 or equivalent.
INSTALLATION OF BEARING INNER RACE/REAR AXLE SHAFT
Apply the specified grease to the roller surfaces of the bearing inner race. MOPAR Multi-milage lubricant, Part No. 2525035 or equivalent
2. Install the rear brake assemble attached with bearing case and the bearing inner race in that order to the axle shaft. Press-fit the bearing inner race into the axle shaft. Pack the bearing case with the specified grease.
INSTALLATION OF WASHER/LOCK WASHER/LOCK NUT
3. Install these parts with care as described below. Apply the specified grease to the thread portion of the axle shaft, to which the locking nut is installed. Align the washer tab with the slot of the axle shaft to install the lock washer as figure . Align the lock washer, lock washer and locknut. Tighten lockwasher tab with the slot of the axle shaft to install the lock washer as figure. Install the lock nut with its chamfering in the directions shown in the illustration.
Fig. 2 Axle Shaft Bearing Locknut Removal & Installation:
Tighten the lock nut to specification using tool No. MB990785, 180-220 N.m (130-159 ft.lbs.) then bend tab on lock washer into groove on locknut. If lock washer does not engage with locknut, slightly retighten locknut.
ADJUSTMENT OF REAR AXLE SHAFT END PLAY
5. Adjust axial play of rear axle shaft as follows:
a. Remove any rust or old sealer from mating surface of bearing case and housing.
b. Insert 1 mm (.04 in.) thick shim and O-ring into left side of housing, and apply silicone rubber sealant to mating face of bearing case.
c. Install left side axle shaft into left side housing and tighten bearing case nuts to specification. [50-60 N.m (36-43 ft.lbs.)].
NOTE: Tighten the nuts in diagonal sequence.
d. Install right side axle shaft into right side housing, without shim or O-ring, and temporarily torque bearing case nuts to 6 Nm (4.3 ft. lbs.). Measure and record gap between bearing case and housing using feeler gauge.
NOTE: Confirm that the measurement values do not differ in the horizontal and vertical positions.
e. Remove right axle shaft from housing, then select shims of the thickness which is equal to the sum of the measured clearance and 0.06-0.20 mm (.0023 -.0079 in.). Insert selected shims and O-ring into housing and apply silicone sealer to mating face of bearing case.
f. Install right side axle shaft into right side housing and tighten bearing case nuts to specification [50-60 N.m (36-43 ft.lbs.)] .
NOTE: Tighten the nuts in diagonal sequence.
Then, using a dial indicator, check axial play. The axial play should be 0.0020-0.0079 inch (0.05-0.20 mm). If specified play is not obtained, change thickness of selected shims and reassemble.
CONNECTIONN OF PARKING BRAKE CABLE END AND REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY Parking Brake System
6. Connect brake tube to wheel cylinder and install rear brake drum and wheel. Brake Bleeding