Front Axle Service

REMOVAL
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the skid plate, if equipped.
3. Remove skid plate support crossmember.
4. Mark the C/V driveshaft and axle shaft flanges for installation alignment reference.
5. Remove the bolts holding the C/V driveshafts to the axle shaft flanges.
6. Separate the C/V driveshafts from the axle shaft flanges.
7. Mark the propeller shaft, transfer case, and pinion yokes for installation alignment reference.
8. Remove the front propeller shaft.
9. Remove the axle vent tube.
10. Use an adjustable and movable jack to support the differential housing.

Left Side Axle Mounting:

Right Side Axle Mounting:

11. Remove bolts holding the axle to the engine-to-transmission brackets.
12. Remove bolts holding the axle to the engine mounts.
13. Lower the jack and housing.
14. Remove the axle from vehicle.

INSTALLATION
1. Raise the axle into position. Loosely install the bolts and nuts to the brackets.
2. Tighten all the bolts finger-tight, then tighten according to the following specifications:
- Axle to engine mount bolts and nuts to 102 Nm (7 ft. lbs.).
- Axle to engine-to-transmission bracket bolts 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.).
3. Install the axle vent tube.
4. Align the reference marks on the propeller shaft, transfer case, and pinion yokes.
5. Install propeller shaft.
6. Align the reference marks made on the C/V driveshaft and axle flanges.
7. Install the C/V driveshafts to the axle shaft flanges.
8. Install the skid plate support crossmember.
9. Install the skid plate, if necessary. Tighten the bolts to 23 Nm (200 inch lbs.) torque.
10. Adjust the vehicle in a level position. Check the differential housing lubricant level.
11. Check differential lubricant level and add lubricant, if necessary. Refer to Lubricant Specifications for lubricant requirements.
12. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.