Rear Axle Assembly - Removal

REMOVAL






NOTE: Before proceeding, Rear Suspension Warnings And Cautions .

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable from its post on the battery.
2. Block the tire and wheels so the vehicle does not move once the vehicle parking brake lever is released.
3. Remove the floor console Floor Console - Removal.
4. Release and lower the parking brake lever (5).
5. Loosen the adjusting nut (4) on the equalizer output cable and disconnect the brake actuation cables from the equalizer.
6. Remove the parking brake cables from the parking brake cable equalizer (3).






NOTE: Perform step 8 through step 27 on each side of the vehicle.

7. Raise and support the vehicle Maintenance.
8. Remove the rear wheel by removing the wheel mounting bolts (1), then the rear tire and wheel assembly.





9. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor cable connector (1) at the body wiring harness connector (2).





10. Remove the brake line fitting (1) from the bracket (2) on axle assembly.





11. Remove parking brake cable from each mounting bracket.
12. Disconnect brake cable end (2) from caliper bracket and slide brake cable through bracket.
13. Remove brake fitting (3) from caliper. Remove brake line from vehicle.





14. Remove hub and bearing dust cap (2).
15. Remove rotor mounting pins (1).





16. Remove caliper mounting bolts (7) and remove the caliper and mounting bracket (6) as an assembly. Support the assembly with a bungee cord or wire. Do not allow the caliper to hang by the flex hose; damage to the hose may occur.
17. Remove the brake rotor (3).
18. Remove the hub nut (1) and washer (2) and remove the hub and bearing (4).





19. On vehicles equipped with antilock brakes, remove the screw (2) securing the antilock brake wheel speed sensor to the hub. Remove the sensor head from the hub.
20. Remove the four bolts (1) securing the spindle to the axle and remove the spindle from the axle.





21. Position a transmission jack or equivalent under the center of the axle raising it enough to support the axle.
22. Remove the shock absorber lower mounting bolt (4).
23. Remove the shock absorber upper mounting bolt (2), then remove the shock absorber (3) from the vehicle.
24. Lower the transmission jack until coil spring (1) can be removed from the axle.
25. Remove the coil spring (1) and rubber isolators.





26. Mark the location of the axle mounting bracket (1) with a paint marker or equivalent.
27. With a transmission jack under the axle, remove the three bolts (2) securing the axle assembly mounting brackets to the body of the vehicle.
28. Remove the axle from the vehicle.