Rear Axle - Replacement

Removal Procedure





1. Raise and support the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Drain the axle lubricant from the rear axle. Refer to Lubricant Change.
3. Disconnect the propeller shaft. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement - One-Piece or Propeller Shaft Replacement - Two-Piece.
4. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Wheels, Tires and Alignment.
5. Disconnect the parking brake cable. Refer to Park Brake Cable Replacement (Left Rear) and Park Brake Cable Replacement (Right Rear) in Parking Brake.
6. Remove the brake calipers. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement - Rear in Disc Brakes.
7. Disconnect the shock absorbers from the axle brackets. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement in Rear Suspension.
8. Remove the vent hose from the rear axle vent fitting. Refer to Vent Hose Replacement.
9. Remove the nuts and the washers from the U-bolts.
10. Remove the U-bolts, the spring plates and the spacers form the axle assembly.
11. Lower the axle assembly.


Installation Procedure





1. Place the rear axle assembly under the vehicle.
2. Align the rear axle assembly with the springs.
3. Connect the spacers, the spring plates and the U-bolts to the rear axle.
4. Raise the rear axle assembly into position.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

5. Install the washers and the nuts to the U-bolts.
^ Tighten the nuts to 80 Nm (59 ft. lbs.).
^ Tighten the nuts to 120 Nm (89 ft. lbs.).
6. Install the vent hose to the rear axle vent fitting. Refer to Vent Hose Replacement.
7. Connect the shock absorbers to the rear axle. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement in Rear Suspension.
8. Install the brake calipers. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement - Rear in Disc Brakes.
9. Connect the parking brake cable. Refer to Park Brake Cable Replacement (Left Rear) and Park Brake Cable Replacement (Right Rear) in Parking Brake.
10. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Wheels, Tires and Alignment.
11. Connect the propeller shaft. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement - One-Piece or Propeller Shaft Replacement - Two-Piece in Propeller Shaft.
12. Fill the rear axle to the following levels.
^ 8.6 inch ring gear rear axles 15 - 40 mm (0.6 - 1.6 inch) below the fill plug.
^ 9.5 and 10.5 inch ring gear rear axles 10 mm (0.4 inch) below the fill plug.
13. Bleed the brake system. Refer to ABS Bleed Procedure.
14. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.