Rear Axle Replacement (9.5/10.5 Inch Axle)

Rear Axle Replacement (9.5/10.5 Inch Axle)

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
2. Place jack stands in the front of the vehicle.
3. Drain the rear axle of fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (8.0/8.6 Inch Axle) (Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (8.0/8.6 Inch Axle))Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) (Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle)) .
4. Remove the tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair) .
5. Remove the rear propeller shaft. Refer to Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement (Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement) .
6. Remove the vent hose from the rear axle.




7. Remove the mounting bolt and the rear brake junction block from the rear axle housing.




8. Remove the retaining bolt for the rear brake line from the rear axle housing.
9. Remove the rear wheel speed sensors from the rear axle. Refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement .
10. Remove the rear brake calipers and relocate to the side. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement (1500 Series) Rear Brake Caliper Replacement (2500 Series) .
11. Remove the rear park brake cables from the rear brake calipers.

* For the left side, refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side .
* For the right side, refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side .

12. Remove the rear shock absorber lower mounting bolts and nuts from the mounting brackets. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement (1500) ()Shock Absorber Replacement (2500) (Shock Absorber Replacement (2500)) .
13. Remove the stabilizer shaft from the rear axle, if equipped. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (Rear Suspension) .
14. Support the rear axle assembly with a suitable hydraulic jack stand.

Important: In the following service procedure, it is not necessary to remove the rear drive axle U-bolts. Allow the U-bolts to remain on the rear leaf springs.


15. Remove the U-bolt nuts, anchor plates and spacers from the rear leaf springs. Refer to Leaf Spring Replacement (2500) (Rear Suspension Leaf Spring) .




16. With the aide of an assistant, lower the rear axle assembly and remove from the vehicle.
17. Transfer parts, if needed.



Installation Procedure





1. With the aide of an assistant, lift the rear drive axle into place.
2. Align the U-bolts, nuts, anchor plates and spacers from the rear leaf springs to the rear drive axle. Refer to Leaf Spring Replacement (2500) (Rear Suspension Leaf Spring) .
3. Install the rear shock absorber lower mounting bolts and nuts in the mounting brackets. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement (1500) ()Shock Absorber Replacement (2500) (Shock Absorber Replacement (2500)) .
4. Remove the hydraulic jack from the rear drive axle.





Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice .

5. Install the rear brake junction block and mounting bolt on the rear axle housing.

Tighten the mounting bolt to 22 N.m (16 lb ft).





6. Install the rear brake line retaining bolt on the rear axle housing.

Tighten the mounting bolt to 22 N.m (16 lb ft).

7. Install the rear drive axle vent hose.
8. Install the rear stabilizer shaft on the rear drive axle. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (Rear Suspension) .
9. Install the rear wheel speed sensors. Refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement .
10. Install the rear brake calipers. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement (1500 Series) Rear Brake Caliper Replacement (2500 Series) .
11. Install the rear park brake cables on the rear brake calipers.

* For the left side, refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side .
* For the right side, refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side .

12. Install the rear propeller shaft. Refer to Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement (Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement) .
13. Fill the rear drive axle with fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (8.0/8.6 Inch Axle) (Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (8.0/8.6 Inch Axle))Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) (Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle)) .
14. Install the tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair) .
15. Remove the jack stands from the from of the vehicle.
16. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.