Rear Axle Replacement

Rear Axle Replacement

Removal Procedure

Important: If the vehicle is equipped with an air suspension the system will need to be depressurized. Refer to Air Suspension Depressurization (Air Suspension Depressurization).

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
2. Place safety stands (such as GMDE 123-B67313) at the front-end of the vehicle.
3. Support the rear axle with safety stands.
4. Remove the rear tires and the rear wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
5. Disconnect the rear axle vent tube.
6. Remove the rear propeller shaft. Refer to Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement (Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement).
7. Disconnect the left rear cable of the park brake from the rear axle. Refer to Parking Brake Cable Replacement (Park Brake Cable Replacement).
8. Disconnect the right rear cable of the park brake from the rear axle. Refer to Parking Brake Cable Replacement (Park Brake Cable Replacement).
9. Remove the caliper assemblies from the rear axle. Refer to Front Brake Caliper Replacement (Front Brake Caliper Replacement).
10. Remove the stabilizer shaft from the rear axle. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (Rear Suspension).
11. Remove the coil springs. Refer to Coil Spring Replacement (Rear Suspension Coil Spring).
12. Disconnect the rear axle tie rod from the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Tie Rod Replacement (Rear Suspension).
13. Disconnect the lower control arms from the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Lower Control Arm Replacement (Rear Axle Lower Control Arm Replacement).
14. Disconnect the upper control arms from the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Upper Control Arm Replacement (Rear Axle Upper Control Arm Replacement).
15. Remove the rear-axle assembly from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure

1. Install the rear-axle assembly to the vehicle.
2. Connect the upper control arm to the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Upper Control Arm Replacement (Rear Axle Upper Control Arm Replacement).
3. Connect the lower control arm to the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Lower Control Arm Replacement (Rear Axle Lower Control Arm Replacement).
4. Connect the rear axle tie rod to the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Tie Rod Replacement (Rear Suspension).
5. Install the coil springs. Refer to Coil Spring Replacement (Rear Suspension Coil Spring).
6. Install the stabilizer shaft to the rear axle. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (Rear Suspension).
7. Install the caliper assemblies to the rear axle. Refer to Front Brake Caliper Replacement (Front Brake Caliper Replacement).
8. Connect the right rear cable of the park brake to the rear axle. Refer to Parking Brake Cable Replacement (Park Brake Cable Replacement).
9. Connect the left rear cable of the park brake to the rear axle. Refer to Parking Brake Cable Replacement (Park Brake Cable Replacement).
10. Install the propeller. Refer to Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement (Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement).
11. Connect the rear axle vent tube.
12. Install the rear tires and the rear wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
13. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid.
14. Remove the safety stands.
15. Lower the vehicle.