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Home >> GMC Truck >> 2011 >> Sierra 1500 4WD V8-5.3L >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Transmission and Drivetrain >> Differential Assembly >> Service and Repair >> Removal and Replacement >> Rear Drive Axle >> Rear Axle Replacement (15 Series With Drum Brakes)

Rear Axle Replacement (15 Series With Drum Brakes)




Rear Axle Replacement (15 Series With Drum Brakes)

Removal Procedure




1. Raise support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
2. Place jack or utility stands (such as GMDE 123-B67313) at the front end of the vehicle.
3. Drain the axle lubricant from the rear axle. Refer to Differential Oil Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) (Differential Oil Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle))Differential Oil Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle) (Differential Oil Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle))Differential Oil Replacement (11.5 Inch Axle) (Differential Oil Replacement (11.5 Inch Axle))Differential Oil Replacement (9.5LD Inch Axle) (Differential Oil Replacement (9.5LD Inch Axle)).
4. Disconnect the propeller shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement (One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement).
5. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
6. Disconnect the parking brake cable. Refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (JD9) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (JD9))Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (JF3, JF7, JG4) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (JF3, JF7, JG4))Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (J95, J96 Pickup) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (J95, J96 Pickup))Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (J90, J96 Chassis Cab) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (J90, J96 Chassis Cab)) and Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (JD9) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (JD9))Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (JF3, JF7, JG4) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (JF3, JF7, JG4))Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (J95, J96 Pickup) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (J95, J96 Pickup))Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (J90, J96 Chassis Cab) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (J90, J96 Chassis Cab)).
7. Remove the brake line bracket bolts. Suspend the brake lines from the vehicle with heavy mechanics wire.
8. Disconnect the shock absorbers from the axle brackets. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement (1500) (Shock Absorber Replacement (1500))Shock Absorber Replacement (2500, 3500) (Shock Absorber Replacement (2500, 3500)).
9. Remove the vent hose from the rear axle vent fitting. Refer to Vent Hose Replacement (Vent Hose Replacement).
10. Remove the nuts and the washers from the U-bolts.
11. Remove the U-bolts, the spring plates and the spacers from the axle assembly.
12. 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.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

5. Install the washers if equipped and the nuts to the U-bolts.

The nuts in a criss cross pattern to 72 Nm (53 lb ft).

6. Install the vent hose to the rear axle vent fitting. Refer to Vent Hose Replacement (Vent Hose Replacement).
7. Connect the shock absorbers to the rear axle. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement (1500) (Shock Absorber Replacement (1500))Shock Absorber Replacement (2500, 3500) (Shock Absorber Replacement (2500, 3500)).
8. Install the brake lines and the brake line bracket bolts to the axle.
9. Connect the parking brake cable. Refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (JD9) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (JD9))Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (JF3, JF7, JG4) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (JF3, JF7, JG4))Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (J95, J96 Pickup) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (J95, J96 Pickup))Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (J90, J96 Chassis Cab) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (J90, J96 Chassis Cab)) and Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (JD9) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (JD9))Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (JF3, JF7, JG4) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (JF3, JF7, JG4))Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (J95, J96 Pickup) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (J95, J96 Pickup))Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (J90, J96 Chassis Cab) (Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (J90, J96 Chassis Cab)).
10. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
11. Connect the propeller shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement (One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement).
12. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities ([1][2]Maintenance) and Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations (Maintenance).
13. Remove the utility stands.
14. Lower the vehicle.

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