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Axle Shaft: Service and Repair




Rear Axle Shaft Replacement

Special Tools
* J 2619-01 - Slide Hammer W/1/2 x 13 Adapter
* J 45859 - Axle Shaft Remover/Installer

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools (Rear Drive Axle).

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
3. Remove the wheel speed sensor.

* For Hybrid vehicles, refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement (Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement).
* For non Hybrid vehicles (1500 series), refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement (Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement).
* For non Hybrid vehicles (2500 series), refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement (Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement).

4. Remove the rear brake drum, if equipped. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement (Removal and Replacement).
5. Remove the brake caliper mounting bracket, if equipped. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement (JD9) (Rear Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement (JD9))Rear Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement (J90, J95, J96) (Rear Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement (J90, J95, J96)).
6. Remove the rear axle housing cover and gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement (8.6, 9.5 Inch Axles) (Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement (8.6, 9.5 Inch Axles))Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement (10.5/11.5 Inch Axle) (Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement (10.5/11.5 Inch Axle)).




7. Remove the and discard differential pinion gear shaft bolt.





Note: For those vehicles NOT equipped with the locking differential proceed to step 8. If the vehicle is equipped WITH the locking differential, proceed to step 9 and 10.

8. Remove the differential pinion gear shaft.





Note: Rotate the differential case until the differential pinion shaft just touches the rear axle housing.

9. Remove the differential pinion gear shaft part way from the differential case.




10. Use a screw driver, or similar tool to rotate the lock (1) until the lock (1) aligns with the thrust block.
11. Push in on the rear axle shaft (2) and remove the lock (1).





Note: If the rear axle shaft is difficult to remove, proceed to step 14.

12. Remove the rear drum brake axle shaft (2) from the rear axle assembly (1), if equipped.





Note: If the rear axle shaft is difficult to remove, proceed to step 14.

13. Remove the rear disc brake axle shaft (1) from the rear axle assembly (2), if equipped




14. Using the J 2619-01 - hammer (2) and the J 45859 - remover/installer (1), remove the rear axle shaft from the rear axle assembly.
15. Replace the rear axle shaft seal and or bearing, if needed. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Seal and/or Bearing Replacement (Rear Axle Shaft Seal and/or Bearing Replacement).

Installation Procedure





Note: When installing the rear axle shaft, ensure that the seal is not damaged.

1. Install the disc brake axle shaft (1) in the rear axle assembly (2), if equipped.




2. Install the drum brake axle shaft (2) in the rear axle assembly (1), if equipped.





Note: In steps 3 and 4, pull out on the axle shaft after the lock has been installed to ensure that the lock is seated properly.

3. Install the lock (1) in the rear axle (2), without a locking differential.




4. Install the lock (1) on the rear axle shaft (3), with a locking differential.





Note: On axles with a locking differential, keep the differential pinion shaft slightly withdrawn.

5. Install the differential pinion gear shaft.





Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

6. Install the NEW differential pinion gear shaft bolt and tighten to 34 Nm (25 lb ft) for the 8.6 inch axle and 50 Nm (37 lb ft) for the 9.5 inch axle.

Note: End play is the in and out movement of the rear axle shaft. Radial play is the up and own movement in the rear axle shaft.

7. Check the rear axle shaft end play and the radial play. The rear axle shaft end play should be 0.012 inch per side and the radial play should be 0.002-0.003 inch. If the rear axle shaft is NOT within the specifications, replace any excessively worn parts.
8. Install the rear axle housing cover and gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement (8.6, 9.5 Inch Axles) (Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement (8.6, 9.5 Inch Axles))Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement (10.5/11.5 Inch Axle) (Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement (10.5/11.5 Inch Axle)).
9. Install the wheel speed sensor.

* For Hybrid vehicles, refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement (Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement).
* For non Hybrid vehicles (1500 series), refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement (Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement).
* For non Hybrid vehicles (2500 series), refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement (Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement).

10. Install the brake caliper mounting bracket, if equipped. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement (JD9) (Rear Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement (JD9))Rear Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement (J90, J95, J96) (Rear Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement (J90, J95, J96)).
11. Install the rear brake drum, if equipped. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement (Removal and Replacement).
12. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
13. Remove the support and lower the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).

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