Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints: Service and Repair

Axle Shaft Replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle.
2. Remove the rear wheels.
3. Remove the rear drums, if equipped.
4. Remove the rear rotors, if equipped.
5. Remove the axle housing cover.




6. Remove the pinion shaft lock bolt.




7. Remove the pinion shaft.




8. Remove the C-lock from the button end of the axle shaft. Push in the axle shaft toward the center of the vehicle.




9. Remove the axle shaft from the axle housing. Mark the shaft as left or right.

Installation Procedure

1. Lubricate the axle shaft wheel bearing surface and the oil seal surface using axle lubricant.




Important:
- Use the correct axle on the axle's corresponding side.
- Do not damage the oil seal.
- The splined end of the axle shaft must engage the splines of the rear axle side gear.

2. Install the axle shaft into the housing.




3. Install the C-lock on the axle shaft. Pull the axle shaft outward so the C-lock seats in the counterbore of the rear axle side gear.




4. Install the pinion shaft through the case and the pinion.

Important: When reusing the differential pinion shaft locking screw, coat the threads with Loctite 242 before reinstalling. This prevents the screw from loosening in the case.

5. Align the hole in the pinion shaft with the lock bolt hole.




6. Install the new lock bolt.
Tighten
Tighten the lock bolt to 36 N.m (27 lb ft).
7. Install the new gasket on the axle housing cover.
8. Add the axle lubricant to a level of 9.5 mm (3/8 in) from the top of the fill plug hole.
9. Install the rear rotor, if equipped.
10. Install the brake drums, if equipped.
11. Install the tires.
12. Inspect the rear axle operation.