Front Axle - 181FBI

FRONT AXLE 181FBI
REMOVAL
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Position a suitable lifting device under the axle.
3. Secure axle to device.
4. Remove the wheels and tires.
5. Remove brake rotors (Refer to BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL) and calipers (Refer to BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL) and wheel speed sensors (Refer to POWERTRAIN MANAGEMENT) from the steering knuckle, if equipped.
6. Disconnect vent hose from the axle shaft tube.
7. Mark the propeller shaft and yoke for installation alignment reference.
8. Remove propeller shaft.
9. Remove stabilizer bar links at the axle.
10. Remove shock absorbers from axle brackets.
11. Remove track bar.
12. Remove tie rod and drag link from the steering knuckle.
13. Remove steering damper from the axle bracket.
14. Remove upper and lower suspension arms from the axle brackets.
15. Lower the lifting device enough to remove the axle. The coil springs will drop with the axle.
16. Remove the coil springs from the axle.

INSTALLATION

CAUTION: The weight of the vehicle muse be supported by the springs before suspension arms and track bar fasteners can be tightened. If the springs are not at their normal ride position, ride height and handling could be affected.

1. Install the springs and retainer clips. Tighten the retainer bolts to 21 Nm (16 ft. lbs.).
2. Support the axle on a suitable lifting device and position axle under the vehicle.
3. Raise the axle and align it with the spring pads.
4. Position upper and lower suspension arms in the axle brackets. Loosely install bolts and nuts to hold suspension arms to the axle brackets.
5. Connect the vent hose to the axle shaft tube.
6. Install track bar to the axle bracket. Loosely install the bolt to hold the track bar to the axle bracket.
7. Install shock absorbers and tighten the bolts to torque specification.
8. Install stabilizer bar links to the axle brackets and tighten the nut to torque specification.
9. Install drag link and tie rod to the steering knuckles.
10. Install steering damper to the axle bracket and tighten nut to torque specification.
11. Install brake rotors (Refer to BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL) and calipers (Refer to BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL) and wheel speed sensors (Refer to POWERTRAIN MANAGEMENT) to the steering knuckles.
12. Install propeller shaft with marks aligned.
13. Check and fill axle lubricant, refer to the Lubricant for the quantity and type necessary.
14. Install the wheel and tire assemblies.
15. Remove the lifting device from the axle and lower the vehicle.
16. Tighten upper and lower control arm nuts to torque specification.
17. Tighten track bar bolt at the axle bracket to torque specification.
18. Check the front wheel alignment.