Front Axle - 181FBI

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

INSTALLATION

CAUTION: The weight of the vehicle must 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 springs and retainers and tighten retainer bolts to 21 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).
2. Position axle under the vehicle and align it with the spring pads.
3. Install upper and lower suspension arms in the axle brackets and loosely install bolts and nuts.
4. Connect the vent hose to the axle shaft tube.
5. Install track bar to the axle bracket and loosely install the bolt.
6. Install shock absorbers and tighten the bolts to torque specification.
7. Install stabilizer bar links to the axle brackets and tighten the nut to torque specification.
8. Install drag link and tie rod and tighten nut to torque specification
9. Install steering damper to the axle bracket and tighten nut to torque specification.
10. Install brake rotors, calipers and wheel speed sensors if equipped.
11. Install propeller shaft with marks aligned.
12. Check and fill axle lubricant if necessary.
13. Install the wheel and tire assemblies.
14. Remove lift from the axle and lower the vehicle.
15. Tighten upper and lower control arm nuts to torque specification.
16. Tighten track bar bolt at the axle bracket to torque specification.
17. Check the front wheel alignment.