Rear Axle - 8 1/4
Removal and Installation - Rear Axle 8 1/4 InchREMOVAL
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Position a lift/jack under the axle and secure axle to device.
3. Remove wheels and tires.
4. Mark propeller shaft and pinion yoke for installation reference.
5. Remove propeller shaft and suspend under the vehicle.
6. Remove brake drums, parking brake cables and speed sensor from the axle.
7. Disconnect the brake hose at the body junction block.
8. Remove brakes and backing plates.
9. Remove vent hose from the axle shaft tube.
10. Remove the stabilizer bar.
11. Remove upper control arm ball joint pinch bolt from bracket.
12. Remove shock absorbers from axle brackets.
13. Loosen all lower control arms mounting bolts.
14. Lower axle enough to remove coil springs and spring insulators.
15. Remove lower control arm bolts from the axle brackets.
16. Lower and remove the axle.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: The weight of the vehicle must be supported by the springs before the lower control arms are tightened. This must be done to maintain vehicle ride height and prevent premature bushing failure.
1. Raise the axle under the vehicle.
2. Install lower control arms onto the axle brackets and loosely install the mounting bolts.
3. Install coil spring isolators and spring.
4. Raise axle up until springs are seated.
5. Install upper control arm ball joint into axle bracket and tighten pinch bolt to torque specification.
6. Install shock absorbers and tighten nuts to torque specification.
7. Install stabilizer bar and tighten nuts to torque specification.
8. Install brake backing plates, parking brake cables, brake drums and speed sensor.
9. Install brake hose to the body junction block and bleed the brakes.
10. Install axle vent hose.
11. Install propeller shaft with reference marks.
12. Install the wheels and tires.
13. Add gear lubricant to specifications, if necessary.
14. Remove lifting device from axle and lower the vehicle.
15. Tighten the lower control arm bolts to torque specification.