Removal

1. Raise vehicle and place jackstands under rear frame crossmember. Lower the hoist so that the rear axle housing is at suitable working height.
2. Remove axle housing cover from the rear axle housing and drain lubricant.
3. Perform the inspection before disassembly.
4. Remove rear wheel, rear disc brake calipers and rear disc brake rotors.
5. Remove rear brake anti-lock sensor located in rear disc brake caliper anchor plate.

Rear Axle Removal:

6. Working with axle housing cover removed remove differential pinion shaft lock pin and remove the differential pinion shaft and differential pinion gears.
7. Push axle shaft inward until U-washers at button end of the axle shaft are clear of the differential side gear recess.





8. Remove U-washers and pull axle shafts out of the rear axle housing.

CAUTION: Do not damage inner wheel bearing oil seal or rear brake anti-lock sensor indicator when removing axle shafts from rear axle housing. In addition, axle shafts should be completely removed from rear axle housing.





9. Mark the driveshaft centering socket yoke and rear axle universal joint flange to make sure alignment is proper at assembly. Disconnect driveshaft from rear axle universal joint flange. Remove driveshaft assembly from vehicle. Insert Extension Housing Seal Replacer TOOL-7657-A in the transmission extension housing to prevent leakage.





10. Mark one differential bearing cap to help position the caps properly during assembly.

CAUTION: Bearing caps MUST be installed in their original positions during assembly. Note direction of arrows on caps.

11. Loosen differential bearing cap bolts and bearing caps.





12. Pry differential case, differential bearing cups and differential bearing shims out until they are loose in the bearing caps. Remove bearing caps and remove differential case from rear axle housing.





13. Inspect the differential bearings and differential bearing cups for damage. If damaged, remove the differential bearings using Puller-Differential Side Bearing T77F-4220-B1.





14. Install differential bearings using Differential Side Bearing Replacer T57L-4221-A2.