Side Cover and Gasket Replacement (LH)

Removal Procedure





1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the LH rear tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Steering And Suspension.
3. Remove the LH wheel drive shaft. Refer to Wheel Drive Shafts Replacement .
4. Remove the LH muffler assembly. Refer to Muffler Replacement in Exhaust Systems.
5. Drain the fluid from the rear axle differential. Refer to Lubricant Change.
6. Remove the bolts mounting the damper/tuned absorber to the differential LH side cover.
7. Remove the damper/tuned absorber.





8. Loosen the nut retaining the transmission to the transmission LH mounting stud.
9. Install a second nut onto the stud.
10. Remove the stud from the differential LH side cover.
11. Clean away any dirt or debris from around the edge of the differential LH side cover.
12. Remove the bolts retaining the differential LH side cover.
13. Remove the differential LH side cover from the differential .
14. Remove and discard the O-ring seal from the differential side cover.

Installation Procedure





1. Clean the O-ring sealing surface on the differential side cover and the differential housing.
2. Install a new O-ring seal to the differential side cover.
3. Install the differential side cover to the differential.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

4. Install the differential side cover retaining bolts.
Tighten the differential LH side cover retaining bolts to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).
5. Using two nuts installed on the stud, install the transmission mounting stud to the differential LH side cover.
Tighten the transmission mounting stud to 42 Nm (31 ft. lbs.).
6. Remove the second nut from the transmission mounting stud.
7. Tighten the nut retaining the transmission to the transmission LH mounting stud.
Tighten the differential to transmission nut to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.).





8. Install the damper/tuned absorber to the differential LH side cover.
9. Install the bolts mounting the damper/tuned absorber to the differential LH side cover.
Tighten the damper/tuned absorber mounting bolts to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).
10. Fill the rear axle differential with the proper fluid and to the proper level. Refer to Lubricant Change.
11. Install the LH muffler assembly. Refer to Muffler Replacement in Exhaust Systems.
12. Install the LH wheel drive shaft. Refer to Wheel Drive Shafts Replacement .
13. Install the LH rear tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Steering And Suspension.
14. Lower the vehicle.