Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints: Service and Repair
Axle
NOTE: RH side shown, LH side similar
Removal
NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital components and systems and their failure may result in major service expense. New parts must be installed with the same part numbers or equivalent part, if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.
1. Remove the wheels and tires.
2. Secure the brake drum, wheel spindle and backing plate assemblies using mechanic's wire. Remove and discard the 8 wheel spindle bolts.
3. NOTICE: Use a strap to secure the axle to the jack. Failure to follow this instruction may result in damage to vehicle components.
Using a suitable transmission jack, support the rear axle.
4. Remove and discard the 2 shock absorber lower nuts and bolts and detach the shock absorbers from the axle.
5. NOTICE: Do not use power tools to remove or install the stabilizer bar link nuts. Damage to the stabilizer bar link ball joints and boots may occur.
NOTICE: Do not hold the stabilizer bar link boot with any tool or damage to the boot may occur.
NOTE: Use the hex-holding feature to prevent the ball stud from turning while removing or installing the stabilizer bar link nut.
Remove and discard the 2 stabilizer bar link lower nuts and detach the links from the axle.
6. Remove and discard the 8 U-bolt nuts and 4 U-bolts.
- Remove the axle.
Installation
NOTICE: Do not tighten the suspension fasteners until the installation procedure is complete and the weight of the vehicle is resting on the wheel and tire assemblies or incorrect clamp load and bushing damage may occur.
1. NOTICE: Use a suitable strap to secure the axle to the jack. Failure to follow this instruction may result in damage to vehicle components.
Using the transmission jack, position the axle and install the 4 U-bolts and 8 nuts.
- Tighten the nuts until snug.
2. NOTICE: Do not use power tools to remove or install the stabilizer bar link nuts. Damage to the stabilizer bar link ball joints and boots may occur.
NOTICE: Do not hold the stabilizer bar link boot with any tool or damage to the boot may occur.
NOTE: Use the hex-holding feature to prevent the ball stud from turning while removing or installing the stabilizer bar link nut.
Attach the stabilizer bar links to the axle and loosely install the 2 stabilizer bar link lower nuts.
3. Position the shock absorbers and loosely install the 2 shock absorber lower bolts and nuts.
4. Position the brake drum, wheel spindle and backing plate assemblies and install the 8 new wheel spindle bolts.
- Tighten the bolts to 120 Nm (89 lb-ft).
5. Remove the strap and jack.
6. Install the wheels and tires.
7. Lower the vehicle until the weight of the vehicle is resting on the wheels and tires (curb height).
8. NOTE: Tighten the U-bolt nuts evenly in an cross-type pattern.
Tighten the U-bolt nuts to 125 Nm (92 lb-ft).
9. Tighten the stabilizer bar link lower nuts to 100 Nm (74 lb-ft).
10. Tighten the shock absorber lower bolts to 85 Nm (63 lb-ft).