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Axle Housing Assembly

Removal & Installation

Rear Drive Axle/Differential (7.5-Inch)

To Remove:

  1. To remove the rear stabilizer bar on vehicles equipped with rear stabilizer bars, do the following:
  2. Remove the drive pinion.
  3. Disconnect the rear brake anti-lock sensor electrical connector and the wiring harness clips.
  4. Disconnect the vent hose from the axle.
  5. Separate the brake lines from the retaining clips on the axle.

    NOTE: Do not disconnect the brake lines from the brake hose junction block.

  6. Disconnect the rear brake drum backing plates and wire them out of the way.
  7. Position a suitable jack under the differential housing and strap it securely in place.
  8. Remove the two lower shock absorber nuts and bolts. Torque to 50 ft-lb (68 Nm).
  9. To remove the rear axle U-bolt assembly, do the following:
  10. Lower the rear axle from the vehicle.

To Install:

  1. Place the rear axle into the vehicle.
  2. To install the rear axle U-bolt assembly, do the following:
  3. Remove the two lower shock absorber nuts and bolts. Torque to 50 ft-lb (68 Nm).
  4. Position a suitable jack under the differential housing and strap it securely in place.
  5. Connect the rear brake drum backing plates. Torque 45 ft-lb (61 Nm).
  6. Connect the brake hose junction block onto the rear axle housing. Torque to 14 ft-lb (18 Nm).
  7. Put the brake lines back into their original position.
  8. Connect the vent hose from the axle.
  9. Connect the rear brake anti-lock sensor electrical connector and the wiring harness clips.
  10. Install the drive pinion.
  11. To install the rear stabilizer bar on vehicles equipped with rear stabilizer bars, do the following:
Rear Drive Axle/Differential (8.8-Inch)

To Remove:

  1. To remove the rear stabilizer bar on vehicles that have rear stabilizer bars, do the following:
  2. Remove the drive pinion.
  3. Disconnect the rear brake anti-lock sensor electrical connector from the sensor. Separate the wiring harness from the clips and position the harness aside.
  4. Disconnect the vent hose from the axle.
  5. Separate the brake lines from the retaining clips on the axle.

    NOTE: Do not disconnect the brake lines from the brake hose junction block.

  6. Disconnect the brake hose junction block from the differential housing.
  7. Disconnect the rear brake backing plates from the axle. Wire the assemblies aside.
  8. Place an appropriate jack under the differential housing and strap it securely in place.
  9. Remove the nuts and bolts fastening the shock absorbers onto the axle.
  10. Remove the nuts, the rear axle U-bolts and the rear spring plates.
  11. Lower the rear axle from the vehicle.

To Install:

  1. Raise the rear axle into the vehicle.
  2. Install the rear spring plates, the rear axle U-bolts, and the nuts. Tighten the nuts to 76 ft-lb (103 Nm).
  3. Install the nuts and bolts fastening the shock absorbers onto the axle. Torque to 50 ft-lb (68 Nm).
  4. Unstrap the differential housing and remove the jack.
  5. Connect the rear brake backing plates onto the axle.
  6. Connect the brake hose junction block onto the differential housing. Torque to 14 ft-lb (18 Nm).
  7. Place the brake lines from the retaining clips on the axle back into their original position.
  8. Connect the vent hose to the axle.
  9. Connect the rear brake anti-lock sensor electrical connector to the sensor. Put the wiring harness back into its original position.
  10. Install the drive pinion.
  11. To install the rear stabilizer bar on vehicles equipped with rear stabilizer bars, do the following:

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