Rear Axle - Replacement

Removal Procedure
1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Support the rear axle housing in order to relieve tension on the leaf springs.
3. Remove the rear tires and wheels assembly.
4. Remove the rear brake drums. Refer to Brake Shoe Replacement in Brakes and Traction Control.
5. Remove the rear brake rotors, if equipped. Refer to Brake Pads Replacement-Rear in Brakes and Traction Control.
6. Remove the rear brake hose mounting bracket bolt at the axle housing. Refer to Brake Hose Replacement-Rear in Brakes and Traction Control.
7. Remove the rear park brake cables. Refer to Park Brake Cable Replacement-Rear (ROOD Pickups) or Park Brake Cable Replacement-Rear (4WD Pickups and Utilities) in Brakes and Traction Control.
8. Remove right rear park brake cable from the cable guide on the rear axle.
9. Remove the rear backing plates. Refer to Brake Backing Plate Replacement in Brakes and Traction Control.
10. Remove rear axle vibration dampener, if equipped. Refer to Axle Vibration Damper Replacement (Zing).
11. Remove the lower part of the shock absorbers. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement.

Important: Do not remove propeller shaft from the slip yoke.

12. Remove the propeller shaft attached to the rear drive axle. Refer to the appropriate procedure:
^ Propeller Shaft Replacement-Rear
^ Propeller Shaft Replacement-Two Piece

13. Secure the propeller shaft out of the way in order not put stress on the universal joints.
14. Remove the rear leaf springs. Refer to Leaf Spring Replacement in Rear Suspension.

Important: Do not remove vent hose attached to frame.

15. Disconnect the vent hose from the rear axle housing. Refer to Vent Hose Replacement.
16. Lower the axle from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure
1. Raise the rear drive axle to a height in order to install the rear leaf springs.
2. Install the rear leaf springs. Refer to Leaf Spring Replacement in Rear Suspension.
3. Connect the vent hose to the axle housing. Refer to Vent Hose Replacement.
4. Line up the previously made marks on the propeller shaft with the marks on the pinion flange.
5. Install the propeller shaft. Refer to the appropriate procedure:
^ Propeller Shaft Replacement-Rear
^ Propeller Shaft Replacement-Two Piece

6. Install the rear axle damper. Refer to Axle Vibration Damper Replacement (ZR2).
7. Install the rear backing plates. Refer to Brake Backing Plate Replacement in Brakes and Traction Control.
8. Install the right rear park brake cable in the cable guide on the rear axle.
9. Connect the park brake cables. Refer to Park Brake Cable Replacement-Rear (ROOD Pickups) or Park Brake Cable Replacement-Rear (4WD Pickups and Utilities) in Brakes and Traction Control.
10. Install the rear brake drums. Refer to Brake Shoe Replacement in Brakes and Traction Control.
11. Install the rear brake rotors, if equipped. Refer to Brake Pads Replacement-Rear in Brakes and Traction Control.
12. Install the rear tires and wheels assembly.
13. Add lubricant to the rear axle housing. Refer to Lubrication Specifications.
14. Bleed the brakes system. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding in Brakes and Traction Control.
15. Lower vehicle.
16. Test drive vehicle and check for leaks.