Differential Axle Housing: Service and Repair

Removal
1. Raise rear of vehicle with a suitable jack under differential carrier and position jackstand under jack bracket on each side of vehicle. Remove rear wheel assemblies and one brake drum.
2. Disconnect parking brake cable equalizer and return spring from brake rod.
3. Disconnect parking brake cable from actuator lever and backing plate at wheel with brake drum removed. Disconnect cable from lower control arm brackets and pull loose end over exhaust system.
4. Disconnect shock absorbers at lower end.
5. Disconnect track rod at left end.
6. On vehicles equipped with a stabilizer rod, disconnect the shackles at rear axle housing.
7. Disconnect universal joint from pinion flange and support propeller shaft aside after marking mating areas. If propeller shaft is removed, install plug in rear of transmission to prevent loss of lubricant.
8. Disconnect brake hose from brake pipe at differential and remove retaining clip.
9. Lower rear axle assembly to remove coil springs.
10. Remove central joint support bracket to underbody retaining bolts.
11. Disconnect lower control arms at rear axle assembly and roll the assembly from under vehicle.


Installation
1. Roll rear axle assembly under car on floor jack and loosely attach lower control arms to rear axle housing.
2. Attach central joint support to underbody with bolts only finger tight.
3. Lower rear axle assembly, install lower damper rings in spring seats, coil springs and upper damper rings on springs. Make certain the damper rings and springs are properly positioned.
4. Install track rod on axle housing.
5. Place a load of approximately 350 lbs. in luggage compartment and raise rear axle far enough for underbody to clear jackstands.
6. Torque central joint support to underbody bolts to 36 ft. lbs.
7. Torque lower control arm to axle housing bolts to 29 ft. lbs.
8. Torque track rod to rear axle attaching nut to 54 ft. lbs. and remove added weight.
9. Install shock absorbers and tighten nuts to 29 ft. lbs.
10. If vehicle is equipped with stabilizer rod, connect shackles to axle housing. Tighten to 25 ft. lbs.
11. Connect brake hose to brake pipe and install retaining clip.
12. Route parking brake cable over exhaust system and connect to lower control arm brackets, parking brake actuating lever and brake backing plate. Install brake drum.
13. Align mating marks and connect propeller shaft to pinion flange. Tighten universal joint attaching bolts to 18 ft. lbs. Bend respective lock plate tabs to secure nuts or bolts.
14. Connect parking brake cable equalizer and return spring to brake rod and adjust parking brake.
15. Bleed rear brake system and fill master cylinder.
16. Install wheel assemblies and torque lug nuts to 65 ft. lbs.
17. Remove jackstands and lower vehicle.