Drive Axle, Removing And Installing: Removing

-- Before starting the procedures, determine the curb weight position. Refer to VEHICLES WITH COIL SPRINGS, CHECKING THE CURB WEIGHT POSITION FOR AXLE ALIGNMENT .

-- Loosen the drive axle threaded connection. Refer to DRIVE AXLE THREADED CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

-- Remove the wheel. Refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .

-- Remove the coil spring. Refer to SPRING, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the stabilizer bar. Refer to STABILIZER BAR, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

Vehicles with left level control system sensor 

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-- Remove the bolts -1- and free up the linkage -2- for the rear level control system sensor.

Vehicles with stone chip protection 

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-- Remove the expanding rivets -1-.

-- Remove the bolts -2- and the stone chip protection -3-.

Continuation for all vehicles 

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-- Remove the nut -3- and the bolt -4-.

-- Remove the bolt -1- for the tie rod -2-.

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-- Detach the drive axle from the rear final drive -arrows-.

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-- Tilt the wheel bearing housing outward and remove the drive axle from the rear final drive.

-- Remove the hub from the drive axle outer joint.

TIP: 

If the components cannot be separated, press the drive axle out of the wheel bearing. Refer to DRIVE AXLE, PRESSING OUT OF WHEEL BEARING .