Removal Procedure
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 8 other vehicles, including the 2007 GMC Yukon XL, 2007 GMC Yukon, 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2007 Chevrolet Suburban, and 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
- Drain the differential carrier. Refer to Lubricant Replacement - Front Drive Axle .
- Disconnect the actuator electrical connector.
- If only replacing the right side inner shaft and/or housing, follow the steps below. If only replacing the left side inner shaft, process to step 16.
- Disconnect the wire harness from the inner axle housing.
- For vehicles equipped with the 9.25 inch axle, remove the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (1500 Series) or Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (2500 Series) .
- For vehicles equipped with the 8.25 inch axle, remove the front shock module. Refer to Shock Module Replacement .
- Remove the wheel drive shaft flange bolts.
- Disconnect the wheel drive shaft from the inner axle shaft.
- Remove the inner axle housing mounting nuts.
- For the 25/35 series vehicles, perform the following steps in order to provide additional clearance so the inner axle housing can be removed from the vehicle.
- Remove the front axle mounting bracket to frame nuts.
- Slide the front axle mounting bracket towards the engine. It may be necessary to pull down on the inner axle shaft and/or push up on the mounting bracket in order to gain clearance.
- Remove the inner axle shaft mounting bolts.
- Carefully remove the inner axle shaft housing assembly from the differential carrier assembly.
- For the 8.25 inch axle, remove the following components from the inner axle housing:
- Clamp the inner axle shaft housing (4) in a vise. Clamp only on the mounting flange.
- The shiftier fork spring (12)
- The shiftier fork (11)
- The shiftier fork rod (10)
- The shiftier connector gear (9)
- The axle shaft snap ring (8)
- Axle shaft thrust washer (7)
- Axle shaft tabbed thrust washer (6)
- Inner axle shaft housing gasket (5)
- For the 9.25 inch axle, remove the following components from the inner axle shaft housing:
- The clutch fork inner spring (10)
- The clutch fork assembly (11)
- The clutch shaft shim (9)
- The clutch sleeve (8)
- The retainer ring (7)
- The thrust washers (5, 6)
- Remove the inner axle shaft (2). Tap out the inner axle shaft with a soft-faced mallet, if necessary.
- Remove the inner axle seal and the bearing from the axle housing. Refer to Inner Axle Seal and/or Bearing Replacement - Front Drive Axle .
- If only replacing the left side inner axle shaft, perform the following steps:
- Remove the wheel drive shaft inboard flange bolts from the inner axle shaft.
Disconnect the wheel drive shaft from the inner axle shaft.
- Remove the inner axle shaft using a hammer and a brass drift.
- Remove the wheel drive shaft inboard flange bolts from the inner axle shaft.
IMPORTANT:
Support the wheel drive shaft in order to not over flex the CV joint.
IMPORTANT:
Keep the open end of the inner axle housing assembly up.