Removal Procedure
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 8 other vehicles, including the 2008 GMC Yukon XL, 2008 GMC Yukon, 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2008 Chevrolet Suburban, and 2008 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 .
- Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
- Remove the brake caliper. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement (1500 Series) or Rear Brake Caliper Replacement (2500 Series) .
- Remove the rear wheel speed sensor.
- For the Hybrid vehicles, refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement .
- For the non Hybrid vehicles (1500 series), refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement .
- For the non Hybrid vehicles (2500 series), refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement .
- Remove the rear axle housing cover and the gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement (8.6 Inch axle) or Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) .
- Remove the pinion shaft locking bolt.
- On axles without a locking differential, remove the pinion shaft.
- On axles with a locking differential, remove the shaft part way. Rotate the case until the pinion shaft touches the housing.
- On axles with a locking differential, use a screwdriver, or a similar tool, in order to enter the differential case and rotate the C-lock (1) until the C-lock aligns with the thrust block (2).
- Push the flange of the axle shaft (1) toward the differential.
- Remove the C-lock from the button end of the axle shaft.
- Remove the axle shaft from the housing.
- If the axle is difficult to remove, use the J 45859 (1) and the J 2619-01 (2) to remove the axle shaft from the housing. See Special Tools .
IMPORTANT:
When removing the axle shaft, do not rotate the shaft. Rotating the shaft will misalign the gears. Misaligning the gears will make the installing of the axle shaft difficult.