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 .
- Drain the differential carrier. Refer to Front Axle Lubricant Replacement .
- 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, proceed to step 19.
- Disconnect the wire harness from the inner axle housing.
- For vehicles equipped with the 8.25 inch axle, remove the front shock module. Refer to Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement .
- For vehicles equipped with the 9.25 inch axle, remove the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (2500) or Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (1500) .
- Remove the wheel drive shaft flange bolts.
- Disconnect the wheel drive shaft from the inner axle shaft.
- Remove the inner axle housing mounting nuts.
- Remove the front axle mounting bracket to frame nuts.
- Slide the front axle mounting bracket towards the engine.
- 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.
- Shifter fork spring (12)
- Shifter fork (11)
- Shifter fork rod (10)
- Shifter connector gear (9)
- 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:
- Clutch fork inner spring (9)
- Clutch fork assembly (10)
- Clutch shaft shim (8)
- Clutch sleeve (7)
- Retainer ring (6)
- Thrust washers (5)
- Using a soft-faced mallet (if necessary), remove the inner axle shaft (2).
- Remove the inner axle seal and the bearing from the axle housing. Refer to Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft Seal and Inner Shaft Bearing Replacement .
- Remove the wheel drive shaft inboard flange bolts from the inner axle shaft.
- Disconnect the wheel drive shaft from the inner axle shaft.
- Using a hammer and a brass drift, remove the inner axle shaft.
IMPORTANT:
Support the wheel drive shaft in order to not over flex the constant velocity (CV) joint.
IMPORTANT:
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.
IMPORTANT:
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.
IMPORTANT:
Keep the open end of the inner axle housing assembly up.
IMPORTANT:
If only replacing the left side inner axle shaft, perform the following steps.