Rear Suspension & Axle Carrier: Removal
- Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheels. Remove exhaust system and shielding from floor. Loosen drive shaft clamping nut using 46-mm Open-Ended Wrench (126 589 00 01 00). See Fig 1.
- Unbolt drive shaft intermediate bearing bracket from frame floor. Remove drive shaft coupling from differential flange and wire aside. See Fig 2. Remove lower suspension cover. Loosen stabilizer bar connection at rear axle. Remove stabilizer bar.
- Remove coil springs and shock absorbers. See COIL SPRING and SHOCK ABSORBER . Remove intermediate parking brake lever and disconnect cable controls. Disconnect brake lines and plug all openings.
- Drain gear oil from differential. Remove wheel speed sensor from differential housing. Protect ABS wheel speed sensor magnetic tip and position sensor aside.NOTE: If vehicle is equipped with a level control system, ensure procedure is followed for releasing pressure from shock absorbers. See HYDRAULIC PRESSURE RELEASE .
- On vehicles with auxiliary heater, remove fuel pump bracket and exhaust mounting plate. On vehicles with a level control system, disconnect hydraulic line. On all models, remove water drain hose from rear axle bracket. Using Clamp (000 589 40 37 00), pinch fuel hose between fuel tank and fuel pump. Disconnect fuel line from fuel pump.
- On vehicles with Acceleration Slip Regulation (ASR), disconnect electrical connector at frame floor. Remove ASR wire harness strap. On all models, support axle assembly with a jack. Remove axle carrier bolts from frame floor. Lower rear axle assembly from vehicle.
NOTE:
During installation, use NEW self-locking bolts and/or nuts as necessary. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .