Rear Suspension & Axle Carrier: Removal
- Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheels. Disconnect oxygen sensor connector. Disconnect exhaust system from exhaust manifold. Remove exhaust system from under vehicle.
- Loosen drive shaft clamping nut using 46-mm Wrench Adapter (126 589 00 01 00). Loosen drive shaft intermediate bearing bracket bolts from frame floor. Remove drive shaft coupling from differential flange, and wire aside.
- Remove intermediate parking brake lever and disconnect cable controls. Disconnect both brakelines and plug all openings. Remove coil springs and shock absorbers. See COIL SPRING
and SHOCK ABSORBER
.
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 all vehicles, remove fuel pump assembly cover. Disconnect electrical connection near fuel pump assembly. On vehicles equipped with a level control system, remove level controller with bracket from rear axle carrier. See Fig 1
.
Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.
- On vehicles with automatic locking differential (ASD), bleed ASD hydraulic system pressure. See HYDRAULIC PRESSURE RELEASE
. Disconnect hydraulic line from differential. See Figure
. Plug hydraulic line openings to prevent contamination.
- On all vehicles, disconnect fuel supply hose to fuel pump. Plug fuel supply hose to prevent fuel from leaking. Remove fuel supply hose with grommets from rear axle carrier.
- Disconnect stabilizer bar from rear suspension and axle assembly (if equipped). Ensure all electrical connections are disconnected from rear suspension and axle assembly. Using a jack, support rear suspension and axle assembly.
- Remove rear axle carrier bolts. Remove rear axle carrier bolts with stop plates. Carefully lower rear suspension and axle assembly from vehicle.