Rear Axle Assembly: Removal
- Raise and support vehicle under rear frame crossmember. Loosen axle housing cover and drain lubricant. Remove wheels, brake drums, bearing retainers and axle shafts. Remove brake backing plates and secure backing plates to frame rail. Remove axle shaft seals.
- Disconnect propeller shaft at companion flange and wire it to underbody. Support axle housing on a jack. Disconnect hydraulic brake lines from axle housing clips. Disconnect axle vent hose from axle housing. Disconnect lower shock absorber studs from axle housing mounting brackets.
- Remove upper arm retaining bolts, then disconnect upper arms from axle housing ear brackets. Lower axle housing until coil springs are released, then lift out springs. Remove lower suspension arm-to-axle housing bolts, then disconnect lower arms from axle housing. Lower and remove axle housing.