Rear Suspension Assembly: Removal

Remove shock absorber upper retaining bolts. Raise and support vehicle. Remove the wheels.
On 4WD models, drive spring pins out of axle drive shaft ends. Disconnect outer CV joint from spindle by pushing inner CV joint inward and inner arm downward. Remove inner CV joint from differential spindle. Repeat for opposite drive shaft.
On all models, disconnect exhaust pipe at forward flange. Remove exhaust system from vehicle. Remove all exhaust shrouding which interferes with access to rear suspension. Disconnect brake hoses at inner arm brackets and plug brake lines.
On 2WD models, support crossmember at center with floor jack. Remove crossmember-to-body bolts and slowly lower rear suspension assembly to floor.
On 4WD models, disconnect drive shaft from differential. Slowly pull drive shaft out of transmission. Plug hole in transmission to prevent oil spillage. Support differential with floor jack, remove 2 nuts at the center of the differential and 4 differential-to-crossmember nuts. Remove differential from vehicle.