To replace the rear Axle Shaft, first, lift the vehicle. Take off the tire and wheel assembly, take off the brake caliper as well as the rear
Wheel Speed Sensor. Next, remove the rear axle housing cover and gasket and the pinion shaft locking bolt. On axles non-locking take off the pinion shaft; for those with a locking Differential, partially back off the pinion shaft and turn the case to allow the pinion shaft to contact the housing. With the help of a screw driver or any other similar device, turn the c-lock until it is in line with the thrust block and push on the flange of the Axle Shaft towards the Differential then pull out the c-lock from the button end of the Axle Shaft. Important: make sure that you do not rotate the Axle Shaft during the process of removal so as to prevent misaligning the gears. If the axle is stubborn to be removed, use the j 45859 (Axle Remover) and j 2619-01 (Slide Hammer). During installation, ensure that when you install the Axle Shaft into the rear axle housing, the spline on the shaft locks into the right side gear on the Differential end. For axles without locking Differential install your c-lock against the button end of Axle Shaft. For those with locking Differential, tap pinion shaft in halfway and install a c lock on Axle Shaft to let ends be flush with thrust block . Pull the shaft flange out to set the seat of the c-lock, in the Differential gear and align the hole of pinion shaft, with a hole of bolt in the case of Differential. And then, install six new pinion shaft bolt; tighten to 36n.m (27 lb ft) for the 8.6 inch axle, and to 50 n.m (37 lb ft) for the 9.5 ld inch axle. Replace the rear axle covering and gasket as well as the brake caliper, the rear Wheel Speed Sensor, and the tire and wheel assembly. Finally, fill the rear axle with the required type of axle lubricant and withdraw the vehicle.