Rear Axle Shaft Replacement 9.5 HD Axle
                    
Removal Procedure
- Raise the vehicle. Refer to 
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
 
- Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to 
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
 
- Remove the brake caliper. Refer to 
Rear Brake Caliper Replacement.
 
- Remove the rear cover and the gasket. Refer to 
Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement.
 
- Remove the pinion shaft locking bolt.
 
- On axles without a locking differential, remove the pinion shaft.
 
- On axles with a locking differential, remove the shaft part way. Rotate the case until the pinion shaft touches the housing.
 
- On axles with a locking differential, use a screwdriver, or a similar tool, in order to enter the differential case and rotate the lock (1) until the lock aligns with the thrust block (2).
 
- Push the flange of the axle shaft (1) toward the differential.
 
- Remove the C-lock (4) from the button end of the axle shaft (1).
 
Important: When removing the axle shaft, do not rotate the shaft. Rotating the shaft will misalign the gears. Misaligning the gears will make the assembly difficult.
- Remove the axle shaft (1) from the housing (5).
 
Installation Procedure
Important: Carefully insert the axle shaft in order to not damage the seal.
- Install the axle shaft (1) into the rear axle housing (5).
 
- Slide the axle shaft (1) into place allowing the splines to engage the differential side gear.
 
- On axles without a locking differential, place the lock (4) on the button end of the axle shaft (1).
 
- On axles with a locking differential, keep the pinion shaft partially withdrawn.
 
- On axles with a locking differential, place the C-lock (1) on the axle shaft (3) so that the ends are flush with the thrust block (2).
 
- Pull the shaft flange outward in order to seat the lock in the differential gear.
 
- Align the hole in the pinion shaft with the bolt hole in the differential case.
 
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
- Install the new pinion shaft locking bolt.
 
Tighten
Tighten the pinion shaft locking bolt to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).
- Install the rear cover and the gasket. Refer to 
Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement.
 
- Install the brake caliper. Refer to 
Rear Brake Caliper Replacement.
 
- Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to 
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
 
- Fill the rear axle. Use the proper fluid. Refer to 
Approximate Fluid Capacities and 
Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.
 
- Lower the vehicle.
 
                            Rear Axle Shaft Replacement 8.6 , 9.5 LD Axle
                    
Tools Required
Removal Procedure
- Raise the vehicle. Refer to 
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
 .
 
- Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to 
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
 .
 
- Remove the brake caliper. Refer to 
Rear Brake Caliper Replacement
 .
 
- Remove the rear wheel speed sensor. Refer to 
Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement
 .
 
- Remove the rear axle housing cover and the gasket. Refer to 
Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement
 .
 
- Remove the pinion shaft locking bolt.
 
- On axles without a locking differential, remove the pinion shaft.
 
- On axles with a locking differential, remove the shaft part way. Rotate the case until the pinion shaft touches the housing.
 
- On axles with a locking differential, use a screwdriver, or a similar tool, in order to enter the differential case and rotate the C-lock (1) until the C-lock aligns with the thrust block (2).
 
- Push the flange of the axle shaft (1) toward the differential.
 
- Remove the C-lock from the button end of the axle shaft.
 
Important: When removing the axle shaft, do not rotate the shaft. Rotating the shaft will misalign the gears. Misaligning the gears will make the installing of the axle shaft difficult.
- Remove the axle shaft from the housing.
 
- If the axle is difficult to remove, use the 
J 45859 
  (1) and the 
J 2619-01 
  (2) to remove the axle shaft from the housing.
 
Installation Procedure
Important: Carefully insert the axle shaft in order to not damage the seal.
- Install the axle shaft into the rear axle housing.
 
- Slide the axle shaft into place allowing the splines to engage the differential side gear.
 
- On axles without a locking differential, place the C-lock on the button end of the axle shaft.
 
- On axles with a locking differential, keep the pinion shaft partially withdrawn.
 
- On axles with a locking differential, place the C-lock (1) on the axle shaft (3) so that the ends are flush with the thrust block (2).
 
- Pull the shaft flange outward in order to seat the C-lock in the differential gear.
 
- Align the hole in the pinion shaft with the bolt hole in the differential case.
 
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
- Install the new pinion shaft locking bolt.
 
Tighten
|     •  | For the 8.6  inch axle, tighten the pinion shaft locking bolt to 36 N·m (27 lb ft). | 
 
|     •  | For the 9.5 LD  inch axle, tighten the pinion shaft locking bolt to 50 N·m (37 lb ft). | 
 
- Install the rear axle housing cover and the gasket. Refer to 
Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement
 .
 
- Install the brake caliper. Refer to 
Rear Brake Caliper Replacement
 .
 
- Install the rear wheel speed sensor. Refer to 
Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement
 .
 
- Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to 
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
 .
 
- Fill the rear axle with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to 
Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection
 .
 
- Lower the vehicle.