Front
Fig. 2.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION FRONT DRIVE AXLE
Removal
1 . Raise the vehicle on a hoist or jack and install safety stands under the radius arm brackets. Disconnect the driveshaft from the front axle yoke.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the disc brake calipers as described in Disc Brakes-Single Piston, Sliding Caliper. Brakes and Traction Control
NOTE: Do not let the caliper hang down on the weight of the brake lines. Support the caliper on a frame rail.
4. Remove the cotter pin and nut retaining the steering linkage to the spindle. Disconnect the linkage from the spindle.
5. Position a jack under the axle arm assembly and slightly compress the coil spring. Remove the nut which retains the lower portion of the spring to the axle arm. Slowly lower the jack, and remove the coil spring, spacer, seat and stud.
NOTE: The axle arm assembly must be sup- ported on the jack throughout spring removal and installation and must not be permitted to hang by the brake hose. If the length of the brake hose Is not sufficient to provide adequate clearance for the removal and installation of the spring, the caliper must be removed according to the procedures In Section, Disc Brake Single Piston Sliding Caliper. Brakes and Traction Control After removal, the caliper must be placed on the frame or otherwise supported to prevent suspending the caliper by the brake hose. These precautions must be taken to prevent serious damage to the tube portion of the caliper hose assembly.
6. Remove the bolt and nut and disconnect the shock absorber from the radius arm bracket.
7. Remove the stud and bolts that connect the radius arm bracket and radius arm to the axle arm. Rem move the bracket and radius arm.
8. Remove the pivot bolt securing the right handle axle arm assembly to the crossmember. Remove the keystone clamps securing the axle shaft boot from the axle shaft slip yoke and axle shaft and slide the rubber boot over. Disconnect the right driveshaft from the slip yoke assembly. Lower the jack and remove the right axle arm assembly.
9. Position another jack under the differential housing. Remove the bolt that connects the left axle arm to the crossmember. Lower the jacks and remove the left axle arm assembly.
Installation
1. With the vehicle on a hoist or jacked up, position a jack under the left axle arm assembly. Raise the axle arm until the arm is in position in the left pivot bracket. Install the nut and bolt and tighten to 163-203 N.m (1 20-150 ft-lbs).
NOTE: Do not remove the jack from under the differential housing at this time.
2. Place new keystone clamps for the axle shaft boot on the axle shaft assembly. Position the right axle arm on a jack and raise the right axle arm so the right driveshaft slides onto the slip yoke stub shaft and the axle arm is in position in the right pivot bracket. Install the nut and bolt and tighten to 163-203 N.m (120-150 ft-lbs).
NOTE: Do not remove the jack from the right axle arm at this time.
3. Position the radius arm and front bracket on the axle arms. Install a new stud and nut on the top of the axle and radius arm assembly and tighten to 217-298 N.m (160-220 ft-lbs). Install the bolts in the front of the bracket and tighten to 37-50 N.m (27-37 ft-lbs).
4. Install the seat, spacer retainer and coil spring on the stud and nut. Raise the jack to compress the coil spring. Install the nut and tighten to 95-135 N.m (70-1OO ft-lbs).
5. Connect the shock absorber to the axle arm assembly. Install nut and tighten to 57-97 N.m (42-72 ft-lbs).
6. Connect the tie rod ball joint to the spindle. Install nut and tighten to 68-101 N.m (50-75 ft-lbs).
7. Lower the jacks from the axle arms.
8. Install the disc brake caliper as described in Section Disc Brakes Single Piston, Sliding Caliper. Brakes and Traction Control
9. Install the wheel and tire assembly. Install lug nuts and tighten to 115-155 N.m (85-115 ft-lbs).
10. Connect the front output shaft to the front axle yoke. Install U-bolts and tighten nuts to 11-20 N.m (8-15 ft-lbs).
11. Remove the jacks and lower the vehicle.