Dodge RAM TRUCK 1500 1995 Service Manual page 130

3 -10 REAR SUSPENSION AND AXLE
B R
9 1/4 A X L E S E R V I C E P R O C E D U R E S
INDEX
page
Axle Assembly Removal/Installation 10
Axle Shaft, Seal and Bearing Service 12
Differential Service 15
Information 10
INFORMATION
The 9 1/4 axle (Fig. 1) housing consist of a cast iron
center section. They also have two steel axle shaft
tubes that are pressed into and welded to the differ­
ential housing.
The removable steel cover provides a means for in­
spection and service without removing the axle from
the vehicle.
AXLE ASSEMBLY REMOVAL/INSTALLATION
It is not necessary to remove the complete axle
from the vehicle for routine differential inspection
and service. If the differential housing, case or axle
shaft tubes are damaged the complete axle can be re­
moved and replaced.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Block the brake pedal in the up (non-depressed)
position with a wooden block.
(3) Remove the rear wheels and brake drums.
(4) Disconnect the brake fluid tube fittings from
the wheel cylinders. Cap the fittings to prevent loss
of brake fluid.
(5) Remove the vent hose from the brake tee nip­
ple.
(6) Remove the brake tee bolt. Carefully detach the
brake fluid tubes from the clips.
(7) Disconnect the parking brake cables and unbolt
backing plates.
Mark the U-joint, pinion yoke, and pinion
shaft for reference.
(8) Disconnect the drive shaft from the pinion
yoke. Secure the drive shaft in an upright position to
prevent damage to the rear U-joint.
(9) Remove the shock absorber lower attaching
nuts and bolts.
(10) Support axle and remove rear spring U-bolts
and the spring brackets.
WARNING:AXLE MAY ROTATE ON S U P P O R T W H E N
S P R I N G C L A M P BOLTS A R E REMOVED E N S U R E
A X L E IS S E C U R E D ON SUPPORT.
(11) Remove the axle assembly from the vehicle.
page
Lubrication Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Pinion Depth Measurement and Adjustment . . . . . . 18
Pinion Seal Replacement 13
(12) Wash and clean the outer surface of the hous­
ing and tubes. Use an appropriate cleaning solution
and dry the surface with compressed air.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the rear axle spring pads over the
spring center bolts.
(2) Install the spring clamp bolts and nuts, and
shock absorber lower bolts. Tighten the nuts to the
specified torque.
(3) Connect the parking brake cables.
(4) Connect the brake fluid tube fittings to the
wheel cylinders. Bleed and adjust brakes refer to
Group 5 Brakes for procedure.
(5) Align the installation reference marks and con­
nect the drive shaft yoke to the pinion yoke. Tighten
the U-joint clamp bolts to 19-23 N-m (170-200 in.
lbs.) torque.
(6) Install wheel and tire assemblies.
(7) Remove support and lower vehicle.
LUBilCATJOl CHAISE
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the lubricant fill hole plug from the dif­
ferential housing cover.
(3) Remove the differential housing cover. Allow
the original lubricant to completely drain from the
housing and axle shaft tubes.
(4) With standard differential, clean differential
and housing with flushing oil or light engine oil. This
will remove the residual lubricant and foreign mat-
ter.Do not use water, steam, kerosene or gaso­
line for flushing.
(5) Scrape the residual sealant from the housing
and cover mating surfaces. Clean the mating surfaces
with mineral spirits. Apply a bead of MOPAR® Sili­
cone Rubber Sealant on the housing cover (Fig. 2).
Allow the sealant to cure for a few minutes.
Install the housing cover within 5 minutes af­
ter applying the sealant. If not installed, the
sealant must be removed and another bead ap­
plied.
(6) Install the cover on the differential. Install the
identification tag. Tighten the cover bolts to 47 N-m
(35 ft. lbs.) torque.