Dodge RAM TRUCK 1500 1995 Service Manual page 146

3 - 26 REAR SUSPENSION AND
A X L E
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 the rear of the vehicle until the rear
wheels are not contacting the surface. Support the
vehicle body at the front of the rear springs.
(2) Use a wooden block to retain the brake pedal in
the up position.
(3) Remove wheels, axle shafts, brake drums and
hubs. Refer to axle shaft removal procedure.
(4) Disconnect the brake line and cap the fittings
to prevent loss of brake fluid.
(5) Disconnect the parking brake cables.
Scribe installation alignment reference marks
on drive shaft U-joint and on pinion yoke.
(6) Disconnect the drive shaft U-joint from the pin­
ion yoke. Secure it in an upright position to prevent
damage to the U-joint.
WARNING:AXLE MAY ROTATE ON S U P P O R T W H E N
S P R I N G CLAMP BOLTS A R E REMOVED E N S U R E
A X L E I S S E C U R E D ON S U P P O R T
(7) Support axle, remove lower shock absorber
bolts and spring clamp bolts from the axle.
(8) Remove the rear axle from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the axle under the rear springs.
(2) Install the spring clamp bolts and tighten the
nuts to specified torque.
(3) Install shock absorbers bolts at axle brackets
and tighten to specified.
(4) Connect the parking brake cables and brake
line.
(5) Install the hubs, axles and brake drums. Refer
axle installation procedure. .
(6) Remove the block from the brake pedal. Bleed
and adjust the brakes. Refer to Group 5 brakes for
procedure.
(7) Connect drive shaft to pinion yoke with the ref­
erence marks aligned. Tighten U-joint clamp bolts to
21 N-m (16 ft. lbs./186 in. lbs.) torque.
(8) Install wheels and tire assemblies
(9) Fill the differential housing to the correct level.
Add MOPAR Hypoid Gear Lubricant Additive
for Trac-Lok and Power-Lok equipped axles.
(10) Remove the supports and lower vehicle.
(11) Road test the vehicle to evaluate the results of
the repair.
DRAIN AND REFILL
(1) Drive the vehicle until the gear lubricant
reaches normal operating temperature.
(2) Raise and support the vehicle.
(3) Remove the lubricant fill hole plug from the dif­
ferential housing cover.
(4) Remove the differential housing cover. Allow
the lubricant to completely drain from the housing
and axle shaft tubes.
(5) Flush the differential and housing cavity with
flushing oil to remove residual lubricant and foreign
matter. Do not use water, steam, kerosene or
gasoline for flushing.
(6) Scrape the residual gasket 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.
SEALING CONTOUR OF BEAD
Fig, 2 Typical Housing Cover
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.
(7) Install the cover on the differential. Install the
identification tag. Tighten the cover bolts to 47 N-m
(35 ft. lbs.) torque.
CAUTION: Overfilling the differential can result in
lubricant foaming and overheating.
(8) Refill the differential housing with the specified
quantity of MOPAR Hypoid Gear Lubricant. Vehicles
with Trac-Lok/Power-Lok also use 6 oz. of friction
modifier added to the lubricant. Dana 80 4x4 vehicles
use 10 oz. of friction modifier added to the lubricant.