Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra. Manual

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .

2. Place jack or utility stands at the front end of the vehicle.

3. Drain the axle lubricant from the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement

(8.6 Inch Axle) or Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (9.5 Inch LD Axle) or Rear Axle
Lubricant Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle).

4. Disconnect the propeller shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement or

Two-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement .

5. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and

Installation .

6. Disconnect the wheel speed sensors. Refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement .

7. Disconnect the parking brake cable. Refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement -

Left Side (JF3, JF7) or Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Left Side (JD9) and
Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (JF3, JF7) or Parking Brake
Rear Cable Replacement - Right Side (JD9) .

8. Remove the brake line bracket bolts. Suspend the brake lines from the vehicle with heavy

mechanics wire.

9. Remove the brake calipers from the brake caliper mounting brackets. Do not disconnect the

brake lines. Suspend the calipers from the vehicle with heavy mechanics wire. Refer to
Rear Brake Caliper Replacement (JH6, JH7) or Rear Brake Caliper Replacement
(JD9) .

10. Disconnect the shock absorbers from the axle brackets. Refer to Shock Absorber

Replacement (1500) or Shock Absorber Replacement (2500, 3500) .

11. Remove the vent hose from the rear axle vent fitting. Refer to Vent Hose Replacement.

12. Remove the nuts and the washers from the U-bolts.

13. Remove the U-bolts, the spring plates and the spacers form the axle assembly.

14. Lower the axle assembly.

Installation Procedure

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2008 Driveline/Axle Rear Drive Axle - Cab & Chassis Sierra, Cab & Chassis Silverado, Sierra & Silverado

Fig. 218: Identifying U-Bolts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

1. Place the rear axle assembly under the vehicle.

2. Align the rear axle assembly with the springs.

3. Connect the spacers, the spring plates and the U-bolts to the rear axle.

4. Raise the rear axle assembly into position.

5. Install the washers if equipped and the nuts to the U-bolts.

NOTE:

Refer to Fastener Notice .

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2008 Driveline/Axle Rear Drive Axle - Cab & Chassis Sierra, Cab & Chassis Silverado, Sierra & Silverado

Tighten:

15 Series tighten the nuts in a criss cross pattern to 72 N.m (53 lb ft).

25 series tighten the nuts in a criss cross pattern to 150 N.m (110 lb ft).

6. Install the vent hose to the rear axle vent fitting. Refer to Vent Hose Replacement.

7. Connect the shock absorbers to the rear axle. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement

(1500) or Shock Absorber Replacement (2500, 3500) .

8. Install the brake calipers. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement (JH6, JH7) or

Rear Brake Caliper Replacement (JD9) .

9. Install the brake lines and the brake line bracket bolts to the axle.

10. Connect the parking brake cable. Refer to Parking Brake Rear Cable Replacement -

11. Connect the wheel speed senors. Refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement .

12. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

13. Connect the propeller shaft. Refer to One-Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement or Two-

Piece Propeller Shaft Replacement .

14. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities

and Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .

15. Remove the utility stands.

16. Lower the vehicle.

DIFFERENTIAL OVERHAUL (11.5 INCH AXLE)

Tools Required

J 8092 Universal Driver Handle - 3/4 in - 10

J 22888-D Side Bearing Remover Kit

J 44420 Differential Bearing and Hub Seal Installer. See Special Tools.

Disassembly Procedure

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2008 Driveline/Axle Rear Drive Axle - Cab & Chassis Sierra, Cab & Chassis Silverado, Sierra & Silverado

Fig. 219: Removing Differential Side Bearing
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

1. Remove the differential side bearings by performing the following steps:

1. Install the differential assembly into a vise.

2. Install the J 8107-5 (1) and the J 22888-20A (2) as shown. See Special Tools.

3. Remove the differential side bearings using the J 22888-20A . See Special Tools.

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2008 Driveline/Axle Rear Drive Axle - Cab & Chassis Sierra, Cab & Chassis Silverado, Sierra & Silverado

Content .. 1460 1461 1462 1463 ..

Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra. Manual - part 1462