Jeep 52114548AC Rear Axle Shaft

To remove the axle shaft/hub nut, stabilizer bar link, lower ball joint, and tie-rod end, swing the steering knuckle outward and push the axle shaft out of the knuckle. Pry the axle shaft from the differential. For boot replacement, mount the axle shaft in a soft-jaw vise, cut the CV-joint dust boot retaining clamps, and slide the boot back onto the axle shaft. Clean the CV-joint, remove the snap-ring, and slide the CV-joint off of the axle shaft. Remove the balls and inspect the components. Install the inner race in the cage, then install the inner race and cage assembly in the outer race. Pack the CV joint assembly with grease and install the boot. Wrap the axle shaft splines with tape, place the small boot clamp in the groove on the small end of the boot, and slide the boot onto the axle shaft. Install the snap-ring in the inner race and slide the CV-joint onto the axle shaft. Install the large boot clamp and equalize the pressure inside the boot. Tighten both boot clamps. For the inner CV-joint, clean the CV-joint, remove the snap-ring, and slide the outer housing off of the axle shaft. Remove the balls and tilt the cage to slide it off of the inner race. Spread the snap-ring and slide the inner race off of the axle shaft. Slide the dust boot off of the axle shaft. Inspect the components and wrap the axle shaft splines with tape. Slide the boot onto the axle shaft and slide the cage onto the axle shaft. Slide the inner race onto the axle shaft and apply lubricant. Tilt the cage and slide it onto the inner race. Insert the balls and place the large boot clamp on the boot. Slide the housing/outer race onto the cage/bearing assembly and install the snap-ring. Pack grease into the bearing assembly and slide the boot over the housing. Equalize the pressure inside the boot and tighten both boot clamps.

Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts, raise the vehicle and support it securely on jack stands placed underneath the frame. Remove the wheels. Support the rear axle assembly with a floor jack placed underneath the differential. If you have two floor jacks, use both of them; one placed under each axle tube. Detach the shock absorbers from the axle assembly brackets and compress the shocks to get them out of the way. Mark the drive shaft and disconnect it from the differential pinion shaft yoke and hang the rear of the driveshaft from the underbody with a piece of wire. Unbolt the stabilizer bar from the lower control arms. On 2008 and later models, disconnect the track bar from the axle housing. Disconnect the brake sensor, if equipped, then remove the brake caliper, brackets and rotor or brake. Note: The parking brake is self-adjusting, and the cables must be locked out before removing them. Disconnect the parking brake cables from the equalizer. Disconnect the flexible brake hose from the fitting where it meets the rigid brake line. Plug the end of the line and hose or wrap plastic bags tightly around the open fittings to prevent excessive fluid loss and contamination. Remove the upper control arm ball joint pinch bolt. Detach the control arms from the axle assembly brackets. Detach the vent hose from the axle tube. Lower the axle assembly enough to remove the rear coil springs. Lower the jack(s) and move the axle/assembly out from under the vehicle. Installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten all fasteners to their proper torque values. Note: Don't tighten the control arm-to-axle housing fasteners until the vehicle is sitting at normal ride height (this can be simulated by supporting the vehicle with jack stands placed under the rear axle tubes). Bleed the brake system (It will probably only be necessary to bleed the rear brakes if you plugged the brake line right after it was disconnected). Tighten the wheel lug nuts to the torque.