1976-83 Jeep CJ-5 One-Piece Axle Kit Installation

REMOVAL OF ORIGINAL AXLE SHAFTS:
STEP #1 : Drain the axle differential fluid by removing the rear differential cover.
STEP #2: Verify that you DO NOT have a PowerLock differential. This one-piece axle Kit WILL NOT fit your vehicle if you have a PowerLock differential. If your differential has 4 spider gears, 2 side gears, and the differential case is bolted together, then you have a PowerLock unit. If you do not have a PowerLock unit, then you may continue.
STEP #3: Loosen all of your rear wheel lug nuts. Raise and support your vehicle with a jack and jack stand supports. Remove both wheels from the vehicle.
STEP #4: Disconnect your emergency brake cables from the brake assemblies and backing plates.
STEP #5: Loosen the large center axle-to-hub nut until almost completely off, but do not remove it completely. The nut will act as a STOP when the hub later pops off of the axle shaft.
STEP #6: With the appropriate sized hub-puller tool, pull the hub free from the axle shaft until it bumps the axle nut. Remove the axle nut and the hub from the axle shaft. Repeat these steps for the opposite wheel.
STEP #7: Disconnect the brake lines at the backing plates Cap off the brake lines to avoid leaking brake fluid.
STEP #8: Remove the 4 bolts from the backing plate. Remove your original protective guard. Remove the outer seal/retainer. Remove the backing plate. Be sure to mark each backing plate as driver's side or passenger's side for later reassembly. Remove the original axle shims and save them for later use Remove brake shoes. Repeat these steps for opposite wheel assembly.
STEP #9 Tap on one axle shaft with a mallet to remove the opposite axle shaft. Repeat for opposite side and remove both axles.
STEP #10 Remove the original inner axle housing oil seals and discard them Clean each of the axle housing ends, original protective guards, and backing plates.

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