Removal and Installation - Axle Assembly

Special Service Tools / General Equipment

Removal

1. 1
   Remove the rear axle shafts.
   Refer to: Rear Axle Shaft (205-05 Rear Axle Shafts, Removal and Installation).
2. 2
   Remove the fuel tank.
   Refer to: Fuel Tank - Front-Wheel Drive (310-01A Fuel Tank and Lines - 1.5 L EcoBoost (132 kW/180 L PS) - I3 (Y1), Removal and Installation).
   Refer to: Fuel Tank - All-Wheel Drive (310-01A Fuel Tank and Lines - 1.5 L EcoBoost (132 kW/180 L PS) - I3 (Y1), Removal and Installation).
   Refer to: Fuel Tank (310-01B Fuel Tank and Lines - 2 L EcoBoost (177 kW/240 L PS) - MI4, Removal and Installation).
   Refer to: Fuel Tank (310-01C Fuel Tank and Lines, Removal and Installation).
3. 3
   Disconnect the RDU drive motor electrical connector and release the wiring harness retainer.

   

4. 4
   Disconnect the RDU speed sensor electrical connector and release the wiring harness retainer.

   

5. 5
   1. Remove the rear differential vent hose from the RDU and set it aside.

   2. Remove the bolt and set the ground cable aside.
      Torque: 106 lb-in (12 N·m)

   

6. 6
   Install the transmission jack and wooden block to support the RDU.
   Use common shop equipment: transmission jack.
   Use common shop equipment: wooden block

   

7. 7
   Remove the RDU front mounting bolts and the RDU shield.
   Use common shop equipment: transmission jack.
   Use common shop equipment: wooden block
   Torque: 76 lb-ft (103 N·m)

   

8. 8
   Remove the RDU rear mounting bolt.
   Torque: 76 lb-ft (103 N·m)

   

9. 9
   Lower the transmission jack and remove the rear axle assembly.
   Use common shop equipment: transmission jack.

   

Installation

1. 1
   Check the position of the RDU locators and the subframe bushing, as shown in the illustration.

   

2. 2
   To install, reverse the removal procedure.
3. 3
   Check the differential fluid level.
   Refer to: Differential Fluid Level Check (205-02 Rear Axle/Differential, General Procedures).
4. 4

   NOTICE: When replacing the axle assembly, the all-wheel drive control module must be reconfigured with the new RDU barcode information. If the new barcode information does not match the existing information in the all-wheel drive control module, transmission damage or drivability problems may occur.