What do I need to know before removing a complete rear axle?

[warriormagee]

First I would like to thank everyone that helped me figure out my rear end was toast. I am now ready to go pull a used rear axle assembly from a junk yard, but didn't see a How To write up or some such thread on this site. I will have to drive a couple of hours away, to the nearest Pick A Part, so I come to you all once again, so that I don't waste hours driving back and forth for tools I should have had.

I plan on taking an assortment of wrenches and sockets (none are deep well), jack, hammer, C-Clamp (for brake calipers), lug wrench, assortment of screw drivers, small pry bar, WD-40, knife, wire cutters.

Are there any specialty tools I need to have?

I couldn't find a video removing the rear assembly from my Yukon, but did find one for a Jeep. I expect things will basically be the same, as in order of things I should be removing: wheels, brakes and calipers, shocks, drive shaft, e-brake wires, U-Bolts.

Is there something I'm missing/need to know about/tips or tricks to remove?

 

[PG01]

I would take the entire rear with brakes and wheels on it (so you could roll it with out carrying it, then give guy back the rims so you aren’t paying for them). cut brake lines, only on driverside frame, e brake cable too and even cut u bolts as you may have a hell of a time loosening them up, remove bolts nuts for everything else...shocks and whatnot and then go ....Imo

 

[warriormagee]

I would take the entire rear with brakes and wheels on it (so you could roll it with out carrying it, then give guy back the rims so you aren’t paying for them). cut brake lines, only on driverside frame, e brake cable too and even cut u bolts as you may have a hell of a time loosening them up, remove bolts nuts for everything else...shocks and whatnot and then go ....Imo

Leaving the wheels on is a good idea I never thought of. I didn't think to cut the lines either, i was going to unbolt them all.

 

[warriormagee]

It was mentioned in my other thread that any 2000-2014 suburban/yukon rear axle assembly can be used as a replacement. Can the rear axle assembly from the same years silverado/sierra/tahoe also work?

 

[PG01]

It was mentioned in my other thread that any 2000-2014 suburban/yukon rear axle assembly can be used as a replacement. Can the rear axle assembly from the same years silverado/sierra/tahoe also work?

Yup

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Yup

On OBS there were 2 different widths. Is that not the case anymore?

 

[swathdiver]

And don't some of them have leaf springs instead of control arms? Doesn't that result in different brackets?

 

[PG01]

On OBS there were 2 different widths. Is that not the case anymore?

Yup, saw tahoe

 

[PG01]

And don't some of them have leaf springs instead of control arms? Doesn't that result in different brackets?

Yup, saw tahoe

 

[warriormagee]

I found an 03 Yukon XL, with the same gearing and traction control...will it fit my 07 Yukon XL?

 

[warriormagee]

It looked like all the mounts were the same, so I went ahead and pulled it. Out was fairly easy and straight forward. I'll hire someone in SoCal to put it on as I have a cross country trip coming up in a couple of months, and don't want potential issues to crop up while I have my family on a trip.

 

[warriormagee]

New update, for the sake of anyone else that might have these same issues. My truck is at the mechanics shop. The 2003 Yukon XL 1500's complete rear axle assembly will fit a 2007 Yukon XL 1500. The gearing and traction control were both the same, so I'm expecting no issues there. HOWEVER!!! The 2003's axle assembly only has 1 sensor connection on each side while the 2007 has 2 sensors on each side. The mechanic assured me it can still be switched, but the disconnected sensors will cause some lights to stay lit on the dash. Any ideas/fixes for people that might have to worry about Smog Testing?

 

[HiHoeSilver]

New update, for the sake of anyone else that might have these same issues. My truck is at the mechanics shop. The 2003 Yukon XL 1500's complete rear axle assembly will fit a 2007 Yukon XL 1500. The gearing and traction control were both the same, so I'm expecting no issues there. HOWEVER!!! The 2003's axle assembly only has 1 sensor connection on each side while the 2007 has 2 sensors on each side. The mechanic assured me it can still be switched, but the disconnected sensors will cause some lights to stay lit on the dash. Any ideas/fixes for people that might have to worry about Smog Testing?

What's the extra plug for?

 

[warriormagee]

What's the extra plug for?

I don't know yet. I figure I'll know when the lights come on.

 

[PG01]

What's the extra plug for?

Prob stabilitrac? There is abs sensor/traction control.

 

[warriormagee]

Prob stabilitrac? There is abs sensor/traction control.

Correct, as always it seems. The ABS and Stabilitrac lights are on. Since these are safety features instead of emissions features, will this cause it to fail a Smog Check?

 

[PG01]

Correct, as always it seems. The ABS and Stabilitrac lights are on. Since these are safety features instead of emissions features, will this cause it to fail a Smog Check?

Not sure about your state but not in NY.

 

[warriormagee]

Not sure about your state but not in NY.

I'll have to have it smogged in Georgia.