SECTION 205-02: Rear Drive Axle/Differential
2014 Flex Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Procedure revision date: 05/02/2013

Axle Assembly

Rear Drive Unit (RDU) with stamped steel differential cover shown, RDU with aluminum cover similar.

Item Part Number Description
1 W713482 Differential housing-to-front insulator bracket bolts (4 required)
2 W709862 Side insulator bracket-to-rear axle differential bolts (6 required) (aluminum rear cover)
2 W716158 Side insulator bracket-to-rear axle differential bolts (6 required) (stamped steel rear cover)
3 — Active Torque Coupling (ATC) electrical connector (part of 4000)
4 4000 Rear axle assembly

Removal

All vehicles

  1. Remove the driveshaft assembly. Refer to Section 205-01 .
  1. Remove the rear halfshafts. Refer to Section 205-05 .
  1. Remove the stabilizer bar. Refer to Section 204-02 .
  1. Position a suitable transmission hydraulic jack to the axle housing.
  1. Remove the 4 differential housing-to-front insulator bracket bolts.
  1. Remove the 6 side insulator bracket-to-rear axle differential bolts.

Vehicles equipped with an RDU with a aluminum cover

  1. Disconnect the RDU vent tube.

All vehicles

  1. Lower the axle to gain clearance to the Active Torque Coupling (ATC) electrical connector and disconnect the connector.
  1. Remove the axle assembly.

Installation

All vehicles

  1. Position the axle housing on a suitable transmission hydraulic jack.
  1. Raise the axle and connect the ATC electrical connector.

Vehicles equipped with an RDU with a aluminum differential cover

  1. Connect the RDU vent tube.

All vehicles

  1. Install the 6 side insulator bracket-to-rear axle differential bolts.
  1. Install the 4 differential housing-to-front insulator bracket bolts.
  1. Install the stabilizer bar. Refer to Section 204-02 .
  1. Install the rear halfshafts. Refer to Section 205-05 .
  1. Install the driveshaft assembly. Refer to Section 205-01 .

  1. NOTICE: If replacing the axle assembly, the 4X4 control module will need to be reconfigured with the new Active Torque Coupling (ATC) bar code information. If the new bar code information does not match the existing 4X4 control module information, driveline damage or driveability concerns can occur.

    If installing a new RDU, re-configure the Automatic Torque Coupling (ATC). Refer to Section 308-07A .