Rear Axle Replacement

Rear Axle Replacement

Special Tools

EN-45059 - Angle Meter

For equivalent regional tools. Refer to Special Tools Rear Suspension.

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Standard) Service and Repair.

2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Service and Repair.

3. If equipped, remove the underdoy rear air deflector.




4. Remove both brake hose bolts (1) attaching the hose to the rear brake caliper bracket.




5. Remove rear parking brake cable bracket bolts (1) from the rear axle.




6. Remove and DISCARD the wheel bearing/hub mounting bolts (1).





Caution:
Support the brake caliper with heavy mechanic wire, or equivalent, whenever it is separated from its mount and the hydraulic flexible brake hose is still connected. Failure to support the caliper in this manner will cause the flexible brake hose to bear the weight of the caliper, which may cause damage to the brake hose and in turn may cause a brake fluid leak.

7. Without disconnecting the hydraulic brake flexible hose, remove wheel bearing/hub and brake assembly (2) upward and secure the wheel bearing/hub and brake assembly with heavy mechanics wire (1), or equivalent.




8. Using a 6 mm (0.2 in) drill bit, drill 2 holes (1) through the right rear axle bracket and into the underbody. Repeat this step for the left rear axle bracket. These holes (1) will be used by guide pins to properly align the rear axle brackets to the underbody (2).

9. Support the rear axle with a hydraulic lift table.

10. Remove the lower shock absorber bolts. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement Shock Absorber Replacement.




11. Remove and DISCARD the equalizer beam link bolts (1), if equipped.

12. Lower the hydraulic lift table and remove the rear coil springs. Refer to Rear Spring Replacement Rear Spring Replacement.




13. Remove and DISCARD the 8 rear axle bracket bolts (1) from the right and left rear axle brackets.




14. Use the hydraulic lift table to lower the rear axle (1) from the vehicle.




15. Remove the rear coil spring lower seat insulators (1) from the axle.




16. Remove and DISCARD the rear axle bushing bolts and nuts (1) from the rear axle (2).

Installation Procedure





Note: The axle bushing bolts (1) and nut connection must be tightened with the axle at the correct trim height.

1. Loosely install the NEW rear axle bushing bolts and nuts (1) to the rear axle (2).




2. Install the rear coil spring lower seat insulators (1) to the axle.




3. Raise the axle (1) into position.




4. Loosely install the NEW axle bracket bolts (1) to the right and left rear axle brackets.

5. Apply anti-corrosion treatment to the guide pin holes in the underbody and rear axle brackets.




6. Using 6 mm (0.2 in) drill bits (2) as guide pins, align the right and left rear axle brackets to the underbody (1).





Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution Fastener Caution.

7. Install the NEW axle bracket bolts (1) and tighten a first pass to 90 Nm (66 lb ft).

Warning: Refer to Torque-to-Yield Fastener Warning Torque-to-Yield Fastener Warning.


8. Tighten the NEW axle bracket bolts a final pass to an additional 45 degrees, using the EN-45059 - meter.




9. Using the lift table, raise the axle to the proper trim height specification by measuring the vertical distance (a) between the center of the wheel hub (2) and top of the wheel opening (1).

Dimension (a): 385 mm (15.16 in)




10. Install the NEW axle bushing through bolts and nuts (1) and tighten a first pass to 70 Nm (52 lb ft).

Warning: Refer to Torque-to-Yield Fastener Warning Torque-to-Yield Fastener Warning.


11. Tighten the NEW axle bushing through bolts and nuts a final pass to an additional 120 degrees, using the EN-45059 - meter.

12. Install the rear coil springs. Refer to Rear Spring Replacement Rear Spring Replacement.

13. Install the lower shock absorber bolts. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement Shock Absorber Replacement.




14. Install the equalizer beam link bolts (1) and tighten to 160 Nm (118 lb ft), if equipped.

15. Remove the hydraulic lift table from the rear axle.

16. Install the wheel bearing/hub and brake assembly.




17. Install the NEW wheel bearing/hub mounting bolts (1) and tighten to 50 Nm (37 lb ft).




18. Install rear parking brake cable bracket bolts (1) at the rear axle and tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb in).




19. Install both brake hose bolts (1) attaching the hose to the rear brake caliper bracket and tighten.

20. If equipped, install the underdoy rear air deflector.

21. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Service and Repair.

22. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.