Axle Beam: Service and Repair

Fig. 1 Exploded view of rear axle & suspension assembly:

REMOVAL

1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove rear wheel and tire assemblies.
3. Remove exhaust heat shield from vehicle underbody.
4. Measure and record length of thread on parking brake lever pushrod.
5. Remove self-locking nut from parking brake lever pushrod and the lock plate from brake cable compensation yoke.
6. Disconnect parking brake cable from brake cable compensation yoke.
7. Disconnect parking brake cable from guides on transaxle tunnel and plastic sleeves on fuel tank and position toward muffler.
8. Raise one rear axle arm using a suitable jack.
9. Disconnect brake lines from brake pressure hoses on rear axle bracket and remove lock clips.
10. Disconnect brake pressure hoses from bracket.
11. Remove shock absorbers as described under ``Shock Absorber, Replace.''
12. Remove rear axle arm attaching bolt, then lower the arm and remove coil spring. If necessary, depress rear axle arm using a pry bar positioned in shock absorber bracket.
13. Repeat step 12 on opposite side.
14. Support center of rear axle assembly using a suitable jack.
15. Remove rear axle attaching bolts and carefully lower axle assembly from vehicle, Fig. 1.
16. If rear axle assembly is to be replaced, proceed as follows:
a. Remove brake drum setscrew and the drum.
b. Remove dust cap from wheel hub.
c. Remove wheel hub retaining nut and the wheel hub.
d. Bend open brake line retaining clamps.
e. Remove brake anchor plates and paper seal from rear axle arm.
f. Remove stabilizer bar attaching bolts and the stabilizer bar.
g. Disconnect parking brake cable from mounting.

INSTALLATION

1. If rear axle assembly is being replaced, proceed as follows:
a. Attach stabilizer bar to rear axle. Torque attaching bolts to 59 ft.lbs
b. Apply suitable sealant to brake anchor plate, then position new paper seals on plate.
c. Apply suitable locking compound to anchor plate attaching bolts, then install the bolts and torque to 21 ft.lbs
d. Position brake lines in rear axle clamps and bend clamps closed.
e. Apply suitable grease to wheel spindle, then install wheel hub and torque attaching nut to 12 ft.lbs
f. Adjust wheel bearings as described under ``Wheel Bearings, Adjust.''
g. Install brake drums and setscrews.
2. Raise rear axle assembly and secure to vehicle underbody. Raise one rear axle arm slightly using a suitable jack.
3. Install coil spring, ensuring lower rubber damper is properly positioned in spring seat.
4. Raise axle arm and install shock absorber. Torque attaching bolts to 52 ft.lbs
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 on opposite side.
6. Fasten brake pressure hoses to rear axle bracket and retaining clips.
7. Attach brake pressure lines to pressure hoses.
8. Install parking brake cable and adjust to dimension recorded at removal.
9. Install rear wheel and tire assemblies, then adjust wheel bearings as described under ``Wheel Bearings, Adjust.''
10. Torque rear axle attaching bolts to 70 ft.lbs with weight of vehicle on wheels.
11. Bleed brake system, then adjust parking brake as necessary.