Axle Beam: Service and Repair

Removal Procedure

Caution: When removing the rear springs, do not use a twin-post type hoist The swing arch tendency of the rear axle assembly when certain fasteners are removed may cause it to slip from the hoist which may cause personal injury.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the rear tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Wheels, Tires and Alignment.
3. Use a utility stand in order to support the rear axle.
4. Remove the rear axle coil springs, the spring seats and the spring insulators. Refer to Coil Spring Replacement.
5. Remove the backing plate or the parking brake support.
- For domestic vehicles, refer to Brake Backing Plate Replacement in Brakes and Traction Control.
- For export vehicles, refer to Park Brake Support Replacement in Brakes and Traction Control.
6. Remove the park brake cables from the rear axle. Refer to Park Brake Cable Replacement - Left Rear and Park Brake Cable Replacement - Right Rear in Brakes and Traction Control.
7. Disconnect the intermediate brake hoses from the rear axle brake pipes. Refer to Brake Hose Replacement - Intermediate in Brakes and Traction Control.
8. Use the utility stand in order to lower the rear axle.
9. Remove the utility stand.
10. Lower the vehicle until the rear axle is approximately 13 mm (0.50 inch) above the ground.





11. Remove the rear axle control arm bolts and nuts.
12. Remove the rear axle.
13. Remove the brake pipes and the brake hoses from the rear axle. Refer to Brake Hose Replacement - Rear (if applicable) and Brake Pipe Replacement - Rear in Brakes and Traction Control Hydraulic Brakes.

Installation Procedure
1. Install the brake pipes and the brake hoses to the rear axle. Refer to Brake Hose Replacement -Rear (if applicable) and Brake Pipe Replacement - Rear in Brakes and Traction Control.
2. Position the rear axle under the vehicle.





3. Install the control arm bolts.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Important: This is a prevailing torque type fastener. This fastener may be reused ONLY if:
- The fastener and its counterpart are clean and free from rust
- The fastener develops 4 Nm (37 inch lbs.) of torque (drag) against its counterpart prior to the fastener seating.
If the fastener does not meet these criteria, REPLACE the fastener.
4. Install the control arm nuts.
- Tighten the control arm nuts to 220 Nm (162 ft. lbs.).
5. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
6. Use the utility stand in order to raise the rear axle.
7. Install the rear axle coil springs, the spring seats and the spring insulators. Refer to Coil Spring Replacement.
8. Install the backing plate or the parking brake support.
- For domestic vehicles, refer to Brake Backing Plate Replacement in Brakes and Traction Control Drum Brakes.
- For export vehicles, refer to Park Brake Support Replacement in Brakes and Traction Control.
9. Install the park brake cables to the rear axle. Refer to Park Brake Cable Replacement - Left Rear and Park Brake Cable Replacement - Right Rear in Brakes and Traction Control.
10. Install the intermediate brake hoses to the rear axle brake pipes. Refer to Brake Hose Replacement - Intermediate in Brakes and Traction Control.
11. Bleed the brake system. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding in Brakes and Traction Control.
12. Install the rear tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Wheels, Tires and Alignment.
13. Lower the vehicle.