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Home >> Chevrolet >> 2015 >> Cruze LT, Automatic Trans >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Suspension >> Rear Suspension >> Rear Suspension System >> Repair Instructions >> Rear Axle Replacement (Watt Linkage) >> Removal Procedure

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  3. Remove both brake hose bolts (1) attaching the hose to the rear brake caliper bracket.
    Fig 1: Identifying Brake Hose Bolts
    GM2027745Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
  4. Remove rear parking brake cable bracket bolts (1) from the rear axle.
    Fig 2: Parking Brake Cable Bracket Bolts
    GM2027748Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
  5. Remove and DISCARD the wheel bearing/hub mounting bolts (1).
    Fig 3: Wheel Bearing/Hub Mounting Bolts
    GM2027750Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
  6. 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.
    Fig 4: Identifying Heavy Mechanics Wire And Brake Assembly
    GM2027752Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
    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. Mark the outline of the bracket (1) onto the underbody (2), this will be used to properly align the rear axle bracket to the underbody.
    Fig 5: Axle Bracket And Underbody
    GM3621253Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
  8. Support the rear axle with a hydraulic lift table.
  9. Remove the lower shock absorber bolts. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement .
  10. Remove and DISCARD the equalizer beam link bolts (1), if equipped.
    Fig 6: Identifying Equalizer Beam Link Bolts
    GM2191246Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
  11. Lower the hydraulic lift table and remove the rear coil springs. Refer to Rear Spring Replacement .
  12. Remove and DISCARD the 8 rear axle bracket bolts (1) from the right and left rear axle brackets.
    Fig 7: Rear Axle Bracket Bolts
    GM2191237Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
  13. Use the hydraulic lift table to lower the rear axle (1) as far as necessary.
    Fig 8: Rear Axle
    GM2027755Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
  14. Remove and DISCARD the rear axle bushing bolt (2) and nut (1) from the rear axle bracket (3).
    Fig 9: Identifying Rear Axle Bracket, Rear Axle Bushing Bolt And Nut
    GM3964271Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY