Axle Shaft & Bearings: Removal
- Apply parking brake. Remove wheel cap and cotter pin. Loosen castle nut and wheel nuts. Disconnect lower shock absorber bolt. Loosen crossmember outer bushing locking bolts. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel and tire assembly.
- Remove castle nut and brake drum. Drive out spring pins of inner Double Offset Joint (DOJ) and outer Bell Joint (BJ) using 6 mm diameter punch. Remove outer BJ from spindle of trailing arm with trailing arm lowered fully. Remove inner DOJ from differential spindle.
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Remove rear exhaust pipe, muffler and covers. Disconnect brake line and plug end. Remove brake assembly from trailing arm by removing 4 bolts. Remove bolt from inner bushing of inner trailing arm. Remove 3 bolts from inner arm and outer arm. Remove inner arm. Place inner arm in vise.
- Straighten staked portion of ring nut. Remove ring nut and remove spindle inward by tapping from outside with a soft hammer. Remove oil seal. Insert spindle from outside of housing and press outer bearing out by pushing inner race through housing. Press out inner race of spindle.
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.