Rear Axle: Installation

Temporarily tighten the housing assembly - rear axle to the upper arm assembly.
Install the rear drive shaft assembly.
CAUTION:
- Do not hammer the drive shaft assembly when installing.
- Use new nut - axle.
1. Insert the drive shaft assembly into the hub spline, and pull it into the specified position.
2. Temporarily tighten the nut - axle.
Tighten the rear strut assembly, rear stabilizer link and other links to the specified torque.
Tightening torque:

Rear suspension: Ref. to REAR SUSPENSION>General Description>COMPONENT>REAR SUSPENSION .

Rear strut: Ref. to REAR SUSPENSION>General Description>COMPONENT>REAR SHOCK ABSORBER .
Install the rear disc rotor.
Install the caliper body assembly.
Tightening torque:

66 N.m (6.73 kgf-m, 48.7 ft-lb)
Install the brake hose bracket and rear ABS wheel speed sensor.
Tightening torque:

Brake hose bracket: 33 N.m (3.36 kgf-m, 24.3 ft-lb)

Rear ABS wheel speed sensor: 7.5 N.m (0.76 kgf-m, 5.5 ft-lb)
Install the sensor assembly - headlight beam leveler. (Model with auto headlight beam leveler)
Tightening torque:

7.5 N.m (0.76 kgf-m, 5.5 ft-lb)
While depressing the brake pedal, tighten new nuts - axle to the specified torque.
CAUTION: Do not load the rear axle before tightening the nut - axle. Doing so may damage the hub unit COMPL.

Tightening torque:

190 N.m (19.37 kgf-m, 140.1 ft-lb)
After tightening the nut - axle, lock it securely.

Fig 1: Tightening Axle Nut
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Install the rear wheels, and perform the following inspections.
Tightening torque:

120 N.m (12.24 kgf-m, 88.5 ft-lb)
1. Check the wheels for smooth rotation.
2. Check that there is no looseness by moving the upper and lower portions of rear tire in an axial direction with the brake pedal released.
  - Looseness exists → Check the hub unit COMPL - rear axle. Ref. to DRIVE SHAFT SYSTEM>Rear Hub Unit Bearing>INSPECTION .
Fig 2: Checking Rear Tire Looseness
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Inspect the wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
- Inspection: Ref. to FRONT SUSPENSION>Wheel Alignment>INSPECTION .
- Adjustment: Ref. to FRONT SUSPENSION>Wheel Alignment>ADJUSTMENT .
Perform reinitialization of the auto headlight beam leveler system. (Model with auto headlight beam leveler) Ref. to LIGHTING SYSTEM>Auto Headlight Beam Leveler System>PROCEDURE .