Rear axle carrier — removal and installation
Warning: Dust created by the brake system is harmful to your health. Never blow it out with compressed air and don’t inhale any of it. Do not, under any circumstances, use petroleum-based solvents to clean brake parts. Use brake system cleaner only.
Removal
1. Loosen the wheel lug nuts, raise the vehicle and support it securely on jack stands. Block the front wheels and remove the rear wheel.
2. Remove the rear brake disc (see Brakes). Don’t detach the brake hose from the caliper; hang it with a length of wire.
3. Remove the rear hub and bearing assembly (see Hub and bearing assembly (rear) — removal and installation).
4. It isn’t necessary to disassemble the brake shoe assembly or disconnect the parking brake cable from the backing plate. Detach the backing plate and rear parking brake assembly from the axle carrier. Suspend the backing plate and brake assembly
from the coil spring with a piece of wire.
5. Remove the wheel speed sensor from the axle carrier.
6. Loosen, but don’t remove the strut-to- axle carrier bolts (see illustration).
7. Detach the strut rod and suspension arms from the axle carrier (see Sections Strut rod — removal and installation and Suspension arms (rear) — removal and installation.
8. Remove the loosened strut-to-axle carrier bolts while supporting the carrier so it doesn’t fall and detach the axle carrier from the strut bracket.
Installation
9. Inspect the carrier bushing for cracks, deformation and signs of wear. If it is worn out, take the carrier to a dealer service department or another repair shop to have the old one pressed out and a new one pressed in.
10. Push the axle carrier into the strut bracket, aligning the two bolt holes. Insert the two stratocracies’ bolts and tighten them to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
11. Connect the suspension arms to the axle carrier, but don’t tighten the nut (s) yet.
12. Connect the strut rod to the axle carrier, but don’t tighten the nut yet.
13. Place a jack under the carrier and raise it to simulate normal ride height.
14. Tighten the suspension arm bolt (s)/nut(s) and the strut rod bolt/nut to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
15. Reattach the wheel speed sensor to the axle carrier.
16. Attach the brake backing plate to the axle carrier, install the hub and tighten the four bolts to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
17. Install the rear brake disc and caliper (see Brakes).
18. Install the wheel and lug nuts.
19. Bleed the wheel cylinder (see Brakes).
20. Lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts to the torque listed in the Tune-up and routine maintenance Specifications.