Semi-axle service — removal and installation

Note. To replace the bearing, you will need a 58.2 mm tubular wrench and a press with backing plates.

Note. To lubricate all, a lithium-based general purpose grease should be used unless otherwise noted in the procedure.

Removing

1. Jack up the rear of the vehicle and place it on jack stands. Remove the rear wheel.

2. On models with rear wheel drum brakes, remove the drum assembly from the axle shaft and disconnect the brake pipe from the rear of the wheel cylinder. Plug the tube and cylinder fitting to prevent dirt from entering the hydraulic system.

3. On models with rear disc brakes (see accompanying illustration) give the fixing bolts, remove the caliper from the chassis and wire it to the side to the suspension element.



4. Remove the brake disc from the semi-axle flange, and the dust screen from the support bracket of the caliper.

5. Give nuts of fastening of a casing of the bearing of a semiaxis to a case of the back bridge and by means of a hammer with a sliding head take semiaxle assembly.

Note. If a sliding hammer is not available, return the brake drum/disc to its position on the axle shaft and loosely screw on the wheel nuts, then use the drum/disc as a sliding hammer (do not hit it with an ordinary hammer).

6. On models with rear wheel drum brakes, remove the shims and boot from the bearing housing. Throw away the duster.



7. On models with disc rear brakes (see accompanying illustration) remove the o-ring from the axle shaft flange and discard it.

8. Using a lever, remove the axle shaft inner oil seal from the axle housing.

Installation

Installation is in the reverse order.

1. Lubricate the lips of the new oil seal and install the oil seal in the axle housing.

2. On models with rear disc brakes, perform the following procedures:

• Lubricate the new O-ring and install it in the axle housing.
• Install the axle shaft, - try not to damage the inner oil seal. Tighten the fixing nuts with a force of 53÷63 Nm.
• Install the brake disc and caliper and tighten the fixing bolts to 38÷52 Nm.

3. On drum models:

• Install the brake shield on the axle housing and securely fasten the brake pipe.
• Install a new boot on the bearing housing, then insert one axle shaft, being careful not to damage the inner oil seal. Do not install shims at this stage.
• Screw on the axle shaft nuts and tighten them with a force of 53 ÷ 63 Nm.
• Install a new boot and a set of shims with a total thickness of 1.6 mm on the bearing housing of the opposite axle shaft. insert the axle shaft, taking care not to damage the inner oil seal.

Note. Make sure that the shims are not installed between the anther and the bearing housing.

• Firmly tighten the axle shaft nuts until the bearing housing rests against the brake shield. Otherwise, the axle shaft will be jammed.

Note. If the axle shaft begins to jam, do not tighten the nuts further, as this is fraught with damage to the bearing housing.

• Fix the dial gauge on the brake shield, with the plunger to the end of the axle shaft flange and measure the axial play of the latter.
• Select adjusting washers of the required thickness and install them, achieving an axial play of 0.02 ÷ 0.15 mm. Washers must not be installed between the boot and the bearing housing.

Note. The amount of axial play increases with the addition of shims, and vice versa. The difference in the thickness of the sets of shims for the left and right axle shafts should not exceed one millimeter. If necessary, remove washers from one set and add them to another.

• Tighten the axle shaft nuts with a force of 53 ÷ 63 Nm and repeat the procedure of paragraph (f).
• Install the brake drum and bleed the hydraulic system.

Bearing replacement

1. Remove the axle shaft.

2. Clamp the axle shaft in a vise and unbend the tabs of the lock washer of the bearing fastening nut.

3. Using a 58.2 mm wrench, loosen the bearing retaining nut and discard the lock washer.

4. Install the axle shaft in the press, supporting the bearing housing with support plates (on models with rear drum brakes), or caliper support bracket (on models with rear disc brakes. Press the shaft out of the bearing housing.


5. On models with rear wheel drum brakes (see accompanying illustration) remove the oil seal from the bearing housing and discard it. Also remove the distance ring from the axle shaft.



6. On models with disc rear brakes, remove the inner race of the outer bearing of the axle shaft, the oil seal and the spacer ring from the axle shaft. Discard the seal.

7. Using a brass drift, remove the bearing outer race from the bearing housing.

8. Inspect the axle shaft for cracks, signs of wear and deformation. Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the slots.

9. Also check the bearing housing for signs of wear, cracks or other damage.

The bearing is installed in the reverse order.

1. Using a brass drift, seat the outer race of the bearing into the casing until it stops against the hangers.

2. Stuff the bearing (And) and the space between the seal lips with high-temperature lithium-based multipurpose grease. When lubricating a bearing (ov) carefully pack grease into the gaps between the rollers, the inner race and the cage.


3. On models with rear disc brakes:

• Install the inner race of the outer bearing into the casing, then, using a suitable mandrel, fill the stuffing box into the casing until it stops against the hangers.
• Put the distance ring and caliper bracket on the axle shaft, then press the axle shaft into the bearings, resting the outer race on the mandrel and making sure not to damage the oil seal.
• Pack the space between the oil seal and spacer with high temperature lithium based multipurpose grease.

4. On models with rear drum brakes, put the spacer ring and bearing housing on the axle shaft, then, using a brass punch or piece of tube, fit the inner race on the axle shaft.

5. Install the lock washer, lubricate the contact surface of the fixing nut and tighten the nut with a force of 441÷490 Nm. Bend one of the tabs of the lock washer.

6. While holding the axle shaft, rotate the bearing housing assembly three times, checking for freedom of rotation.

7. Install the axle shaft in the axle housing.