GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2009 🢒 Matiz 🢒 Suspension 🢒 Rear Suspension 🢒 Rear Axle Replacement

Removal Procedure
  1. Remove the rear brake drums. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement.

    2. Warning: To prevent personal injury and/or component damage, use the proper tools to support the trailing arm when removing the coil spring. The coil spring is under extreme pressure and can become a projectile should the spring separate from the trailing arm before all of the tension is relieved.


    Object Number: 1618661 Size: SH
  2. Support the rear axle (1) with an adjustable jack.
  3. Remove the rear shock absorbers. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement.

    4. Object Number: 1618778 Size: SH
  4. Remove the nuts (2) and the bolts (1) that secure the rear axle to the body.
  5. Disconnect the rear brake pipes. Refer to Rear Brake Hose Replacement.
  6. Remove the ABS sensors from the rear axle. Refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement.
  7. Remove the park brake lever. Refer to Parking Brake Lever Replacement.
  8. Remove the park brake cables from the rear brakes. Refer to Park Brake Cable Replacement.

    9. Object Number: 1618807 Size: SH
  9. Slowly lower the jack and the rear axle (1).
  10. Remove the coil springs from the rear axle.
  11. Lower the jack completely and remove the rear axle from the vehicle.

    12. Object Number: 1618814 Size: SH
  12. Remove the rear bumper stoppers (2).
  13. Remove the rear spring upper seats (1).
  14. Remove the rear spring lower seats (3).

Installation Procedure
  1. Support the rear axle securely with an adjustable jack.

    2. Object Number: 1618814 Size: SH
  2. Install the rear spring lower seats (3).
  3. Install the rear spring upper seats (1).
  4. Install the rear bumper stoppers (2).

    5. Note: The upper spring diameter is smaller than the lower spring diameter.

  5. Install the coil springs to the rear axle. Position the lower tip of each coil spring on the gap in each lower spring seat.
  6. Raise the jack slowly in order to install the springs to the upper spring seats.

    7. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1618778 Size: SH
  7. Install the nuts (2) and the bolts (1) that secure the rear axle to the body and tighten to 80 N·m (59 lb ft).
  8. Install the park brake cables to the rear brakes. Refer to Park Brake Cable Replacement.
  9. Install the park brake lever. Refer to Parking Brake Lever Replacement.
  10. Install the rear brake pipes. Refer to Rear Brake Hose Replacement.
  11. Install the ABS sensors to the rear axle. Refer to Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement.
  12. Install the rear shock absorbers. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement.
  13. Install the rear brake drums. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement.
  14. Bleed the brake system. Refer to Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding.
  15. Remove the jack.
  16. Lower the vehicle.