Removal Procedure
Tools Required
Important: Ensure that the vehicle rear wheel on the service side is off of the
floor.
- Block the wheels.
- Raise the rear axle and place the supports under the frame rails.
Ensure that the vehicle rear wheels are off the floor. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- Release the parking brake.
- Remove the rear tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Dual Rear)
.
- Remove the rear axle shaft. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement
.
- Remove the rear drum. Refer to
Brake Drum Replacement
.
- Remove the brake caliper. Refer to
Brake Caliper Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Remove the following components from the rear wheel bearing:
• | The rear bearing inner nut |
- Remove the rear hub and rotor assembly.
- Remove the rear hub from brake rotor. Refer toBrake Rotor Replacement
.
- Remove the rear wheel bearing outer cone assembly.
- Remove the following components:
• | The rear wheel bearing seal |
• | The rear wheel bearing inner cone assembly |
Notice: When cleaning wheel bearing components, use only clean mineral spirits.
Do not spin-dry the bearing. Bearing components may be damaged if cleaned
with the wrong solvent and/or dried by spinning the bearing.
- Clean the rear wheel bearing cones and the rear hub using clean mineral
spirits.
- Clean the rear brake rotor and the rear axle housing spindle.
Use brake parts cleaner GM P/N 12345754 or equivalent.
- Inspect the rear wheel hub. Replace the hub, if damaged.
- Inspect the rear wheel stud for looseness and damaged threads.
- Inspect the rear wheel bearing for the following conditions:
- Inspect the rear axle spindle for damage.
- Inspect the rear axle (shaft) flange studs for damaged threads
and bends.
- Inspect the rear brake rotor for scoring.
- Inspect the rear brake drum. Refer to
Brake Drum Inspection
in Air Drum.
Installation Procedure
- Install synthetic lubricant in the following locations:
• | The rear axle housing tube |
• | The inside of the wheel hub |
• | The rear wheel hub bearing seal lip |
• | The rear axle spindle seal lip contact surface |
• | The rear wheel hub bearing inner cone assembly |
Important: When installing the new rear wheel bearing inner cone, always replace
the rear wheel bearing inner cup.
- Install the rear wheel bearing inner cone.
Notice: Do not continue to hammer after rear wheel hub bearing seal is fully
seated. This may cause damage to the rear wheel hub bearing seal.
- Apply silicone sealer (RTV), or equivalent, to the OD of the rear wheel
bearing seal. The silicone sealer will overcome minor faults in the rear
wheel bearing seal bore.
- Install the rear wheel bearing seal. Perform the following steps:
4.1. | Ensure that the rear wheel hub bearing seal lip faces inward. |
4.3. | Hold the tool handle vertical. Strike a sharp blow with the hammer
in order to start the rear wheel hub bearing seal into the rear wheel hub
bore. |
4.4. | Tap the rear wheel hub bearing seal down into place. |
4.5. | Install the rear hub to the brake rotor. Refer toBrake Rotor Replacement
in Disc Brakes. |
Important: When installing a new rear wheel bearing outer cone, always replace
the rear wheel bearing outer cup.
- Install the rear wheel bearing outer cone. Push the cone firmly into
place.
- Install the rear hub and
rotor assembly. Do not damage the rear wheel bearing seal.
- Install the following rear wheel bearing components:
• | The rear bearing inner nut |
- Install the brake caliper. Refer to
Brake Caliper Replacement
in Disc Brakes.
- Install rear brake drum. Refer to
Brake Drum Replacement
in Air Drums.
- Adjust the rear wheel bearings. Refer to
Wheel Bearing Adjustment
.
- Install the rear axle shaft. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement
in Driveline Axle.
- Install the rear tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Dual Rear)
- Remove the supports from under the frame rails and lower the rear
axle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- Remove the wheel blocks.