Axle Shaft: Service and Repair
Fig. 1 Axle shaft components. Models w/pressed bearings:
MODELS WITH PRESSED BEARINGS
1. Raise and support rear of vehicle.
2. Remove the rear wheel and brake drum.
3. Remove the brakes shoes assembly.
4. Remove the bolts holding the brake backing plate and bearing retainer to the axle housing. On RX-7 and 1984 Pickup models, disconnect brake line and parking brake cable, then remove axle shaft and backing plate as an assembly.
5. Remove the axle shaft assembly, Fig. 1 with a suitable puller.
6. Remove the oil seal from the axle housing, if necessary.
Fig. 2 Axle shaft components. Exc. 1986 B2000 & 1987-88 B2200 & B2600 models w/bearing housing:
Fig. 3 Axle shaft components. 1987-88 B2200 & B2600 models w/bearing housing (1986 B2000 similar):
MODELS WITH BEARING HOUSING
1. Raise and support rear end of the vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel, then the center cap adapter from the rear axle shaft flange, if equipped.
3. Remove brake drum.
4. Remove the brake shoe assembly.
5. Remove the parking brake cable retainer.
6. Disconnect the brake fluid pipes at the wheel cylinders.
7. Remove the nuts holding the backing plate and bearing housing to the axle housing.
8. Pull the axle shaft, backing plate, bearing housing assembly and shims off the axle housing, Figs. 2 and 3.