Rear Axle: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Subaru Forester. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Temporarily tighten the housing assembly - rear axle to the upper arm assembly.
Install the rear axle shaft assembly.
CAUTION:
- Do not tap the axle shaft using a hammer when installing axle shaft assembly.
- Use new nut - axle.
1. Insert the axle shaft assembly into the hub spline, and pull in the axle shaft assembly into specified position.
2. Temporarily tighten the nut - axle.
Tighten the rear strut assembly, rear stabilizer link assembly and other links to the specified torque.
Tightening torque:

Rear suspension: < Ref. to REAR SUSPENSION , COMPONENT, General Description. >

Rear strut: < Ref. to REAR STRUT , COMPONENT, General Description. >
Install the rear disc rotor.
Install the caliper body assembly.
Tightening torque:

66 N.m (6.73 kgf-m, 48.7 ft-lb)
Install the brake hose bracket and rear ABS wheel speed sensor.
Tightening torque:

Brake hose bracket: 33 N.m (3.36 kgf-m, 24.3 ft-lb)

Rear ABS wheel speed sensor: 7.5 N.m (0.76 kgf-m, 5.5 ft-lb)
Install the sensor assembly - headlight beam leveler. (Model with auto headlight beam leveler)
Tightening torque:

7.5 N.m (0.76 kgf-m, 5.5 ft-lb)
While depressing the brake pedal, tighten new nuts - axle to the specified torque.
CAUTION: Do not load the rear axle before tightening the nut - axle. Doing so may damage the hub unit COMPL.

Tightening torque:

190 N.m (19.37 kgf-m, 140.1 ft-lb)
Inspect the lean of axis direction using a dial gauge. Replace the hub unit COMPL - rear axle if the play exceeds the limit.

Fig 1: Checking Lean Of Axis Direction Using Dial Gauge
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Service limit:

Maximum: 0.05 mm (0.0020 in)
After tightening the nut - axle, lock it securely.

Fig 2: Locking Axle Nut
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Install the rear wheels, and perform the following inspections.
Tightening torque:

120 N.m (12.24 kgf-m, 88.5 ft-lb)
1. Check the wheels for smooth rotation.
2. Check that there is no play by moving the upper and lower portions of rear tire in an axial direction with the brake pedal released.
  
  Fig 3: Checking Wheels For Smooth Rotation
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  - Play exists → Check the hub unit COMPL - rear axle. < Ref. to INSPECTION , Rear Hub Unit Bearing. >
Inspect the wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
- Inspection: < Ref. to INSPECTION , Wheel Alignment. >
- Adjustment: < Ref. to ADJUSTMENT , Wheel Alignment. >
Perform reinitialization of the auto headlight beam leveler system. (Model with auto headlight beam leveler) < Ref. to PROCEDURE , Auto Headlight Beam Leveler System. >