Removing
1. Park the vehicle on level ground, engage a gear, and block the front wheels.
2. Jack up the rear of the vehicle and place it securely on axle stands so that both wheels are off the ground; then remove the wheels.
3. Acting as described in the relevant Section 9 Chapters, remove the brake drums and disconnect the brake cables from the drum brake support shields; only on pickup models. Detach the brake pressure control valve spring from the torsion beam axle.
4. Disconnect the brake pipes from the working brake cylinders (Section 9), so that the brake and hub assemblies can be removed with the torsion beam axle, or remove the rear stub axle (Chapter 9), so that the drum brake support plate can be separated and moved to the side without disconnecting the brake pipes.
5. Turn off bolts where it is necessary, release cables of a manual brake and brake pipes from an axis of a torsion beam and its hinges. Move them aside and secure so that they are not twisted or damaged.
6. Turn off bolts of the bottom fastening of the block of a suspension bracket.
7. Unscrew the nuts of the hinges of the main torsion beam (see photo). Have an assistant on the opposite side knock out the bolts and lower the axle assembly to the ground.
8. Do not disturb the hinge brackets; see chapter 12.
9. Thoroughly clean the axle and bottom areas around the mounts, remove dirt (and anti-corrosion coating of the bottom, if necessary), then carefully inspect the components for corrosion, cracks, deformation, or any other signs of wear or damage; don't forget to check the hinge bolts and nuts. Replace any worn or damaged components.
10. If the axle, axle pivot brackets, or bottom are rusty, clean the damaged area down to bare metal and paint it. If the threads of the union nut of the pivot bracket are damaged, seek expert advice.
11. Check the pivot bushings and replace if cracked, worn or otherwise damaged. Removal and installation will require a press or vice, as well as a socket or piece of tube; before removing, soak the old bushing with a special penetrating liquid, and when installing a new bushing, use liquid soap or petroleum jelly.
Installation
12. Install in the reverse order of removal paying attention to the following.
- a) All fasteners should only be lightly tightened at first until the suspension is assembled and the vehicle is on the ground. With the vehicle on its wheels, rock the vehicle until the suspension components are properly seated, then tighten all nuts and bolts to the specified torque specifications.
- b) Guided by relevant Chapters of Section 9, assemble and adjust the brake system components.