1999 Carrera 4 Rear Suspension Rebuild and Wheel Hub Removal

[Jerry996]

I am experiencing some strange tire noise and tire wear at my right rear wheel. The right rear tire has lost half its tread compared to the left rear and is making some noise (sounds like a small motorcycle behind me). With 152K miles I decided to replace all rear suspension components. I wanted to remove the wheel hub and take it to a shop for a diagnosis on the wheel bearing. Bentley says I have to remove the bolts holding the CV axle at the transmission, so far they won't budge. I don't recall removing those when rebuilding the front suspension. If I disconnect all components from the wheel hub and leave the CV axle connected at the transmission am I asking for trouble? Any help is much appreciated!

 

Thanks in advance, Jerry

[JFP in PA]

Getting the axle to release from the hub may be difficult if it is still attached at the transmission end.  The bolts on the transmission flange should not be all that tight (60 ft. lbs.).

[Jerry996]

Thanks, JFP. I'll give it another go in the morning. Not sure if that axle has ever been off the car or not, maybe over-tightened or I'm just getting weak.

[Jerry996]

I got my son to crank on it and remove those bolts, way more than 60 ft. lbs. he estimates.

I got the axle loose at the wheel hub using my air hammer but can't seem to find the space for the axle to back outof the wheel hub. I jacked up the wheel hub a bit but it doesn't seem to give me much more room. Is there a trick? Or do I need to remove more parts.

I wanted to remove the axle so I could get better access to the nut on the coffin arm, but the socket hits the CV boot. I can get a wrench on it but it only moves .1mm before I hit the other arm. I'll take another look later this evening when things cool down.

[JFP in PA]

With the axles hanging down, there should be enough room.  You can try rotating the bearing hub with the axle hanging to gain enough space to pull it out. It sometimes helps to jack up the hub end slightly as well.

 

Some people disconnect the bottom of the shock to get more room:

 

[Jerry996]

Got the axle out after removing the shock bolt and pulling the wheel hub sideways. Still need to remove the coffin arm and the e-brake cable. On first try the cable doesn't want to fit through the wheel hub (I do have the pieces off the end and there is just very end left (an eye) but it doesn't seem to fit through the hole. More research tomorrow.