Removal
1 Raise the rear of the vehicle and support it on stands (see “Jacking and Vehicle Support”). Remove the rear roadwheels.

2 Support the axle tube on a jack preferably of trolley type.

3 Remove the rear hub as described in Section 9.

4 Disconnect the brake hydraulic pipes and hoses at the axle tube bracket. Plug the pipe and hose ends after removal.

5 Disconnect the brake pipe unions at the rear wheel cylinders then undo the four bolts each side and remove both rear brake backplates.

6 Undo the axle-to-roadspring retaining Ubolt nuts and remove the U-bolts.

7 Lower the axle tube to the ground while at the same time sliding the light laden valve link rod from its spacer tube. Remove the link rod and bush from the axle tube.

8 Withdraw the axle from under the vehicle.

Refitting
9 Refitting is the reverse sequence to removal bearing in mind the following: a) Adjust the hub bearings as described in Section 8.

b) Tighten the U-bolt nuts to the specified torque with the weight of the vehicle on its roadwheels.

c) Bleed the brake hydraulic system and adjust the light laden valve as described in Chapter 9.