Removal - Spindle

Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a frame contact type hoist.
Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly from the vehicle.
Remove the rear caliper assembly from the adapter. Refer to CALIPER (2002) or REAR BRAKE CALIPER (2003). After removing caliper assembly store caliper by hanging it from frame of vehicle (Fig 1). Do not let weight of rear caliper assembly hang from flexible brake hose. If vehicle is equipped with rear drum brakes, remove the brake flex hose bracket from the support plate and wheel cylinder.

Fig 1: Storing Caliper
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
Remove rear braking disc from hub.
Remove rear hub and bearing assembly cotter pin and nut retainer (Fig 2). Remove the hub and bearing retaining nut and washer from the spindle (Fig 2). Then remove hub and bearing assembly from spindle.

Fig 2: Removing Hub & Bearing Retaining Nut & Washer
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
If vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes, remove the speed sensor head from the rear disc brake adapter (Fig 3).

Fig 3: Fig. 8 Speed Sensor Head
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
Remove the 4 bolts attaching the disc brake adapter to the rear spindle (Fig 4). Then remove the adapter, disc shield, park brake shoes and park brake cable as an assembly from the spindle.

Fig 4: Removing Disc Brake Adapter Mounting Bolts
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
Remove the bolts attaching the trailing arm to the bracket on the bottom of the spindle (Fig 5).

Fig 5: Removing Trailing Arm-To-Bracket Bolt
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
Remove the bolt (Fig 6) attaching the lateral links to the spindle.

Fig 6: Removing Lateral Links-To-Spindle Attaching Bolt
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
Remove the pinch bolt from the spindle (Fig 7).
CAUTION: When inserting center punch into rear spindle, use care so point of center punch does not puncture strut assembly.

Fig 7: Removing Spindle Pinch Bolt
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
Insert a center punch into the hole on the spindle (Fig 8). Center punch must be tapped into the hole in the spindle until jammed into place. This will spread the spindle casting allowing it to be removed from strut assembly.

Fig 8: Inserting Center Punch In Spindle
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
Using a hammer and a brass drift punch, tap on top surface of spindle (Figure), driving it off the end of the strut assembly.