Rear Axle Removal

[chrisg]

Evening All,

I'm part way through my winter project/job of removing the rear axle from the 951 to replace the various bushes and the brake and fuel pipes. A quick question, the two rubber/ metal cotton reel bushes that sit within the aluminium arms, how easy is it to remove/ replace them ?

The reason I ask is that on the near side the bolt holding the axle in wouldn't budge so I've had to creatively remove the head and shaft so that it can be dropped down. Bottom line, as a bare minimum, the bolt and bush will need to be replaced on the near side.

Any guidance or advice on replacing these gratefully received !

 

[colin944]

I removed the entire rear end from my s2 and replaced all the bushes with poly.The bush on the inner end of the aluminium arms came out easily using a press and a couple of large sockets.the really hard one are the two that attach the torsion bars to the body under the arch.Also check the condition of the mounts at the upper end of the torsion bar tube onto the body in the middle of the wheel arch.I would replace these while you are doing the job.

 

[FistsOfHam]

Had the same problem myself, had to saw through the bolt either side of the bush in order to drop the axle off.

To remove the bush I couldn't get anything through it to pull it out so had to use a knife to cut away the rubber then fashion up some strange device using two large pieces of metal and a deep socket so I could place a threaded bar around the carrier and push the bush out from behind. Eventually it moved enough so that I could knock it out with a hammer but it was a very fiddly job I don't plan on doing ever again if I can help it.

Also the replacement bolt is no longer available from Porsche. I had to source a replacement from a nut & bolt specialist who had one on the shelf for a couple of quid, result.

 

[chrisg]

Thanks both for the comments and advice. I've finally managed to drop the rear axle this evening, very satisfying and pleasing after several hours with a Dremel ! Not so when I realised most of the axle weight was being supported by the two aeroquip hoses which I'd forgotten to disconnect.... Durrrh.

Anyhow, I cut through these as wasn't happy that I may have damaged them so will replace. I'm sure I read somewhere that these should be replaced after x many years, they've been on my car for > 6yrs and at ~ £40 for a pair won't break the bank.

All I have to do now is tackle the fuel and brake pipes ! Oh and then work out how to remove the very stubborn bush from the N/S without wrecking the ali arm !