Log in

View Full Version : Another rotted out rear axle beam

09GLH
05-22-2025, 01:19 PM
So over the past few years I have been hearing this clunking out of the back of my 09 5DHB. I would always look in the side mirror for a bolt or a rock to kick out from under the car, never seeing anything. So a couple weeks ago I get back from work and park in the driveway...poorly.

I came out the next morning incredulous at my parking job when I noticed the rear wheels. The passenger rear looked normal, the drivers rear looked like it was stanced. Tucked in the wheel well 3" on top, you could almost see under the outside of the bottom of the tire. That's when I looked under the car and saw this:

https://i.imgur.com/79RjyBX.jpeg

After I got the wheel off
https://i.imgur.com/wT4NDNT.jpeg

The backing plates and spindles all need to be replaced. I picked up new OEM brake hoses, backing plates, brake cylinders, and the axle beam. Easier to drop all new parts in than try to restore baklava steel.

Axle beam
Stoystown Auto Wreckers
#4211052332

Backing plate
Part No.: 47044-52100
PLATE SUB-ASSY, BRAK

Backing plate
Part No.: 47043-52100
PLATE SUB-ASSY, BRAK

Brake hose
Part No.: 90947-02E09
HOSE, FLEXIBLE

Brake hose
Part No.: 90947-02E10
HOSE, FLEXIBLE

Rear spindle/ABS sensor
RAYBESTOS 712370

Alldata recommends replacing the parking brake cable clamp with new, so I had to try and find these

Clamp SUB - Assembly, Parking
4640252030

Seriously all the steel under here looks like baklava. Just flaky steel, pulling off in big rust cookies.

https://i.imgur.com/6mGuvNm.jpeg

Case of fluid film will coat all the new stuff when I'm finished, inside and out. Will add more photos of the work once I get there.
09GLH
05-29-2025, 08:28 PM
AllData lists the clamp that holds the parking brake as non-reusable. However once the axle is out, you can use a long straight screwdriver to depress the clips that hold it in and pop it out. No need to replace it, if you can even find a dealer that still carries 4640252030. I ordered from 8 dealerships near me and all of them got cancelled because they couldn't get it. With all the rusty cracks and holes you can see the sides you need to depress while you wiggle up. No biggie.
09GLH
05-29-2025, 09:06 PM
Got the axle out this afternoon, you can see how bad these get. No wonder I heard clunking back there.

https://i.imgur.com/CUHNRAv.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/P7LuFDL.jpeg
Billiam
05-29-2025, 11:22 PM
Thats about one mine looked like. I was fortunate though, in that I didn't need any other parts. Everything else was in good shape
09GLH
05-30-2025, 10:18 AM
Thats about one mine looked like. I was fortunate though, in that I didn't need any other parts. Everything else was in good shape

The backing plates I could have reused, but were delaminating pretty bad. Those got replaced. Already had new wheel cylinders from a previous brake job. The bearings were coming apart on the inside where the sensor is so those had to be replaced. All the springs, pins, and brake shoes were fine. I ended up not using the rubber lines either. So I only needed 2 extra parts to add to the new axle beam, luckily.

How many miles had you put on when you had to replace the beam? I'm sitting at 292,300.
bladesmith6
05-30-2025, 07:20 PM
Its not really the mileage its how long you had the car and how much time it spends outside. Mine is 17 years no garage in PA but it looks like it is about to go, shopping for a corolla hatchback right now since finding a 2015-2018 hatchback with low mile and a 5 speed is impossible around here. Gonna miss my little pod....
Billiam
05-30-2025, 10:22 PM
The backing plates I could have reused, but were delaminating pretty bad. Those got replaced. Already had new wheel cylinders from a previous brake job. The bearings were coming apart on the inside where the sensor is so those had to be replaced. All the springs, pins, and brake shoes were fine. I ended up not using the rubber lines either. So I only needed 2 extra parts to add to the new axle beam, luckily.

How many miles had you put on when you had to replace the beam? I'm sitting at 292,300.

3 years ago is when this happened.....so car would have been about 13 years old and about 160k miles.
09GLH
05-31-2025, 03:29 AM
Its not really the mileage its how long you had the car and how much time it spends outside. Mine is 17 years no garage in PA but it looks like it is about to go, shopping for a corolla hatchback right now since finding a 2015-2018 hatchback with low mile and a 5 speed is impossible around here. Gonna miss my little pod....

Sure it does. This car is 16 and lives outside. It was all highway miles before covid and my company went hybrid. It's sat since about 2021, only going in once a week to work and little jaunts around town for appointments. I only ask to see how long most are making it before falling apart. Mine was making noises back there for the last 7-8 years at least.
Billiam
05-31-2025, 08:08 AM
The dirt and road grime that accumulates in the trailing arms doesn't happen without being driven. Being outside itself isn't the problem....though exposure to winter salt/chemicals doesn't help. The more it's drven the more likely debri buildup is. These things rot from the inside.