No, you do not have to remove the axle bolt at all. The two bolts that hold the brake piston caliper to the bracket, unscrew them and pull them straight out, the caliper will slide right off (pull toward front of bike. ) Next the brake pads will slide right out of the grooves in the bracket. Pull exhaust side pad toward you and pull other brake pad toward opposite side. Install new pads in opposite order. Install caliper back on the same way. (you may need to use a c-clamp to force the piston back in a little to slide over the newer thicker pads. Make sure the pump the rear brake pedal after you are done to take back out the clearance between the new pads and pistion. May take several pumps on pedal before it becomes firm again.