Suspension Spring ( Coil / Leaf ): Service and Repair

Fig. 1 Exploded view of rear axle & suspension assembly:

1. Raise and support rear of vehicle.
2. Remove both rear wheel and tire assemblies.
3. Remove brake line, retaining clip and flexible hose from center of axle.
4. Remove tension spring, then disconnect parking brake cable and cable joint.
5. Support lower side of axle with a suitable jack.
6. Remove lower shock absorber bolt and disconnect shock from axle, Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 Coil spring removal:

7. Lower jack supporting axle and remove coil spring, Fig. 2.
8. Remove axle-to-body attaching bolts, then lower rear axle assembly from vehicle.

Fig. 3 Coil spring installation:

9. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. When installing coil springs, the thinner end of spring must be attached at upper end and the bottom of spring must be positioned as shown, Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 Setting rear trim height:

b. Rear trim height, Fig. 4, must be set to 15 inches prior to tightening rear axle bolts.