Removal

NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a aluminum alloy rear suspension crossmember that spans the distance between the rear frame rails. It is isolated from the frame rails with the use, of rubber isolator bushings These bushings may be replaced separately.

1. Open the fuel filler door. Remove the 3 fuel filler neck attaching screws. Remove the fuel filler cap.
2. Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a frame contact type hoist.
3. Remove both rear wheel and tire assemblies from the vehicle.

Lateral Link Attachment To Crossmember:

4. Remove the nut and bolt attaching each of the 4 lateral links to the crossmember. The bolt for the left front lateral link may not be removed at this time. Remove the nut only. Once the crossmember is lowered, the bolt can be easily removed. Notice the forward attaching bolts face rearward.

CAUTION: The bolts attaching the forward lateral links to the crossmember must be installed with the bolts pointing rearward to prevent damage to the fuel tank and or fuel tubes in case of an accident. The bolt attaching the left rear lateral link must be installed with the bolt pointing forward to prevent damage to the fuel filler tube.

5. Remove the screw securing the brake tubes to the left stabilizer bar isolator bushing retainer.
6. Remove the 4 bolts attaching both stabilizer bar isolator bushing retainers to the frame rails (the 2 rearward attaching bolts also attach the front corners of the rear suspension crossmember in place). Allow the stabilizer bar to hang down.
7. Remove the parking brake cable tensioner from the intermediate parking brake cable. Refer to Brakes and Traction Control for the required service procedure.
8. Remove the parking brake cable tensioner from the left rear parking brake cable. Refer to Brakes and Traction Control for the required service procedure.
9. Remove the right rear parking brake cable from the intermediate parking brake cable. Refer to Brakes and Traction Control for the required service procedure.

Rear Parking Brake And Retainer Clip (Left):

10. Remove the retainer clips securing both rear parking brake cables assemblies to the rear suspension crossmember.
11. Remove parking brake cables from crossmember.

Rear Brake Proportioning Valve:

12. Remove nuts attaching both brake proportioning valves to the rear corners of the crossmember.
13. Position a transmission jack under the muffler.
14. Disconnect the hanger securing the exhaust resonator to the rear frame rail.
15. Disconnect the hangers securing the exhaust muffler to the rear suspension crossmember. There is one hanger on each side of the muffler.
16. Lower the transmission jack and muffler enough to allow for better access to the rear crossmember.
17. Remove the screw securing the fuel filler neck to the left frame rail.
18. Remove the final 2 bolts attaching the rear suspension crossmember to the frame rails. These are located at the rear corners of the crossmember.
19. Lower rear suspension crossmember as low as possible to allow for removal of lateral link attaching bolt at left front corner of crossmember.

CAUTION: The bolts attaching the forward lateral links to the crossmember must be installed with the bolts pointing rearward to prevent damage to the fuel tank and or fuel tubes. Also, the bolt attaching the left rear lateral link must be installed with the bolt pointing forward to prevent damage to the fuel filler tube.

20. Remove the link attaching bolt and link from the left front corner of the crossmember.
21. Remove the rear suspension crossmember from the vehicle.