Trailing Arm: Service and Repair
REMOVE1. Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a frame contact type hoist. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly from the vehicle.
3. Remove the bolt attaching the trailing arm to the bracket on the bottom of the spindle.
4. Remove the 4 bolts attaching the arm forward mounting bracket to the frame rail and rear torque box.
5. Remove the trailing arm and forward mounting bracket from vehicle.
6. Remove the bolt attaching the trailing arm to the mounting bracket.
INSTALL
CAUTION: When the trailing arm is installed to its mounting bracket, it is important to set an offset angle of 5 degrees before tightening the attaching bolt. Otherwise, the bushing will be contorted when the vehicle is at normal riding height. This angle cannot be set once the trailing arm and bracket are installed on the vehicle.
1. Install the trailing arm to the mounting bracket so the length-wise opening in the arm points downward. Align the plane of the arm at a 5 degree angle to the mounting bracket, mounting surface (to the vehicle). This can be accomplished by using a simple magnetic base protractor. Verify the mounting bracket is level, then rotate the trailing arm until 5 degrees is measured. This angle is important to set, so the bushing is not contorted when the vehicle is at normal riding height. Tighten the attaching bolt and nut to a torque of 100 Nm (75 ft. lbs.). This bolt cannot be tightened once mounted on the vehicle.
2. Position the trailing arm and forward mounting bracket into the vehicle. Attach to frame rail and torque box with the 4 attaching bolts. Tighten the attaching bolts to 60 Nm (45 ft. lbs.).
3. Install bolt attaching trailing arm to trailing arm bracket on bottom of spindle. Do not fully tighten attaching bolt at this time.
4. Install wheel and tire assembly on vehicle. Tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specification. Then repeat the tightening sequence to the full specified torque of 129 Nm (95 ft. lbs.).
5. Lower vehicle to the ground.
6. Tighten the trailing arm to spindle bracket attaching bolt to a torque of 100 Nm (75 ft. lbs.).
7. Check and reset rear wheel TOE to specifications if required.