Removal and Installation

NOTE: Access for the nuts attaching the rear shock absorber upper mount is from the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The top of the vehicle must be up to access the attaching nuts.

REMOVAL






1. Remove the plastic access panel in the convertible top storage well.
2. Roll back the sound matting in the corner of the convertible top storage well to access the shock absorber attaching nuts.






3. Remove the 2 nuts attaching the shock absorber upper mount/spring seat to the body of the vehicle.
4. Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a frame contact type hoist. Refer to Maintenance for the required lifting procedure to be used for this vehicle
5. Remove the rear wheel and tire from the vehicle.

Fig. 5:

6. Remove bolt attaching shock absorber to rear knuckle.
7. Remove the shock absorber from the vehicle using the following procedure: First remove the shock absorber from the rear knuckle. Then remove the shock absorber upper mount from the body of the vehicle. For the required clearance to remove the shock absorber upper mount from the body it may be necessary to push down on the rear suspension.






8. Move shock absorber downward and tilt top of shock outward. Then remove shock absorber from vehicle through ton of wheel opening.

INSTALLATION
1. Install shock absorber back in vehicle using the reverse sequence of removal.
2. Install upper shock absorber mount into the mounting holes in rear shock tower.
3. Push down on rear knuckle to obtain clearance and then install shock absorber clevis bracket on rear knuckle.
4. Align clevis bracket on shock absorber with bushing in knuckle. Install and tighten bolt to a torque of 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
5. Lower vehicle far enough to gain access to the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
6. Install and tighten the 2 shock absorber mounting bracket attaching nuts to a torque of 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.).
7. Install the sound matting over the top of the shock absorber attaching nuts.
8. Install the plastic access panel in the convertible top storage well.
9. Install wheel and tire assembly on vehicle. Then torque all wheel mounting stud nuts in proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specification. Then repeat tightening sequence to full specified torque of 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
10. Lower the vehicle to the ground.