Radius Arm: Service and Repair
TENSION STRUTREMOVAL
1. Raise the vehicle.
2. Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly from the vehicle.
3. Disconnect the tension strut from the knuckle. To do this, first hold the tension strut from turning by using a wrench on the flat on the tension strut and then remove the nut from the rear of the tension strut. Next, remove the tension strut retainer, then the rear tension strut bayonet bushing from the tension strut.
4. Remove the nuts attaching the parking brake cable bracket to the studs on the tension strut mounting bolt at the frame. Remove the parking brake cable from the studs.
5. Remove the two mounting bolts holding the tension bolts to the frame, then remove the tension strut from the vehicle.
6. Remove the forward bayonet bushing and retainer from the tension strut.
INSPECTION
Inspect the tension strut. Look for signs of contact with any object that has bent or caused other damage to the tension strut. If the tension strut is bent or damaged, the tension strut will require replacement. Do not attempt to repair or straighten a tension strut.
Inspect the tension strut front (spool type) bushing, and rear (bayonet type) bushings and retainers for signs of deterioration or damage. If the front bushing is damaged or shows signs of deterioration, the tension strut must be replaced. The front bushing can not be replaced separately. If the rear bushings are deteriorated or damaged, or the retainers are damaged, replacement is necessary. The bushings and retainers can be replaced separately from the tension strut.
INSTALLATION
1. Install the forward retainer and a bayonet bushing on the tension strut trailing end. Be sure the stepped area of the bushing is installed to face the knuckle.
2. To install the knuckle on the tension, first stick the trailing end through the hole in the lower end of the knuckle, seating the bayonet bushing squarely against the hole. Next, raise the end of the tension strut with the spool bushing into its mounting position on the frame. Install the mounting bolts securing the tension strut to the frame.
3. Tighten the two mounting bolts at the frame to a torque of 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
4. Place the parking brake cable routing bracket on the studs of the tension strut mounting bolts and install the nuts securing it in place. Tighten the nuts to a torque of 28 Nm (250 inch lbs.).
5. Install the rear bayonet bushing on the tension strut. Be sure the stepped area of the bushing is squarely seated into the hole in the knuckle.
6. Install the rear tension strut retainer, then the nut. To completely install the nut, place a wrench on the flat formed into the tension strut and tighten the nut. Tighten the nut to a torque of 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
7. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Tighten the wheel mounting nuts in proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specification. Repeat the tightening sequence, this time, to full specified torque of 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
8. Lower the vehicle to ground level.
9. Set the rear toe on the vehicle to specification as necessary.