Lateral Stabilizer Rod: Service and Repair

REMOVAL- LATERAL LINKS
The left forward lateral link requires a more involved removal and installation procedure in order to remove the attaching bolt at the crossmember. See separate procedures below for the proper lateral link service procedure.

LEFT FORWARD LATERAL LINK
1. Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a frame contact hoist.
2. Remove left rear wheel and tire assembly from the vehicle.

3. Remove the nut and bolt attaching the left lateral links to the spindle.
4. Remove the nut attaching the left forward lateral link to the rear suspension 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 link attaching bolt faces 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. Also, the left rear lateral arm attaching bolt to the crossmember is to be installed pointing forward to prevent possible 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 out of the way.
7. Remove the screw securing the fuel filler neck to the left frame rail.
8. Position a transmission jack under the fuel tank.
9. Remove the attaching bolts securing both fuel tank mounting straps. First, remove the right, then the left attaching bolt. Allow the straps to hang down.
10. Lower the transmission jack and fuel tank just enough to allow for removal of the lateral link attaching bolt at the crossmember.
11. Remove the left forward lateral link from the crossmember.

LEFT REAR AND BOTH RIGHT LATERAL LINKS
1. Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a frame contact hoist.
2. Remove rear wheel and tire assembly from the vehicle.

3. Remove the nut and bolt attaching the left lateral links to the spindle.
4. Remove the nut and bolt attaching the lateral link to the rear suspension crossmember. Note the direction in which the lateral arm attaching bolt is installed.

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

1. Attach the left forward lateral link to crossmember. Install mounting bolt through the front of the crossmember mount towards the rear. Install the lateral link attaching nut, but DO NOT fully tighten at this time.

CAUTION: Tightening the lateral link attaching bolt at this point will cause the bushing to contort when the vehicle is at curb riding height, thus contributing to premature failure of the lateral link bushings.

2. Raise the fuel tank up into mounting position.
3. Reattach the fuel tank straps, securing the fuel tank in place.
4. Remove transmission jack supporting the fuel tank.
5. Reinstall the fuel filler neck attaching screw and secure the fuel filler neck to the left frame rail.
6. Install the 4 bolts attaching both stabilizer bar isolator bushing retainers to the frame rails (the 2 rearward attaching bolts attach the front corners of the rear suspension crossmember in place). Tighten the forward stabilizer bar isolator bushing retainer attaching bolts to 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.). Tighten the 2 rearward stabilizer bar isolator bushing retainer attaching bolts (which also serve as the front crossmember attaching bolts) to 100 Nm (75 ft. lbs.).
7. Install the screw securing the brake tubes to the left stabilizer bar isolator bushing retainer.

8. Install the lateral links on the spindle. Install, but DO NOT fully tighten the attaching bolt and nut at this time.

CAUTION: Tightening the lateral link attaching bolt at this point will cause the bushing to contort when the vehicle is at curb riding height, thus contributing to premature failure of the lateral link bushings.

9. Install rear wheel and tire assembly on vehicle.
10. 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.).
11. Lower vehicle to the ground.
12. Tighten lateral arm to crossmember attaching bolt 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
13. Tighten lateral arm to spindle attaching bolt 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
14. Check and reset rear wheel toe to specifications if required.

LEFT REAR AND BOTH RIGHT LATERAL LINKS
1. Attach the lateral link to crossmember. Rear lateral link attachment bolts should be installed from the rear and point forward. Forward lateral link attachment bolts should be installed from the front and point rearward.

3. Install the lateral links on the spindle. Install, but DO NOT fully tighten the attaching bolt and nut at this time.
4. Install rear wheel and tire assembly on vehicle.
5. 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.).
6. Lower vehicle to the ground.
7. Tighten lateral arm to crossmember attaching bolt and nut to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
8. Tighten lateral arm to spindle attaching bolt and nut to 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
9. Check and reset rear wheel toe to specifications if required.