Lateral Stabilizer Rod: Service and Repair

GENERAL INFORMATION





The rear suspension lateral links are only serviced as complete assemblies. The isolator bushings used in the lateral links are not serviced as separate components. The rear lateral link assemblies are unique, having different size bushings to accommodate the rear Toe adjustment cams. The rearward lateral links, must be installed with small bushing sleeve at knuckle and large bushing sleeve at rear crossmember. This is required to accommodate the rear Toe adjustment cam.

REMOVE
1. Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a frame contact type hoist.
2. Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly from the side of the vehicle requiring lateral link removal.





3. Remove the nut, bolt and washers attaching the lateral links to the knuckle.





4. Remove nut, bolt, washer and Toe adjustment cam, attaching lateral links requiring removal, from rear crossmember. Then remove lateral links from vehicle.

INSTALL
Rear lateral links when being installed, must be specifically positioned and orientated on the vehicle. The lateral link having same size bushing sleeves, must be mounted to the crossmember and knuckle toward front of vehicle. The lateral link with different size bushing sleeves, must be mounted to the crossmember and knuckle toward rear of vehicle. The lateral link with small and large bushing sleeves, must be installed with small bushing sleeve at knuckle and large bushing sleeve at rear crossmember. This is required to accommodate the rear Toe adjustment cam at rear crossmember.

The lateral link mounting bolts are different lengths, and need to be installed in specific locations and direction on vehicle. The lateral link mounting bolt at knuckle MUST be installed, with head of bolt facing front of vehicle. The lateral link mounting bolt at crossmember MUST be installed, with head of bolt facing rear of vehicle. The long attaching bolt must be used at rear crossmember and short bolt used at knuckle.
1. Install washer on short lateral link attaching bolt. Then install short lateral link attaching bolt, into lateral link having the same size bushing sleeves. Then install lateral link, bolt and washer onto knuckle as an assembly, with head of bolt facing to front of vehicle.
2. Install lateral link with small and large bushing sleeve, on lateral link attaching bolt in rear knuckle. Small bushing sleeve must be installed on bolt in rear knuckle with large bushing sleeve at crossmember of vehicle.
3. Install washer and nut onto lateral link attaching bolt at rear knuckle. Do not tighten the lateral link to rear knuckle attaching bolt at this time.





4. Install Toe adjustment cam on long lateral link attaching bolt. Install long lateral link attaching bolt and adjustment cam, into lateral link toward rear of vehicle, having the large bushing sleeve. Then pass lateral link attaching bolt into rear crossmember. Head of long lateral link to crossmember attaching bolt must face to rear of vehicle when installed.
5. Position forward rear lateral link against rear crossmember. Then pass the lateral link attaching bolt through front lateral link bushing sleeve.
6. Install washer and nut onto lateral link attaching bolt at rear crossmember. Do not tighten the lateral link to rear crossmember attaching bolt at this time.
7. 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 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
8. Lower vehicle to the ground.
9. With suspension supporting total weight of vehicle, and lateral links at correct curb height, torque both lateral link attaching bolts to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
10. Check and reset rear wheel TOE to specifications if required. Refer to Front And Rear Toe Setting Procedure in Wheel Alignment.