Lateral Stabilizer Rod: Service and Repair

NOTE: Use the following procedure for removal and installation of one or both lateral arms on one side of the vehicles rear suspension.

REMOVAL
1. Raise the vehicle.
2. Remove the rear tire and wheel assembly.

Lateral Arm Attachment To Knuckle:

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

Lateral Arm Attachment To Crossmember:

4. Remove nut, bolt, washer and toe adjustment cam, attaching the lateral arms to the rear crossmember. Then remove the lateral arms from vehicle.

INSTALLATION
Both lateral arms when being installed, must be specifically positioned and orientated on the vehicle. The lateral arm that has the same size bushing sleeves must be mounted to the crossmember and knuckle on the forward side of the vehicle. The lateral arm with two different size bushing sleeves must be mounted to the crossmember and knuckle on the rearward side of the vehicle. The lateral arm with two different size bushing sleeves must be installed with the small bushing sleeve at the knuckle and the large bushing sleeve at the rear crossmember. This is required to accommodate the rear toe adjustment cam at the rear crossmember.

The lateral arm mounting bolts are different lengths and need to be installed in specific locations and directions on the vehicle. The long mounting bolt must be used at the rear crossmember and the short mounting bolt must be used at the knuckle. The mounting bolt at the knuckle must be installed with the head of the bolt facing the front of the vehicle. The mounting bolt at the rear crossmember must be installed with head of bolt facing the rear of vehicle.

1. Install the washer on the short lateral arm mounting bolt. Then install the short lateral arm mounting bolt through one end of the lateral arm having the same size bushing sleeves. Then install the bolt through the mounting hole in the knuckle from the front so the head of bolt is facing toward the front of the vehicle.
2. Install the small end of the lateral arm with two different size bushing sleeves onto the end of the mounting bolt just installed through the knuckle. Install a washer and nut onto the end of the mounting bolt, but do not completely tighten the bolt at this time.

Lateral Arm Attachment To Crossmember:

3. Install toe adjustment cam on the long lateral arm mounting bolt. Install the long mounting bolt with the adjustment cam into the rearward mounted lateral arm having the large bushing sleeve. Then pass the mounting bolt through the rear crossmember. The head of this bolt must face the rear of the vehicle when installed.
4. Position the forward lateral arm against the rear crossmember hole. Pass the lateral link mounting bolt through the lateral arm bushing sleeve.
5. Install a washer and nut onto the end of lateral arm mounting bolt at the rear crossmember, but do not completely tighten the bolt at this time.
6. Install tire and wheel assembly on the vehicle. Tighten the wheel mounting 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.).
7. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
8. With suspension at curb height tighten and torque both lateral arm mounting bolts to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
9. Set the rear toe on the vehicle to the required specification as necessary. Refer to Alignment.