Trailing Arm: Service and Repair

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

Tension Strut Attachment:

3. Hold the tension strut from turning by using a wrench on the flat of the tension strut and remove tension strut nut at the knuckle. Then remove the tension strut retainer and rear tension strut bushing half from the tension strut at the rear knuckle.
4. Remove both bolts holding the tension strut bracket to the frame rail. Remove the tension strut with mounting bracket from the vehicle.
5. Hold the tension strut from turning by using a wrench on the flat of the tension strut and remove the tension strut nut at the mounting bracket. Remove the tension strut retainer, bushing half, and mounting bracket from the tension strut. Remove the remaining bushing halves and retainers.

INSTALLATION
1. Install one retainer on each end of the tension strut. The cupped side of each retainer should point inward.
2. Install one bushing half on each end of the tension strut. The stepped side of each bushing half should point outward.
3. Install the mounting bracket, with its mounting holes away from the tension strut, on the forward end of the tension strut.
4. Install another bushing half on the forward end of the tension strut. Make sure the stepped side of the bushing points inward.
5. Install a retainer on the forward end of the tension strut. the cupped side of the retainer should point outward.
6. Hold the tension strut from turning by using a wrench on the flat of the tension strut and install the tension strut nut at the mounting bracket. Make sure the tension strut and bushings are centered in the mounting bracket. Tighten the tension strut nut to torque of 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).

Tension Strut Bushing Installed At Knuckle:

7. Insert the other end of the tension strut into the lower hole in the knuckle. Install the remaining tension strut bushing half onto the trailing end of the tension strut. Be sure the stepped area of the bushing is squarely seated into the hole in the knuckle. Install the tension strut retainer and nut on the trailing end of the tension strut. Make sure the cupped side of the retainer points outward away from the knuckle.
8. Raise the forward end of the tension strut to the frame rail and install the 2 mounting bracket bolts. Tighten the tension strut mounting bracket bolts to a torque of 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).

Torquing Tension Strut Nut:

9. Position a wrench on the flat of the tension strut to keep it from turning, and then torque the rear tension strut nut to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
10. Install the 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.).
11. Lower the vehicle.
12. With the vehicle at curb height, torque the lateral arm attaching bolt to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
13. Set the rear toe on the vehicle to the required specification as necessary. Refer to Alignment.