Rear
REMOVAL1. Raise vehicle on a hoist.
2. Remove tire and wheel assembly.
3. Position a jackstand under rear suspension arm and bushing. Lower hoist slightly to put suspension at normal position.
CAUTION: The lower rear suspension arm and bushing must be supported before removal of upper or lower shock absorber attachments to prevent damage to attached components.
4. From inside of vehicle, remove rear compartment access panels.
5. Remove and discard top shock absorber retaining nut using Oxygen Sensor Wrench 303-476 and ratchet while holding the shock absorber shaft with an open-end wrench.
NOTE: If the shock absorber is to be reused, do not grip the shaft with pliers or vise grips as this will damage the shaft surface finish and result in severe oil leakage.
6. Remove washer and rubber insulator from shock absorber.
7. Remove lower shock absorber lower mounting bolt.
NOTE: The shock absorbers are gas-filled. It will require an effort to collapse the shock absorber in order to remove the shock absorber from the lower arm.
INSTALLATION
1. Install a new washer and insulator assembly on upper shock absorber rod.
2. Position upper part of shock absorber into shock tower opening in the body and push slowly on lower part of shock absorber until lower bracket is lined up with mounting hole in the rear wheel spindle.
3. Install new lower mounting bolt and nut. Tighten to 68 - 92 Nm (19 - 25 ft. lbs.).
4. Install a shock absorber bushing repair kit on top of shock absorber. Tighten nut to 25 - 34 Nm (19 - 25 ft. lbs.).
5. Install rear compartment access panel.
6. Install wheel and tire assembly. Tighten lug nuts to 115 - 142 Nm (85 - 104 ft. lbs.).
7. Remove floor jack or jackstand and lower vehicle.