Suspension Spring ( Coil / Leaf ): Service and Repair

Fig. 1 Exploded View Of Rear Suspension:

Removal

1. Raise and support vehicle with rear wheels and suspension hanging free.
2. Remove bolts attaching halfshaft to wheel stub shaft, Fig. 1. To prevent damage to constant velocity joints, tie halfshaft to convenient underbody component.
3. Unfasten stabilizer bar from link rod.
4. Disconnect brake line from bracket on body and unclip line from floor assembly. When removing left side spring, the brake line distribution piece must be unscrewed from floor panel.
5. Remove clip attaching rear brake hose to routing bracket on control arm.
6. Using line wrenches, disconnect brake tube from brake hose.
7. Using jack, raise lower control arm enough to relieve coil spring tension from shock absorber.
8. Remove shock absorber-to-control arm bracket attaching nut and bolt.
9. Remove rear axle front crossmember guide plate-to-body attaching bolts and the bushing attaching bolts.
10. Slowly and carefully lower jack until spring and seat can be removed.

Installation

1. Install spring upper seat on spring end with color code and plastic sleeve, ensuring end of coil seats against step in spring seat and that seat tabs are positioned between first and second coil.
2. Position coil spring and seat assembly on control arm. The spring and seat must be installed dry.
3. Raise control arm to compress coil spring enough to allow installation of the shock absorber lower attaching bolt.
4. Install attaching nut on shock absorber bolt, torquing nut to 30-37 ft. lbs., or bolt to 33-40 ft. lbs.
5. Install bushing attaching bolt and torque to 59-73 ft. lbs.
6. Install rear axle front crossmember guide plate-to-body attaching bolts and torque to 31-37 ft. lbs.
7. Secure brake line to floor assembly and body bracket.
8. Position brake hose through routing bracket on control arm and connect it to brake tube.
9. Install brake hose retaining clip.
10. Position halfshaft and install attaching bolts. Torque bolts to 28-31 ft. lbs.
11. Connect stabilizer bar link to control arm.
12. Bleed brake system.