Removal

WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE REAR SPRING FROM THE SHOCK ABSORBER WITHOUT FIRST COMPRESSING THE REAR SPRING WITH A TOOL DESIGNED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

1. Raise hoist or jack only enough to contact body.

CAUTION: Do not raise vehicle by rear suspension tension strut and bushing. Damage to strut may result.





2. Remove package tray trim panel and loosen but do not remove three nuts retaining the upper rear shock absorber bracket to body.
3. Raise vehicle. Remove wheel and tire assembly.
4. Remove bolt retaining brake load sensor proportioning valve to rear suspension arm and bushing.
5. Remove clip attaching rear brake hose to shock strut bracket and carefully move rear brake hose out of the way. Disconnect electronic shock actuator, if equipped.
6. Remove stabilizer bar bracket from body.





7. Remove nut and washer attaching rear stabilizer bar to rear stabilizer bar link and separate rear stabilizer bar from rear stabilizer bar link.
8. Remove nut, washer and rear suspension tie rod bushing retaining rear suspension tension strut and bushing to rear wheel spindle. Move rear wheel spindle rearward enough to separate it from the rear suspension tension strut and bushing.
9. Remove and discard shock-to-spindle pinch bolt. Using a large screwdriver, slightly spread shock-to-spindle pinch joint, if required, for removal.

CAUTION: Care should be taken when removing the shock absorber so the rear wheel brake hose is not stretched or the steel brake tube is not bent. Secure rear wheel spindle/brake assembly to body to prevent stretching of brake lines.

10. Remove nut and washer attaching rear stabilizer bar link to shock absorber and remove rear Stabilizer bar link.
11. From the package tray, remove and discard three upper mount-to-body nuts. Care should be taken so the shock absorber does not drop when removing the three upper nuts.
12. Remove shock absorber from vehicle.