Rear Suspension

Removal

CAUTION: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number or an equivalent part must be installed if installation becomes necessary. Do not use a new part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

1. Remove the parcel tray.





2. Loosen the nuts.
3. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.

4. Note: It is not necessary to remove the stabilizer bar links from the stabilizer bar.

Remove the stabilizer bar, if so equipped. Remove the jack stands after the stabilizer bar is removed.





5. Remove the bolt and detach the rear wheel brake hose.





6. Remove the nut, washer and bushing. Detach the trackbar arm from the spindle.
- Discard the nut.





7. CAUTION: Care should be taken when removing the strut and spring assembly so the rear wheel brake hose is not stretched.

Remove and discard the pinch bolt. Detach the spindle from the strut and spring assembly.
- To aid in removal, use a large screwdriver to spread the pinch joint.
8. Partially lower the vehicle.





9. Remove the nuts and the strut and spring assembly.
- Discard the nuts.

WARNING: The strut and spring assembly is under spring tension. Attempting to disassemble the strut and spring assembly without compressing the spring can result in personal injury.





10. Mark the location of the strut to top mount for assembly reference.





11. Using a suitable spring compressor, compress the rear spring and unload the strut mounting bracket.





12. CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove or install the strut rod nut by turning the shock absorber rod and holding the nut. The nut must be turned and the rod held stationary to avoid the possible fracture of the shock absorber rod at the base of the hex.

CAUTION: Do not use pliers on the strut rod as the finished rod surface can be damaged.

Using a 10 mm six point deep well socket, hold the strut rod in place while removing the nut. Using the special tool, remove and discard the nut.





13. Note: The washers on either side of the strut mounting bracket are unique and cannot be interchanged. Note the position of each washer during removal for installation reference.

Remove the cupped washer and the strut mounting bracket (18192).
- Loosen the spring compressor to completely unload the spring.





14. Remove the dished washer and the rear spring.

Installation





1. Inspect the rear spring to make sure the rear spring damper (5A669) and the rear spring insulator retainer (5AS45) are correctly positioned.
1. Rear spring damper.
2. Rear spring insulator retainer.





2. Note: Make sure the rear spring is installed with the rear spring insulator retainer on the bottom to prevent the rear spring damper from sliding down the rear spring.

Note: Make sure the dished side of the washer is facing away from the strut mounting bracket.

Install the rear spring and the dished washer.
- Compress the spring using an appropriate spring compressor.





3. Note: Make sure the cupped side of the washer is facing away from the strut mounting bracket.

Make sure the rear spring is correctly positioned in the strut mounting bracket and rear spring seat lower mounting insulator (5K617).
1. The end of the spring must be located within 10 mm (0.4 inch) of the step in the strut spring seat.
2. Step in the spring seat pocket.
3. Strut assembly.





4. CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove or install the strut rod nut by turning the shock absorber rod and holding the nut. The nut must be turned and the rod held stationary to avoid the possible fracture of the shock absorber rod at the base of the hex.

CAUTION: Do not use pliers on the strut rod as the finished rod surface can be damaged.

CAUTION: Make sure the spring is compressed enough so the strut mounting bracket is unloaded while installing the nut.

Using a 10 mm six point deep well socket, hold the shock absorber rod in place while installing the nut. Using the special tool, install a new nut.





5. Remove the spring compressor.





6. Position the strut and spring assembly and install new nuts.
- Do not tighten the nuts at this time.
7. Partially raise the vehicle.





8. Position the spindle on the strut and install a new pinch bolt.





9. Note: Make sure the supped side of the washer is facing away from the bushing.

Position the tracker arm in the spindle and install the bushing, the washer and a new nut.





10. Position the rear wheel brake hose and install the bolt.
11. Install the stabilizer bar, if so equipped.
12. Install the wheel and tire assembly.





13. Tighten the nuts.

14. Install the parcel tray.