Trailing Arm: Service and Repair
Trailing ArmFront Wheel Drive (FWD) Vehicles:
All Wheel Drive (AWD) Vehicles:
Removal and Installation
CAUTION: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital parts and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. new part with the same part number must be installed if installation becomes necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.
CAUTION: Before tightening any suspension bushing fasteners, the suspension must be at the bushing fastener tightening position.
All wheel drive (AWD) vehicles
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
All vehicles
2. Remove the parking brake cable bracket bolt and position the parking brake cable aside.
- To install, tighten to 10 Nm (89 inch lbs.).
Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles
3. Remove the wheel spindle.
4. If equipped, detach the wheel speed sensor harness from the trailing arm.
5. Using a suitable jack, support the trailing arm.
6. WARNING: The spring is under extreme compression, care must be taken at all times. Failure to follow this instruction may result in personal injury.
Remove and discard the lower arm outboard bolt.
- To install, tighten to 103 Nm (76 ft. lbs.) with the suspension at the bushing fastener tightening position.
7. Remove and discard the upper arm outboard bolt.
- To install, tighten to 110 Nm (81 ft. lbs.) with the suspension at the bushing fastener tightening position.
8. Carefully lower the trailing arm and remove the jack.
9. Remove and discard the shock absorber lower bolt and flag nut.
- To install, tighten to 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.) with the suspension at the bushing fastener tightening position.
10. Remove and discard the toe link outboard bolt.
- To install, tighten to 110 Nm (81 ft. lbs.) with the suspension at the bushing fastener tightening position.
AWD vehicles
11. Remove the wheel speed sensor harness bracket nut and position aside the bracket.
- To install, tighten to 23 Nm (17 ft. lbs.).
12. Remove the toe link.
13. Remove the 4 trailing arm-to knuckle nuts and the trailing arm toe link bracket.
- Discard the nuts.
- To install, tighten to 115 Nm (85 ft. lbs.).
All vehicles
14. Remove the 2 trailing arm-to-frame bolts, cone washers and the trailing arm.
- Discard the nuts.
- To install, tighten the bolts to 133 Nm (98 ft. lbs.).
15. CAUTION: Before tightening any suspension bushing fasteners, the suspension must be at the bushing fastener tightening position. Use a suitable jack to raise the suspension until the distance between the center of the hub and the lip of the fender is equal to 395 mm (15.55 inch).
To install, reverse the removal procedure.
16. Check and, if necessary, align the rear end.