Rear Suspension

Shock Absorber and Spring

Assembly - Front Wheel Drive (FWD)

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 is necessary. Do not use a new 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.

1. Measure the distance from the center of the hub to the lip of the fender with the vehicle in a level, static ground position (curb height).





2. Remove the interior trim to access the upper shock absorber nut.
3. Remove and discard the upper shock absorber-to-mount nut.
4. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
5. Using a suitable jackstand, support the front of the vehicle.

6. CAUTION: When removing the rear brake caliper, never allow it to hang from the brake caliper flexible hose. Provide a suitable support.

Remove the rear brake caliper anchor plate bolts and position the brake caliper assembly aside.
7. Raise the vehicle on the hoist to access the suspension.
8. Position a suitable jackstand under the wheel knuckle at the trailing arm and wheel knuckle attachment point.
9. Raise the wheel knuckle until the toe-link is parallel to the ground.





10. Remove and discard the trailing arm-to-knuckle bolt.
11. Lower the jackstand.
12. Remove and discard the trailing arm-to-subframe bolt.
13. Position the jackstand under the lower shock absorber mount, then raise it enough to compress the shock absorber and spring.
14. Remove the lower arm-to-knuckle bolt.
15. Loosen the shock absorber and spring assembly lower bolt.
16. Lower and remove the jackstand.
17. Remove and discard the shock absorber lower bolt.
18. While holding the shock absorber and spring assembly, swing the lower arm down to access and remove the shock absorber and spring.

Installation
1. Tape the spring to the upper rubber spring seat.
2. Position the spring and upper rubber seat on the shock absorber.
3. Install the shock absorber and spring assembly into alignment with the upper mount.
4. Swing the lower arm into position under the shock absorber and spring assembly.
5. Install a new shock absorber lower nut and bolt. Do not tighten the nut and bolt at this time.
6. Partially lower the vehicle on the hoist.
7. Position a floor jack under the lower arm at the lowest point.
8. Slowly raise the lower arm with the floor jack until the top of the shock absorber makes contact with the inside surface of the upper shock absorber mount.
9. While an assistant guides the shock absorber and spring assembly, continue to raise the lower arm with the floor jack until the shock absorber seats into the upper shock absorber mount.
10. Install a new upper shock absorber-to-mount nut.
^ Tighten to 83 Nm (61 ft. lbs.).
11. Install the interior trim.
12. Remove the floor jack.
13. Raise the vehicle.
14. Position a jackstand under the wheel knuckle at the trailing arm and wheel knuckle attachment point.
15. Raise the jackstand until the center of the wheel hub is at the correct curb height (measured in Step 1 of the Removal procedure).
16. Tighten the lower arm-to-subframe bolt to 125 Nm (92 ft. lbs.).
17. Install the lower arm-to-knuckle bolt.
^ Tighten to 160 Nm (118 ft. lbs.).
18. Position the trailing arm to the wheel knuckle and loosely install the bolt.
19. Position the jackstand under the lower arm.
20. Raise the jackstand until the trailing arm and subframe bushing are aligned.
21. Install a new trailing arm-to-subframe bolt.
^ Tighten to 110 Nm (81 ft. lbs.).
22. Tighten the trailing arm-to-knuckle bolt to 110 Nm (81 ft. lbs.).
23. Tighten the shock absorber lower bolt to 110 Nm (81 ft. lbs.).
24. Partially lower the vehicle.
25. Install the brake caliper anchor plate bolts.
^ Tighten to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.).