Procedure

NOTE:
Make sure you first interview the customer and record the conditions present when the squeak/rubbing noise was first noticed (speed, while turning, over large bumps, etc.). Verify the noise so you can confirm that the following procedures were effective by duplicating the conditions with a test drive.

Trailing Arm Bushing Replacement

(1995-98 Eclipse & 1996-98 Eclipse Spyder built before 1/21/98 only)





1. Raise the vehicle on a lift so the suspension is extended and remove the rear wheel/tire assembly.

2. Remove the knuckle and trailing arm rear bolt/nut (A).

3. Remove the body plug to access the trailing arm attachment bolt/nut (B).

4. Remove the attachment bolt/nut and lower the trailing arm to access the bushings.





5. Replace the bushings with the new two-piece bushings using the illustration as a guide, then reattach the trailing arm assembly to the body mount and knuckle. (The smaller diameter bushing is the outside bushing and the larger diameter goes on the inside.) Hand-tighten the nuts then lower the vehicle to the ground before final tightening. Then, torque the trailing arm assembly mounting nut to the standard value (137 - 157 Nm [99 - 114 ft-lbs]). Torque the knuckle and trailing arm assembly connecting nut to the standard value (118 - 137 Nm [85 - 99 ft-lbs]).

NOTE:
There is an arrow embossed on the new inside (larger diameter) bushing. Ignore this arrow. In this application the arrow has no relation to the positioning of the bushing.

CAUTION
The nuts should be temporarily tightened when on the lift, then fully tightened with the weight of the vehicle on the suspension. Unless these tightening procedures are followed closely suspension noises may still be present after bushing replacement.

6. Replace the body plug to cover the access hole.

7. Lower the vehicle, then test drive to make sure the repair was successful.

Rear Strut Insulator Replacement

(1997 & 1998 Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder built before 1/27/98)

** Rear Strut Insulator Bushing and Collar Replacement
(1997 & 1998 Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder and 1999 Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder built before 7/31/98)

1. Using the procedures in the service manual, remove the Rear Shock Absorber assembly.

2. Remove the Upper Bracket Assembly (Rear Shock Insulator) by compressing the coil spring with the special tools required, and removing the self-locking nut.





3. Replace the Upper Bracket Assembly (Rear Shock Insulator) with improved parts. Parts have been improved by adding an embossed (raised) portion to the Upper Bracket Assembly at 90° angles to the mounting studs.

**NOTE:
Vehicles built from 1/27/98 through 7/31/98 should already have the new improved insulator (upper bracket). If so, do not replace it. Proceed with step 4.

**4. replace the upper shock insulator bushings with the improved parts. The new bushings are silicone impregnated to reduce noise.

**5. Replace the collar with the improved collar. The inside diameter of the collar is smaller to eliminate any loose ness which may cause noise.

6. Reassemble the Rear Strut Assembly by compressing the coil spring with the special tools required, then installing it onto the shock absorber.

7. Align the edge of the coil spring to the stepped part of the shock absorber spring seat.

8. Install the Upper Bracket Assembly, (insulator, bushings, collar) ensuring proper positioning of the shock absorber.

9. Temporarily tighten the self-locking nut.

10. Remove the special tools and tighten the self locking nut to the specified torque (22 Nm or 16 ft-lbs).

CAUTION
Do not use an impact wrench to tighten the self-locking nut.

11. Lower the vehicle, then test drive to make sure the repair was successful.