FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Rear Suspension Coil Spring(s) - Removal






REMOVAL





1. Raise and support vehicle. Maintenance
2. On both sides of vehicle, remove wheel mounting nuts (3), then rear tire and wheel assembly (1).






WARNING: Before opening fuel system, review all Warnings and Cautions.

3. If servicing left side shock absorber, remove fuel filler tube. Removal
4. Position an extra pair of jack stands under and support forward end of engine cradle to help stabilize vehicle during rear suspension removal/installation.
5. Perform following if vehicle is equipped with dual-exhaust or are servicing right side on vehicle with single exhaust.
a. Position under-hoist utility jack or stand several inches below exhaust at muffler.
b. Disconnect exhaust isolators at muffler and resonators hangers.
c. Lower exhaust down to rest upon top of jack or stand placed below muffler.





6. Position under-hoist utility jack or transmission jack (3) under center of rear axle differential (1). Raise jack head to contact differential and secure in place. When securing crossmember to jack, be sure not to secure stabilizer bar.





7. Remove shock absorber (1) upper mounting screws (2).





8. Remove shock absorber (1) lower mounting bolt (2) and nut (4).






CAUTION: When removing crossmember mounting bolts (2 and 3) it is important NOT to loosen or remove crossmember mounting bolts on opposite side of vehicle. Doing so will require rear wheel alignment following reinstallation to ensure proper thrust angle.

9. Remove both front and rear crossmember mounting bolts (2 and 3) on repair-side of vehicle.

CAUTION: To avoid damaging other components of vehicle, do not lower crossmember (1) any further than necessary to remove shock absorber.

10. Slowly lower jack allowing repair-side of crossmember to drop. Do not lower jack at a fast rate. Lower jack just enough to allow top of shock absorber to clear body flange.






NOTE: Standard suspension shown, Active Damping System (ADS) similar.

NOTE: If equipped with ADS, disconnect the ADS connector before removing the shock assembly from the vehicle.

11. Remove shock absorber (3) by tipping top outward and lifting lower end out of pocket in spring link (4).
12. Disconnect brake hose at bracket mounted to body to allow to avoid overextending hose, damaging it, during following step.
13. Slowly lower jack until crossmember is low enough to remove coil spring. Do not lower jack any further than necessary to remove spring.
14. Remove coil spring and isolators (1, 2 and 5).