Front Suspension

REMOVAL PROCEDURE
1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle.
2. Remove the tire and wheel, assembly. Refer to WHEEL REMOVAL in TIRES AND WHEELS.
3. Move the steering shaft dust seal in order to gain access to the pinch bolt.

CAUTION: Failure to disconnect intermediate shaft from rack and pinion stub shaft can result in damage to steering gear and/or intermediate shaft. This damage can cause loss of steering control which could result in personal injury.

4. Remove the pinch bolt from the lower intermediate steering shaft. Refer to INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT in STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN ON-VEHICLE SERVICE.
5. Loosen all insulator clamp attaching nuts and bolts.
6. Place a jackstand under the center of the rear frame crossmember.
7. Turn the screws four revolutions to loosen the two frame-to-body bolts.
8. Remove the two rear frame-to-body bolts.
9. Lower the rear of the frame just enough to gain access to the stabilizer shaft.
10. Remove the clamps from the frame.
11. Remove the insulators from the frame.
12. Remove the stabilizer bar links from the control arms.
13. Pull the stabilizer shaft rearward.
14. Swing the stabilizer shaft down to remove the stabilizer shaft from the left side of the vehicle.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
1. Insert the stabilizer shaft from the left side of the vehicle.

Important: DO NOT tighten the stabilizer link nut at this time. The weight of the vehicle must be supported by the control arms such that you can obtain the vehicle design trim heights before tightening the link nut.

2. Loosely install the stabilizer shaft link at the control arm.

NOTICE: Always use the correct fastener in the proper location. When you replace a fastener, use ONLY the exact part number for that application. The manufacturer will call out those fasteners that require a replacement after removal. The manufacturer will also call out the fasteners that require thread lockers or thread sealant. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, do not use supplemental coatings (paints, greases, or other corrosion inhibitors) on threaded fasteners or fastener joint interfaces. Generally, such coatings adversely affect the fastener torque and joint clamping force, and may damage the fastener. When you install fasteners, use the correct tightening sequence and specifications. Following these instructions can help you avoid damage to parts and systems.

3. Connect the insulator clamps to the frame.

Tighten
Tighten the stabilizer shaft bracket bolts/screws to 48 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).

4. Raise the frame into position while you guide the steering shaft onto the gear.
5. Install the new frame-to-body attaching bolts. Refer to FRAME in FRAME AND UNDERBODY.
6. Remove the jackstand.

Important: Ensure the shaft is seated prior to the pinch bolt installation when installing the intermediate shaft. The two mating shafts may disengage if the pinch bolt inserts into the coupling before the shaft installation.

7. Install the pinch bolt and tighten. Refer to INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT in STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN ON-VEHICLE SERVICE.
8. Install the dust seal into the steering gear.
9. Support the weight of the vehicle by the control arms.
10. Tighten the stabilizer link nut.

Tighten
Tighten the stabilizer shaft link nut to 23 Nm (17 ft. lbs.).

11. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to WHEEL INSTALLATION in TIRES AND WHEELS.
12. Lower the vehicle.