Rear Subframe: Service and Repair

Frame Replacement - Rear

Tools Required

J 39580 Engine Support Stand

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting ().
2. Remove the rear wheels.
3. Remove the exhaust system.
4. Remove the propeller shaft from the differential.






Important: The lower control arms will drop approximately 1.5 inches when the shock to lower control arm bolts are removed.

5. Install the support fixture (3), in order to raise the lower control arm to relieve the tension from the shock.
6. Remove the shocks lower mounting bolt (2).
7. Remove the support fixture.




8. Disconnect the electrical connectors for the rear wheel speed sensors.
9. Disconnect the ABS wiring harness from the upper control arms.
10. Disconnect the rear suspension position sensor wiring harness from the frame.
11. Disconnect the rear suspension position sensor harness connector.
12. Disconnect the head lamp leveling wiring harness from the frame.
13. Disconnect the head lamp leveling sensor harness connector.




14. Disconnect the rear brake pipe lines (1) forward of the rear wheelhouse.




15. Remove the fastener for the brake pipe bracket (1).
16. Remove the brake pipe bracket (2) from the studs in the body.




17. Disconnect the intermediate park brake cable (2) from the front park brake cable connector.




18. Disconnect the intermediate park brake cable (2) from the rear park brake cable connector (1).
19. Position the frame support table J 39580 under the vehicle.
20. Using the J 39580, lower the vehicle to the frame support table.




21. Remove the frame to body mounting bolts and washers.




22. Carefully raise the vehicle from the rear frame assembly.
23. Secure the frame to the support table.
24. Remove the following components from the rear frame.

* Rear Position Sensor Replacement - Electronic Suspension () in Electronic Suspension Controls (ESC)
* Lower Control Arm Replacement ()
* Upper Control Arm Replacement ()
* The rear brake pipes
* Park Brake Cable Replacement - Left Rear () or Park Brake Cable Replacement - Right Rear () in Park Brake
* Stabilizer Shaft Replacement ()
* Adjustment Link Replacement ()
* Trailing Arm Replacement ()
* Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement ()
* Brake Caliper Replacement - Rear () in Disc Brakes
* Brake Rotor Replacement - Rear () in Disc Brakes
* Differential Replacement () in Drive Axle

25. With the aid from an assistant, remove the frame from the engine support fixture.

Installation Procedure




1. With the aid from an assistant, position and secure the new rear frame (2) on the engine support fixture.
2. Install the following components to the rear frame assembly.

* Differential Replacement () in Drive Axle
* Brake Rotor Replacement - Rear () in Disc Brakes
* Brake Caliper Replacement - Rear () in Disc Brakes
* Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement ()
* Trailing Arm Replacement ()
* Adjustment Link Replacement ()
* Stabilizer Shaft Replacement ()
* Park Brake Cable Replacement - Left Rear () or Park Brake Cable Replacement - Right Rear () in Park Brake
* The rear brake pipes
* Upper Control Arm Replacement ()
* Lower Control Arm Replacement ()
* Rear Position Sensor Replacement - Electronic Suspension () in Electronic Suspension Controls (ESC)

Important: The rear coil springs need to be indexed into the lower spring insulators prior to assembly.

3. Index the rear coil springs to the spring insulators.

Important: Ensure the intermediate brake cable is clear of the front frame to body mount prior to securing the frame bolts.

4. Ensure the intermediate park brake cable is positioned over left side frame assembly on the left side.
5. Lower the vehicle to the frame.




6. Position the coil springs (3) to the upper spring insulator (2).
7. Index the rear side frame mounts to the rear locator sleeves (1) located on the body.
8. Lower the vehicle until the frame mounts contact the body rail.






Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice () in Service Precautions.

9. Install the rear frame washers and anchor bolts.

* Tighten the front bolts to 265 N.m (195 lb ft).
* Tighten the rear bolts to 191 N.m (141 lb ft).

10. Raise the vehicle.
11. Remove the J 39580 from under the vehicle.




12. Install the support fixture (3) in order to raise the lower control arms for ease of lower shock bolt installation (2).
13. Install the lower shock bolt (2).

Tighten the bolt to 150 N.m (111 lb ft).

14. Repeat step 13 for the other side.
15. Remove the support fixture (3).




16. Connect the intermediate park brake cable (2) to the rear park brake cable connector (1).




17. Connect the intermediate park brake cable (2) to the front park brake cable connector.




18. Position the brake pipe bracket (2) to the body studs.
19. Install the brake pipe bracket retaining nuts (1).

Tighten the nuts to 10 N.m (89 lb in).




20. Connect the rear brake lines (1) at the forward rear wheelhouse.

Tighten the lines to 27 N.m (20 lb ft).

21. Connect the head lamp leveling sensor harness connector.
22. Connect the head lamp leveling wiring harness to the frame.
23. Connect the rear suspension position sensor harness connector.
24. Connect the rear suspension position sensor harness to the frame.
25. Connect the ABS wiring harness to the upper control arms.




26. Connect the rear wheel speed sensor harness connectors.
27. Secure the electrical harness retainer clips to the park brake cables.
28. Install the propeller shaft to the differential.
29. Install the exhaust system.
30. Install the rear wheels.
31. Lower the vehicle.
32. Bleed the hydraulic brake system.
33. Align the vehicle.