Rear Subframe: Service and Repair

Frame Replacement - Rear

Tools Required

J 39580 Engine Support Stand


Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer toLifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the rear wheels. Refer toTire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
3. Remove the exhaust system. Refer toExhaust System Replacement (LA3, LY9) in Engine Exhaust.
4. Remove the driveshaft from the differential. Refer toPropeller Shaft Replacement (Automatic Transmission) Propeller Shaft Replacement (Manual Transmission) in Propeller Shaft.





Important: The lower control arms will drop approximately 3 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 retainer clips on the park brake cables for the wheel speed sensors wiring harness.




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




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




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




14. Disconnect the intermediate park brake cable (2) from the rear park brake cable connector (1).
15. Position the frame support tableJ 39580 under the vehicle.
16. UsingJ 39580 , lower the vehicle to the frame support table.




17. Remove the frame to body mounting bolts (4) and washers (3).




18. Carefully raise the vehicle from the rear frame assembly.
19. Remove the following components from the rear frame.

* Headlamp Leveling Sensor Replacement - Rear in Lighting Systems.
* Lower Control Arm Replacement
* Upper Control Arm Replacement
* The rear brake pipes
* Park Brake Cable Replacement - Left Rear orPark 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.

20. With the aid from an assistant, remove the frame from the hydraulic jack.



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 orPark Brake Cable Replacement - Right Rear in Park Brake.
* The rear brake pipes
* Upper Control Arm Replacement
* Lower Control Arm Replacement
* Headlamp Leveling Sensor Replacement - Rear in Lighting Systems.


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 toFastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

9. Install the rear frame washers (3) and anchor bolts (4).

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


10. Raise the vehicle.
11. Remove theJ 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.

Tighten the bolt (2) to 150 Nm (111 lb ft).

14. Repeat the above step 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 Nm (89 lb in).





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

Tighten the lines to 15 Nm (11 lb ft).





21. Connect the rear wheel speed sensor electrical connectors.
22. Secure the electrical harness retainer clips to the park brake cables.
23. Install the rear wheels. Refer toTire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
24. Lower the vehicle.
25. Bleed the hydraulic brake system. Refer toHydraulic Brake System Bleeding (Manual) Hydraulic Brake System Bleeding (Pressure) in Hydraulic Brakes.
26. Align the vehicle. Refer toMeasuring Wheel Alignment in Wheel Alignment.