Rear Leaf Spring Replacement

Removal Procedure





1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Support the rear axle in order to relieve the tension on the leaf springs.
3. Remove the shock absorber. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement.
4. Remove the following parts:
- The U-bolt nuts
- The washers
- The anchor plate
- The U-bolts
5. Remove the spare tire on pickups and 4 door utility models, if necessary.
6. Disconnect rear exhaust hangers and lower exhaust system, if necessary.
7. Remove the fuel tank on 2 door utility models. Refer to Fuel Tank Replacement (Pickup) or Fuel Tank Replacement (2-Door Utility) or Fuel Tank Replacement (4-Door Utility) in Powertrain Management
8. Remove the EVAP canister on 2 door utility models, if necessary. Refer to Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Canister Replacement (Pickup) or Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Canister Replacement (Utility) in Powertrain Management





9. Remove the following parts:
- The spring shackle to frame bolt
- The washers
- The spring shackle to frame nut
10. Remove the fuel tank on pickups and 4 door utility models. Refer to Fuel Tank Replacement in Engine Controls-2.21- or Fuel Tank Replacement (Pickup) or Fuel Tank Replacement (2-Door Utility) or Fuel Tank Replacement (4-Door Utility) in Engine Controls-4.3L.





11. Remove the following parts:
- The leaf spring to front bracket nut
- The washers
- The leaf spring to front bracket bolt
12. Remove the leaf spring from the vehicle.





13. Remove the following parts:
- The spring shackle to leaf spring nut
- The washers
- The spring shackle to leaf spring bolt
14. Remove the spring shackle.

Installation Procedure





1. Install the spring shackle to the leaf spring.





2. Install the following parts:
- The spring shackle to leaf spring bolt
- The washers
- The spring shackle to leaf spring nut Do not tighten the nut.
3. Install the leaf spring to the vehicle.
4. Install the following parts:
- The leaf spring to front bracket bolt
- The washers
- The leaf spring to front bracket nut Do not tighten the nut.
5. Install the fuel tank on pickups and 4 door utility models. Refer to Fuel Tank Replacement in Engine Controls-2.21- or Fuel Tank Replacement (Pickup) or Fuel Tank Replacement (2-Door Utility) or Fuel Tank Replacement (4-Door Utility) in Engine Controls-4.31L.





6. Install the following parts:
- The spring shackle to frame bolt
- The washers
- The spring shackle to frame nut Do not tighten the nut.
7. Remove the axle support.
8. Install the EVAP canister on 2 door utility models. Refer to Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Canister Replacement (Pickup) or Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Canister Replacement (Utility) in Engine Controls-4.31L.
9. Install the fuel tank on 2 door utility models. Refer to Fuel Tank Replacement (Pickup) or Fuel Tank Replacement (2-Door Utility) or Fuel Tank Replacement (4-Door Utility) in Engine Controls-4.3L.
10. Raise exhaust system and connect rear exhaust hangers, if necessary.
11. Install the spare tire, if necessary.





12. Install the following parts:
- The U-bolts
- The anchor plate
- The washer

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

13. Install the U-bolt nuts.
13.1. Tighten the U-bolt nuts to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.) in the sequence shown.
13.2. Then tighten the U-bolt nuts to 100 Nm (73 ft. lbs.) in the sequence shown.





14. Support the axle so that there is a distance of 164 mm to 176 mm (6.46 inch to 6.94 inch) between the axle tube and the metal surface of the bumper bracket (1).
15. Tighten the leaf spring to front bracket nut.
- Tighten the leaf spring to front bracket nut to 122 Nm (89 ft. lbs.).
16. Install the rear spring shackle to leaf spring nuts.
- Tighten the rear spring shackle to leaf spring nuts to 122 Nm (89 ft. lbs.).
17. Install the shock absorber. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement.
18. Remove axle support.
19. Lower the vehicle.