Rear Suspension

REMOVAL

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Maintenance




2. On each side of the vehicle, remove the wheel mounting nuts (3), then the front tire and wheel assembly (1).





3. If equipped with all-wheel-drive, remove the cotter pin (2) from the hub nut (3) on the end of the axle half shaft. While a helper applies the brakes to keep the hub (1) from rotating, remove the hub nut (3) and washer (4) from the axle half shaft.





4. On each side of the vehicle, remove the screw (1) fastening the wheel speed sensor routing clamp (2) to the rear suspension crossmember (3).

5. Remove the exhaust system from the vehicle.




6. Remove the screws securing the four right rear parking brake cable routing clamps to the rear crossmember
.




7. On each side of the vehicle, if equipped with load-leveling shocks, support the lower shock (1) with a jack (2) using just enough force to allow easy removal of the lower shock mounting bolt in the following step. Lower the jack following bolt removal.





8. On each side of the vehicle, remove the lower shock mounting nut (1) and bolt (4).

9. If equipped with all-wheel-drive, remove the rear driveline module, but instead of using a drive-on hoist, place jacks under the outboard ends of the lower control arms and adjust the rear suspension height at the hub and bearings to simulate curb riding height. Once the rear driveline module is removed, remove the jacks.
10. If equipped with all-wheel-drive, slide the half shaft out of the hub and bearing on each side of the vehicle and remove it.




11. On each side of the vehicle, while holding the stabilizer bar link upper stud stationary, remove the nut (2) securing the link (4) to the stabilizer bar (3).
12. On each side of the vehicle, remove the screws (1) securing the stabilizer bar retainer (5) to the crossmember.
13. Remove the stabilizer bar (3) from the vehicle.





14. On each side of the vehicle:
a. Loosen (do not remove) the nut (2) and bolt (7) securing the lower control arm (3) to the knuckle (1).
b. Remove the nut (4) and bolt (6) securing the lower control arm (3) to the rear crossmember (5).
c. Swing the lower control arm down away from the rear crossmember.





15. On each side of the vehicle:
a. Mark the position of the cam bolt (4) cams on the crossmember using a paint marker or crayon. Do not use any type marker that will scratch or damage the surface of the crossmember.
b. While holding the cam bolt (4) head stationary, loosen and remove the toe link mounting cam bolt nut (3) and washer (1). Remove the cam bolt.





16. On each side of the vehicle, loosen (do not remove) the mounting bolt (2) and nut securing the toe link (3) to the knuckle.





17. On each side of the vehicle:
a. Loosen (do not remove) the nut (3) and bolt (4) securing the upper control arm (5) to the knuckle.
b. Remove the nut (2) and bolt (1) securing the upper control arm (5) to the crossmember.

18. On each side of the vehicle, using wire or a bungee cord, support the knuckle to keep it from sagging.

NOTE: Before lowering the rear suspension crossmember, the location of the crossmember must be marked on the body of the vehicle. Do this so the crossmember can be relocated, upon reinstallation, against the body of vehicle in the same location as before removal. If the crossmember is not reinstalled in exactly the same location as before removal, the rear wheel alignment settings may be lost.

19. Using a crayon or marker that will not break the paint surface, mark the location of the rear suspension crossmember on the body near each mounting bolt. Do not use any type of sharp instrument that will damage the underbody of the vehicle.
20. Support the crossmember with a transmission jack. Secure the crossmember to the jack.
21. Remove the two mounting screws securing each crossmember reinforcement bracket (one each side of vehicle) to the body.
22. Remove the mounting nuts securing the crossmember reinforcement brackets to the crossmember rear mounting bolts. Remove the brackets.
23. Remove the four mounting bolts securing the crossmember to the body.
24. Slowly lower the crossmember using the jack.