Rear Knuckle Alignment Link: Service and Repair

Adjustment Link Replacement

Tools Required
^ J6627-A Tie Rod Puller

Removal Procedure
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Measure and record the distance between the 2 lock nuts on the center adjuster.
3. Use paint in order to mark the position of the 2 lock nuts on the center adjuster.
4. Loosen the nut that retains the outer adjustment link to the control arm.
5. Position the top of the nut with the top of the outer adjustment link stud.
6. Use the J6627-A , or equivalent, in order to separate the stud from the control arm.





7. Remove and discard the nut.
8. Remove the nut and the bolt that retain the inner adjustment link to the rear suspension support.
9. Discard the nut.
10. Remove the inner adjustment link from the rear suspension support.

Disassemble Procedure





1. Use a vise with soft jaws in order to hold the center adjuster (3).

2. Important: The following components have left-hand threads:
^ The inner adjustment link (5)
^ The inner lock nut (2)
^ The corresponding end of the center adjuster

Loosen the inner lock nut.

3. Important: Count the turns necessary for removal of the inner adjustment link.

Remove the inner adjustment link from the center adjuster.
4. Loosen the outer lock nut (4).

5. Important: Count the turns necessary for removal of the outer adjustment link (9).

Remove the outer adjustment link from the center adjuster.

Assemble Procedure





1. Important: Do not tighten the nuts yet. The weight of the vehicle must be on the tire and wheel assemblies before tightening the suspension fasteners.

Thread the outer adjustment link (9) to the center adjuster (3) the same number of turns as for the removal.
2. Align the match marks on the outer adjuster lock nut (4) and on the center adjuster.
3. Thread the inner adjustment link (5) to the center adjuster the same number of turns as for the removal.
4. Align the match marks on the inner adjuster lock nut (2) and on the center adjuster.
5. Ensure the distance between the lock nuts is the same as during the removal.
6. Remove the adjustment link from the vise.

Installation Procedure





1. Important: The protruding side of the bushing must be toward the front of the vehicle.

Install the inner adjustment link to the rear suspension support.

2. Important: Do not tighten the nuts or the bolts. The weight of the vehicle must be on the tire and wheel assemblies before tightening the nuts and the bolts.

Install the NEW nut and the bolt in order to retain the inner adjustment link to the rear suspension support.
3. Clean the stud on the outer adjustment link.
4. Clean the hole in the control arm for the outer adjustment link stud.





5. Install the outer adjustment link and a NEW nut to the control arm.
6. Lower the vehicle.
7. With the weight of the vehicle on the tire and wheel assemblies, bounce the rear of the vehicle several times in order to stabilize the rear suspension.
8. Measure the wheel alignment.
9. Use a wrench on the hexagonal crimped section of the outer adjustment link in order to hold the position of the ball joint.
10. Adjust the rear toe to the specification and tighten the 2 lock nuts. Refer to Rear Toe Adjustment in Wheel Alignment.

11. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Tighten the nut and the bolt that retain the inner adjustment link to the rear suspension support.
Tighten the nut and the bolt to 63 Nm (46 ft. lbs.).
12. Tighten the nut that retains the outer adjustment link to the control arm.
Tighten the nut to 63 Nm (46 ft. lbs.).