Suspension: Service and Repair
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION FRAME ASSEMBLY^ TOOLS REQUIRED
- J43828 Ball Joint Remover
- SA9140E Torque Angle Gauge
REMOVAL
1. Fasten radiator to upper radiator support.
CAUTION: MAKE SURE VEHICLE IS PROPERLY SUPPORTED AND SQUARELY POSITIONED ON THE HOIST. TO HELP AVOID PERSONAL INJURY WHEN A VEHICLE IS ON A HOIST, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE VEHICLE ON THE OPPOSITE END FROM WHICH COMPONENTS ARE BEING REMOVED.
CAUTION: MAKE SURE VEHICLE IS PROPERLY SUPPORTED AND SQUARELY POSITIONED ON THE HOIST. TO HELP AVOID PERSONAL INJURY WHEN A VEHICLE IS ON A HOIST, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE VEHICLE ON THE OPPOSITE END FROM WHICH COMPONENTS ARE BEING REMOVED.
2. Raise vehicle on hoist.
3. Remove front wheel and tire assemblies.
4. Remove side splash shield-to-frame push pins.
5. Remove front air dam-to-frame push pins.
6. Remove rear transaxle mount-to-frame bolts.
7. Remove front transaxle mount through bolt.
8. Remove steering gear-to-frame bolts.
9. Using mechanics wire, secure steering gear assembly to exhaust pipe.
10. Remove stabilizer bar clamp-to-frame bolts.
11. Remove and discard lower control arm ball stud cotter pin.
12. Loosen ball stud castle nut until top of castle nut is level with top of ball stud.
NOTICE: Do not attempt to separate the joint using a wedge-type tool because the seal may be damaged.
13. Using Ball Joint Remover J43828 (or equivalent) separate the lower control arm from steering knuckle.
14. Remove lower control arm ball stud castle nut.
15. Remove frame-to-body attachment fasteners.
16. Carefully lower frame assembly from vehicle.
DISASSEMBLY
Left Side Shown; Right Side Similar
17. Remove control arm-to-frame front bolt and nut and discard both.
18. Remove front control arm-to-frame rear bolts and nut and discard both.
19. Remove control arm from frame.
20. Repeat Steps 18-20 for Right Control Arm.
ASSEMBLY
IMPORTANT: Use new bolts and nuts; torque retention old bolts may not be sufficient.
1. Install control arms to frame assembly using new bolts and nuts.
Torque:
Lower Control Arm-to-Frame Front Bolt and Nut: 120 N.m (89 ft. lbs.)
Torque:
Lower Control Arm-to-Frame Rear Bolts and Nuts: 70 N.m (52 ft. lbs.)
INSTALLATION
2. Raise frame assembly to body.
IMPORTANT: Do not tighten fastener at this time.
3. Install new frame-to-body bolts.
4. Connect front lower control arm ball stud to knuckle and install ball stud castle nut. Using Torque Angle Gauge SA9140E (or equivalent) Tighten ball stud to knuckle nut.
Torque:
Ball Stud-to-Knuckle Nut: 10 N.m (89 inch lbs.) + 150°
IMPORTANT: Align slots in front lower control arm ball stud nut with cotter pin hole by tightening nut. Do not loosen nut in order to align hole for cotter pin.
IMPORTANT: Ensure that cotter pin ends do not contact ABS wheel speed sensor harness or drive axle.
5. Install front lower control arm ball stud cotter pin.
6. Remove mechanics wire from steering gear and install steering gear-to-frame bolts.
Torque:
Steering Gear-to-Frame Bolts: 110 N.m (81 ft. lbs.)
7. Install front transaxle mount through bolt.
Torque:
Front Transaxle Mount Through Bolt: 110 N.m (81 ft. lbs.)
8. Install rear transaxle mount-to-frame bolts.
Torque:
Rear Transaxle Mount-to-Cradle Bolts: 50 N.m (37 ft. lbs.)
9. Install stabilizer bar clamp bolts.
Torque:
Stabilizer Bar Clamp-to Frame Bolts: 50 N.m (37 ft. lbs.)
10. Tighten frame-to-body bolts.
Torque:
Frame-to-Body Bolts: 155 N.m (114 ft. lbs.)
11. Install front air dam-to-frame push pins.
12. Install side splash shield-to-frame push pins.
NOTICE: Before installing wheels, remove any rust or corrosion from wheel mounting surfaces and brake rotors/drums. Failure to do so can cause wheel nuts to loosen in service.
13. Position wheel onto hub.
14. Install wheel nuts and tighten in a criss-cross pattern. Repeat tightening pattern to be sure torque is correct.
Torque:
Wheel Nuts: 125 N.m (92 ft. lbs.)
15. Lower vehicle from hoist. Remove radiator tie strap.
16. Perform front toe alignment.