Suspension: Service and Repair

Fig. 5 Exploded View Of Rear Suspension:

Fig. 6 Exploded View Of Rear Suspension Assembly:

Refer to Figs. 5 and 6, when performing the following procedures.

Rear Suspension Assembly

When removing brake parts, lower arm, strut, rear axle and trailing link, do not remove crossmember from frame.
1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove rear wheels.
3. Using a line wrench, disconnect brake hose from frame bracket. Cap brake hose to prevent fluid contamination and leakage.
4. Separate and remove rear exhaust pipe from the muffler and pipe hanger.
5. Remove exhaust pipe heat protector rear attaching bolt.
6. Remove equalizer at center of parking brake cable, then the rod from support, and separate the inner cable.
7. Remove parking brake outer cable clamp bolt.
8. On 4WD models, proceed as follows:
a. Remove propeller shaft to rear differential attaching bolts, then separate shaft from differential.
b. Pull inner parking brake cable downward.
c. Using a drift, remove differential gear to double offset joint spring pin. Use caution not to damage CV joint protective boots. Use new spring pin when installing double offset joint.
9. On all models, remove trailing link to body attaching bolts.
10. Remove bolt from inner side of lower arm.
11. Remove coil spring.
12. Support left and right side brake drums. Use caution not to damage backing plates.
13. Reverse procedure to install. Refer to Figs. 5 and 6 for torque values.
14. Ensure hydraulic brake system is properly bled.

Crossmember

1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove rear wheels.
3. Remove strut to axle mount attaching bolts.
4. While pushing lower arm downward, remove the coil spring.
5. Remove lower arm inner bushing bolt.
6. On 4WD models, using a jack raise the rear differential. Pad the jack to prevent damage to differential.
7. On 4WD models, remove rear differential bushing to crossmember attaching bolt.
8. On all models, remove crossmember to body attaching bolts.
9. Separate muffler from hanger, then while pushing downward on muffler, pull the crossmember.
10. Reverse procedure to install. Refer to Figs. 5 and 6 for torque values.