Cross-Member: Service and Repair
Support Replacement (AWD Vehicles)Special Tool
J 37043 Park Brake Cable Release Tool
Removal Procedure
1. Place the park brake lever in the release position.
2. Raise and support the vehicle.
3. Remove the tires and wheels.
4. Remove the exhaust muffler.
5. Remove the rear park brake cable routing bolts from the trailing arms.
6. Disconnect the rear park brake cables from the park brake actuators.
7. Using the J 37043, remove the park brake cables from the mounting brackets
8. Position the rear park brake cables aside.
9. Disconnect the rear wheel speed sensor electrical connectors and routing clips from the rear support and upper control arms.
Position the wiring harness aside.
10. Remove the rear brake hose bracket nut and bolt.
CAUTION:
Support the brake caliper with heavy mechanic wire, or equivalent, whenever it is separated from its mount and the hydraulic flexible brake hose is still connected. Failure to support the caliper in this manner will cause the flexible brake hose to bear the weight of the caliper, which may cause damage to the brake hose and in turn may cause a brake fluid leak.
11. Remove the brake calipers and brackets as assemblies and support them with heavy mechanics wire or equivalent.
12. While holding the stabilizer link with a wrench, remove the stabilizer link-to-lower control arm nut.
13. Remove the trailing arms.
14. Remove the adjustment links.
15. Remove the rear wheel drive shafts.
16. Remove the rear differential.
17. Position a transmission jack under the rear support and firmly secure the support to the jack with straps.
18. Remove the 4 rear support to body bolts.
19. Remove the rear support assembly from the vehicle.
20. With the aid of an assistant, remove the rear support from the transmission jack and place it on the floor.
Installation Procedure
CAUTION:
Refer to [Fastener Notice].
1. If a new rear support is being installed, a transfer of components is necessary.
^ Upper Control Arms
Tightening torque
Tighten the upper control arm to rear support nut and bolt to 160 Nm (118 ft. lbs.).
^ Lower Control Arms
Tightening torque
Tighten the lower control arm to rear support nut and bolt to 110 Nm (81 ft. lbs.).
^ Stabilizer bar and insulators
Tightening torque
^ Tighten the stabilizer shaft insulator clamp bolts to 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.).
^ Tighten the stabilizer link to stabilizer shaft nut to 57 Nm (42 ft. lbs.).
^ Knuckles - Loosely install the upper and lower control arm to knuckle nuts/bolts. These fasteners will be tightened later in this procedure after the wheel driveshafts are installed.
2. With the aid of an assistant, position the rear support onto the transmission jack and firmly secure the support to the jack with straps.
3. Position the rear support assembly to the vehicle.
4. Install the 4 rear support to body bolts.
Tightening torque
Tighten the rear support to body bolts to 170 Nm (125 ft. lbs.).
5. Install the rear differential.
6. Install the rear wheel drive shafts.
7. Install the adjustment links.
8. Install the trailing arms.
9. While holding the stabilizer link, install the stabilizer link-to-lower control arm nut.
Tightening torque
Tighten the stabilizer link to lower control arm nut to 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.).
CAUTION:
Support the brake caliper with heavy mechanic wire, or equivalent, whenever it is separated from its mount and the hydraulic flexible brake hose is still connected. Failure to support the caliper in this manner will cause the flexible brake hose to bear the weight of the caliper, which may cause damage to the brake hose and in turn may cause a brake fluid leak.
10. Remove the supporting wire and position the brake caliper and bracket assemblies back onto the knuckles.
11. Install the rear brake hose bracket nut and bolt.
Tightening torque
Tighten the rear brake hose bolt and nut to 12 Nm (106 in. lbs.).
12. Position the wiring harness back to the original location, connect the routing clips to the rear support and upper control arms. Connect the rear wheel speed sensor electrical connectors.
13. Connect the rear park brake cables through the mounting brackets and onto the park brake actuators.
14. Install the rear park brake cable routing bolts to the trailing arms.
Tightening torque
Tighten the rear park brake cable routing bolt to 12 Nm (106 in. lbs.).
15. Install the exhaust muffler.
16. Install the tires and wheels.
17. Check the rear alignment.