Suspension: Service and Repair

Front suspension, Servicing





Front axle - Overview
I - Removing and installing subframe, stabilizer bar and control arm
II - Servicing wheel bearings, Refer to Wheel Bearing, Service and Repair
III - Servicing front suspension strut, Refer to Suspension Strut, Service and Repair
IV - Servicing drive axles with Constant Velocity (CV) joint, Refer to Transmission and Drivetrain, Axle Shaft, Assembly, Service and Repair
V - Servicing drive axles with triple-rotor joint, Refer to Transmission and Drivetrain, Axle Shaft, Assembly, Service and Repair





I - Subframe,stabilizer bar and control arm, assembly overview

CAUTION:
^ If a vehicle has to be moved after removing the drive axle, first install outer CV joint and tighten to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.). Otherwise the wheel bearing will be damaged.
^ Do not attempt to weld or straighten load bearing suspension components, or those components that locate the wheels.
^ Always replace self-locking nuts.
^ Always replace corroded nuts/bolts.

1. Subframe retaining bracket
If the nut is damaged, the captive nut cannot be reworked. Replace complete rubber mount bracket.
2. Welded nut in body
If the welded nut threads in the cross member are damaged, the thread can be serviced with Heli-coil thread insert.
3. Bonded rubber bushing for subframe
4. Self-locking nut
^ Always replace
5. Hex. bolt M 14 x 1.5 x 63
^ 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.) plus additional 90° turn
^ Always replace
6. Rear bonded rubber bushing for control arm
7. Hex. bolt M 12 x 1.5 x 70
^ 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.) plus additional 90° turn
^ Always replace
8. Plate with nuts
9. Self-locking nut
^ 45 Nm (33 ft. lbs.)
^ Always replace
10. Ball joint
11. Hex. head bolt
^ 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.) plus additional 90° turn
^ Always replace
12. Control arm
13. Connecting link
14. Hex. bolt
^ 45 Nm (33 ft. lbs.)
15. Self-locking nut
^ 30 Nm (22 ft.)
^ Always replace
16. Stabilizer bar
Subframe must be lowered to remove and install.
17. Socket-head bolt
18. Hex. bolt M 14 x 1.5 x 95
^ 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.) plus additional 90° turn
^ Always replace
19. Front bonded rubber bushing for control arm
20. Hex. bolt M 12 x 1.5 x 82
^ 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.) plus additional 90° turn
^ Always replace
21. Hex. head bolt
^ M10 x 70
^ 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.) plus additional 90° turn
^ Always replace
22. Hex. head bolt
^ M10 x 30
^ 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.) plus additional 90° turn
^ Always replace
23. Transmission support
24. Hex. head bolt
^ M8 x 48
^ 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.) plus additional 90° turn
^ Always replace
25. Rubber mount
26. Mounting bracket
27. Hex. bolt
^ 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.)
28. Subframe
^ Servicing the thread for the control arm front rubber mount threads is not allowed.