Suspension Spring ( Coil / Leaf ): Service and Repair

Rear Coil Spring Removal and Installation

NOTE:

Removing only the right or left coil spring will cause the rear axle to twist or be damaged.

Be sure to remove and install the coil springs on both sides of the vehicle at the same time.

Removal

1) Hoist vehicle and remove rear wheels.
2) Dismount rear differential (4WD model) referring to Rear Differential Dismounting and Remounting.
3) Remove rear fender lining (1) and then loosen rear axle bolt (2) a little.

NOTE:
The rear axle bolt is pre-coated with friction stabilizer. If the bolt is reused, it may work loose.

Never reuse the rear axle bolt.





4) Support both ends of rear axle (1) by using two floor jacks (2).





5) Detach each lower end (2) of shock absorbers (1) (right and left) from rear axle.

NOTE:
The rear shock absorber lower nut is pre-coated with friction stabilizer. If the nut is reused, it may work loose.

Never reuse the rear shock absorber lower nut.

6) Lower rear axle gradually as far down as the coil spring can be removed.

NOTE:
Lowering the rear axle too much may cause damage to the flexible brake hose, wheel speed sensor lead wire and parking brake cable.

Be sure to limit the distance that you lower the rear axle to the minimum distance necessary.

7) Remove coil spring (3).






8) Remove spring upper seat (1) from vehicle body and lower seat (2) from rear axle.






Installation

Rear Axle and Coil Spring Inspection

Spring Upper Seat / Spring Lower Seat Inspection
1) Install spring upper seat (1) to vehicle body and lower seat (2) to rear axle.

NOTE:
Installing the spring upper seat (1) and spring lower seat (2) in the wrong direction may cause the coil spring to produce noise while the vehicle is in motion.

Be sure to install the spring upper seat and the spring lower seat in the specified direction.

2) Install coil spring (3) on spring lower seat (2) of rear axle and place coil spring end (4) onto spring lower seat (2) as shown in figure.











3) Jack up rear axle and then install shock absorbers (1) lower end to rear axle.

Install washers and tighten new rear shock absorber lower nuts (2) temporarily at this step.





4) Remove floor jacks from rear axle.
5) Remount rear differential (4WD model) referring to Rear Differential Dismounting and Remounting.
6) Install wheel and tighten wheel nuts to specified torque referring to Removal and Replacement Wheel (with Tire) Removal and Installation.
7) Lower hoist and bounce vehicle up and down several times to stabilize suspension.
8) Tighten absorber lower nuts and rear axle bolts to specified torque.

NOTE:
When tightening these nuts and bolts, be sure that vehicle is not on hoist and in unloaded condition.

Tightening torque
Rear shock absorber lower nut 90 Nm (9.0 kgf-m, 65.0 lbf-ft)
Rear axle bolt 73 Nm (7.3 kgf-m, 53.0 lbf-ft)

9) Install rear fender lining.