Rear Suspension

Damper Replacement

Damper:

Removal

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.
2. Remove the rear wheel.
3. Position the floor jack at the connecting point of lower arm B and the knuckle. Raise the floor jack until the suspension begins to compress.





4. Remove the flange bolt (A) from the bottom of the damper.
5. Remove the lid (A) from the cargo area side trim panel.





6. Remove the self-locking nut (A) while holding the damper shaft (B) with a hex wrench (C).





7. Remove the damper mounting washer (D) and the damper mounting cushion (E) from the top of the damper.
8. Compress the damper unit (A) by hand, and remove it from the vehicle. Be careful not to damage the body.





Inspection

1. Install the 10 mm flange nut on the damper shaft end, and set a socket wrench with T-handle on the nut.
2. Compress the damper assembly by hand, and check for smooth operation through a full stroke, both compression and extension. The damper should extend smoothly and constantly when compression is released. If it does not, the gas is leaking and the damper should be replaced.





3. Check for oil leaks, abnormal noises, and binding during these tests.

Installation

1. Install the damper mounting cushion (A) onto the damper unit (B). Compress the damper by hand, and move it into position.

NOTE: Be careful not to damage the body.





2. Position the floor jack under lower arm B to support the suspension.





3. Slowly raise the floor jack until you align the bolt hole with the holes in lower arm B and the damper, then loosely install the new flange bolt (A).
4. Raise the rear suspension with the floor jack until the vehicle just lifts off the safety stands, then tighten the flange bolt to the specified torque value.
5. Install the damper mounting cushion (A), the damper mounting washer (B), and a new self-locking nut (C) on the damper shaft.





6. Tighten the self-locking nut (A) to the specified torque value while holding the damper shaft (B) with a hex wrench (C).





7. Install the lid (A) to the cargo area side trim panel.





8. Clean the mating surface of the brake disc/drum and the inside of the wheel, then install the rear wheel.
9. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary.