Rear Suspension
Spring
NOTE: All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle shown, Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicle similar.
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles
Removal and Installation
All vehicles
NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital parts and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be installed if installation becomes necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.
NOTICE: Suspension bushing fasteners must be tightened with the weight of the vehicle resting on the wheel and tires or incorrect clamp load and bushing damage may occur.
1. Remove the wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to Wheels and Tires.
2. NOTICE: Do not allow the brake caliper and anchor plate assembly to hang from the brake hose or damage to the hose can occur.
Remove the 2 anchor plate bolts and position the brake caliper and anchor plate assembly aside.
- Support the brake caliper and anchor plate assembly using mechanic's wire.
3. Remove the brake disc.
4. Remove the nut and disconnect the stabilizer bar link and parking brake cable bracket from the wheel knuckle.
- Discard the nut.
5. Remove the bolt and position the wheel speed sensor aside.
- If equipped, unclip the 2 retainers from the upper arm.
6. Remove the brake hose bracket bolt and position the hose aside.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles
NOTE: Do not discard the wheel hub nuts at this time.
7. Remove the outer and inner wheel hub nuts.
8. Using the Front Hub Remover, separate the halfshaft from the hub and bearing.
All vehicles
9. Position a suitable jackstand under the lower arm.
10. Remove and discard the shock absorber lower nut and flag bolt.
11. Remove and discard the upper arm outboard bolt and nut.
12. Remove and discard the toe link outboard bolt and nut.
13. Remove and discard the lower arm outboard bolt and nut.
AWD vehicles
14. Position the halfshaft through the wheel knuckle opening and secure the halfshaft aside.
All vehicles
15. WARNING: The coil spring is under extreme load. Care must be taken at all times when removing or installing a loaded spring. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
Pull outward on the wheel knuckle while lowering the jackstand and remove the spring.
- Inspect the spring upper and lower seats, remove and discard seats as necessary.
Installation
All vehicles
1. If removed, position a new lower seat into the lower arm with the recess in the seat aligned with the projection on the lower arm.
2. Position the spring onto the lower arm with the end of the spring 0-10 mm (0-0.39 in) from the step on the spring seat.
3. WARNING: The coil spring is under extreme load. Care must be taken at all times when removing or installing a loaded spring. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
Pull outward on the wheel knuckle and install the spring.
AWD vehicles
4. Position the halfshaft into the wheel bearing and wheel hub.
All vehicles
5. Raise the jackstand and loosely install the new lower arm outboard bolt and nut.
6. Position the toe link and loosely install the new toe link outboard bolt and nut.
7. Position the upper arm and loosely install the new upper arm outboard bolt and nut.
8. Loosely install the new lower shock nut and flag bolt.
9. Lower and remove the jackstand.
AWD vehicles
10. NOTICE: Do not tighten the rear wheel hub nut with the vehicle on the ground. The nut must be tightened to specification before the vehicle is lowered onto the wheels. Wheel bearing damage will occur if the bearing is loaded with the weight of the vehicle applied.
NOTE: Apply the brake to keep the halfshaft from rotating.
Position the halfshaft in the hub and use the previously removed wheel hub nut to seat the halfshaft.
- Tighten to 275 Nm (203 lb-ft).
- Remove and discard the wheel hub nut.
11. NOTICE: The wheel hub nut contains a one-time locking chemical that is activated by the heat created when it is tightened. Install and tighten the new wheel hub nut to specification within 5 minutes of starting it on the threads. Always install a new wheel hub nut after loosening or when not tightening within the specified time or damage to the components may occur.
NOTE: Apply the brake to keep the halfshaft from rotating.
Install a new inner wheel hub nut.
- Tighten to 275 Nm (203 lb-ft).
12. Install a new outer wheel hub nut.
- Tighten to 175 Nm (129 lb-ft).
All vehicles
13. Install the brake hose bracket bolt.
- Tighten to 7 Nm (62 lb-in).
14. Position the wheel speed sensor and install the bolt.
- Tighten to 7 Nm (62 lb-in).
- If equipped, clip the 2 retainers to the upper arm.
15. Connect the parking brake cable bracket and stabilizer bar link to the wheel knuckle and install the nut.
- Tighten the nut to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
16. Install the brake disc.
17. Position the brake caliper and anchor plate assembly and install the 2 anchor plate bolts.
- Tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
18. Install the wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to Wheels and Tires.
19. With the weight of the vehicle on the wheel and tire, tighten the lower shock nut to 80 Nm (59 lb-ft).
20. With the weight of the vehicle on the wheel and tire, tighten the upper arm outboard bolt to 175 Nm (129 lb-ft).
21. With the weight of the vehicle on the wheel and tire, tighten the toe link outboard bolt to 175 Nm (129 lb-ft).
22. With the weight of the vehicle on the wheel and tire, tighten the lower arm outboard bolt in the following stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 80 Nm (59 lb-ft).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 90 degrees.
23. Check and if necessary, align the vehicle. For additional information, refer to Suspension &/or Alignment.