Rear

Spring

Spring:

Removal

WARNING: Do not apply heat or flame to the shock absorber or strut tube. The shock absorber and strut tube are gas pressurized and could explode if heated. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

WARNING: Keep all body parts clear of shock absorbers or strut rods. Shock absorbers or struts can extend unassisted. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

CAUTION: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital components and systems and their failure may result in major service expense. New parts must be installed with the same part numbers or equivalent part, if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used during reassembly to make sure correct retention of these parts.

1. Remove the wheel and tire.
2. Using a suitable jack, support the axle.
3. Remove and discard the shock absorber lower nut and bolt.
4. Remove the 4 U-bolt nuts, the U-bolt plate and the 2 U-bolts.
^ Discard the nuts and the U-bolts.

5. NOTE: If removing the left rear spring, lower the fuel tank to gain access to the spring shackle-to-frame bolt.

NOTE: If removing the right rear spring, remove the muffler to gain access to the spring-to-frame bolt.

Remove and discard the spring-to-frame nut and bolt.
6. Remove and discard the spring shackle-to-frame nut and bolt.

7. NOTE: Only lower the axle enough to gain access to remove the spring.

Lower the jack and remove the spring and shackle.
8. If necessary, remove the spring-to-shackle nut, bolt and spring shackle.
^ Discard the nut and bolt.

Installation

All vehicles
1. If necessary, position the spring and install the shackle-to-spring bolt and nut.
^ Tighten until snug.
2. Install the spring shackle-to-frame bolt and nut.
^ Tighten until snug.
3. Position the U-bolt plate and install the U-bolts and nuts.
^ Tighten until snug.

4. NOTE: On four wheel drive (4WD) vehicles, make sure the spacer is correctly seated between the axle and spring, with the nose pointed inward.

Install the spring-to-frame bolt and nut.
^ Tighten until snug.
5. Install the shock absorber bolt and nut.
^ Tighten until snug.
6. Install the wheel and tire.
7. Lower the vehicle until the weight of the vehicle is resting on the wheels and tires (curb height).
8. Tighten the spring shackle-to-frame nut to 133 Nm (98 lb-ft).
9. Tighten the spring-to-shackle nut to 133 Nm (98 lb-ft).

10. NOTE: If installing the left rear spring, raise the fuel tank.

NOTE: If installing the right rear spring, install the muffler.

Tighten the spring-to-frame nut and bolt to 350 Nm (258 lb-ft).

Light duty vehicles
11. Tighten the U-bolt nuts in 4 stages.
^ Stage 1: Tighten in a cross pattern to 35 Nm (26 lb-ft).
^ Stage 2: Tighten in a cross pattern to 70 Nm (52 lb-ft).
^ Stage 3: Tighten in a cross pattern to 100 Nm (74 lb-ft).
^ Stage 4: Tighten in a cross pattern to 133 Nm (98 lb-ft).

Heavy duty vehicles
12. Tighten the U-bolt nuts in 4 stages.
^ Stage 1: Tighten in a cross pattern to 63 Nm (46 lb-ft).
^ Stage 2: Tighten in a cross pattern to 125 Nm (92 lb-ft).
^ Stage 3: Tighten in a cross pattern to 188 Nm (139 lb-ft).
^ Stage 4: Tighten in a cross pattern to 250 Nm (184 lb-ft).

All vehicles
13. Tighten the shock absorber lower nut to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).