Suspension arms and knuckle (rear) — removal and installation
1. Loosen the wheel lug nuts, raise the vehicle and support it securely on jack stands. Block the front wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling. Remove the wheel.
Upper suspension arm
2. Remove the ABS wheel speed sensor harness mounting fasteners.
3. Support the lower arm B with a floor jack placed under the arm, between the coil spring seat and the outer end of the arm.
Note: Do not remove the jack while it is supporting the lower arm B.
4. Remove the fasteners at each end of the upper arm and remove the arm from the vehicle (see illustration).
i. 4 Upper arm mounting details
A Upper arm
В Harness fasteners
C Upper arm inner pivot bolt
D Upper arm-to-rear knuckle bolt
5. Check the arm for bending and cracks, and the bushing for wear, hardness or deterioration.
6. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Raise the lower arm with the floor jack to simulate normal ride height, then tighten the fasteners to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
Note: Before tightening the fasteners, use the floor jack to raise the suspension to simulate normal ride height.
Lower suspension arms Lower arm A
7. Support the lower arm B with a floor jack placed under the arm, between the coil spring seat and the outer end of the arm.
Warning: Do not remove the jack while it is supporting the lower arm B.
Note: When removing lower arm, A, it may be necessary to remove the shock absorber for tool clearance.
8. If equipped, remove the cover from lower arm B.
9. Mark the position of the adjuster cam on the inner pivot bolt to the subframe (see illustration).
i. 9 Make matchmarks on the toe adjuster cam and subframe before loosening the nut/bolt
10. Remove the inner end mounting fastener from lower arm A (see illustration).
i. 10 Lower arm A mounting details
A Lower arm A
B Lower arm A-to-knuckle nut (not visible)
C Lower arm A-to-subframe fastener and adjuster cam
11. Remove the outer end mounting nut to knuckle. Using a ball joint removal tool or a small puller, detach the ball stud from the knuckle and remove the arm from the vehicle.
12. Installation is the reverse of removal. Be sure to align the matchmarks made in Step 9, and tighten the fasteners to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
Note: Before tightening the fasteners, use the floor jack to raise the suspension to simulate normal ride height.
Lower arm B
13. Support the lower arm B with a floor jack placed under the arm at the end where the knuckle is connected to the arm.
Warning: Do not remove the jack while it is supporting the lower arm B.
14. Remove the wheel speed sensor harness mounting fasteners.
15. Disconnect the rear stabilizer bar link from the arm (see Strut assembly (front) — removal, inspection and installation).
16. Loosen the lower arm inner mounting fastener (see illustration).
i. 16 Lower arm B mounting details
A Lower arm B
B Coil spring
C Stabilizer bar link
D Lower arm mounting fasteners
17. Remove the lower arm outer mounting fastener and disconnect the knuckle from the arm.
18. Slowly lower the floor jack until the coil spring is extended, then remove the coil spring (see Strut assembly (front) — removal, inspection and installation).
19. Remove the lower arm inner mounting fastener and remove the arm.
20. Installation is the reverse of removal. Be sure to position the lower end of the coil spring in the depressed area of the lower arm. Tighten all fasteners to the proper torque specifications.
Note: Before tightening the fasteners, use the floor jack to raise the suspension to simulate normal ride height
Trailing arm
21. Support the lower arm B with a floor jack placed under the arm at the end where the knuckle is connected to the arm.
Warning: Do not remove the jack while it is supporting the lower arm B.
22. Disconnect the parking brake cable bracket from the trailing arm.
23. Remove the rear shock absorber (see Strut assembly (front) — removal, inspection and installation).
24. Remove the trailing arm-to-knuckle fasteners, then loosen the trailing arm pivot bolt/ nut (see illustration).
i. 24 Trailing arm mounting details
A Trailing arm
B Parking brake cable mounting bracket
C Trailing arm-to-knuckle fasteners
D Trailing arm pivot bolt/nut
E Trailing arm bracket bolts
25. Remove the trailing arm bracket bolts and detach the arm from the chassis, then remove the bolt and detach the bracket from the arm.
26. Inspect the trailing arm pivot bushing for signs of deterioration. If it is in need of replacement, take the trailing arm to an automotive machine shop to have the bushing replaced.
27. Installation is the reverse of removal, noting the following points:
- Before fully tightening the trailing arm fasteners, raise the suspension with a floor jack to simulate normal ride height.
- Tighten all fasteners to the torque values listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
- Have the rear wheel alignment checked and, if necessary, adjusted.
Rear knuckle
28. On AWD models, remove the drive axle/ hub nut and discard it.
29. Remove the rear brake disc caliper and brake disc (see Brakes).
30. Remove the hub and bearing assembly (see Strut assembly (front) — removal, inspection and installation).
31. Disconnect the parking brake cable and the rear wheel speed sensor.
32. Support the lower arm B with a floor jack placed under the arm at the end where the knuckle is connected to the arm.
Warning: Do not remove the jack while it is supporting the lower arm B.
33. Detach the lower arm B from the knuckle (see Step 16).
34. Slowly lower the floor jack until the coil spring is extended, then remove the coil spring (see Strut assembly (front) — removal, inspection and installation).
35. Detach the upper arm from the knuckle (see Step 9).
36. Detach the lower arm A from the knuckle (see illustration 10).
37. Detach the trailing arm from the knuckle (see illustration 24).
38. On AWD models, carefully push the drive axle while removing the knuckle. Use a puller if the drive axle is stuck in the hub (see Driveline).
Note: Do not pull on the drive axle because the inner CV joint could separate.
39. Installation is the reverse of removal, noting the following points:
- Place the spring into the lower arm B spring seat and raise the arm with a floor jack, then tighten the fasteners to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
- Before fully tightening the pivot bolts of the suspension arms, raise the suspension with a floor jack to simulate normal ride height.
- Tighten all suspension fasteners to the torque values listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
- Tighten the brake fasteners to the torque listed in the Brakes Specifications.
- Install a new drive axle/hub nut and tighten the nut to the torque listed in the Driveline Specifications.
- It won’t be necessary to bleed the brakes unless a hydraulic fitting was loosened.
- Have the rear wheel alignment checked and, if necessary, adjusted.