Description

Vehicles have independent front suspension. Major components are upper and lower control arms, coil springs, and shock absorbers. A stabilizer bar is attached to the body by brackets, and to lower control arms by links.

Ball Joint Checking

Raise and support vehicle. Inspect ball joints for excessive play and damaged rubber boots.

Ball Joint Removal & Installation

Remove steering knuckle. To remove ball joint, remove circlip or retaining bolts, and then press ball joint from steering knuckle.

Reverse removal procedure to install ball joint. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS at bottom of page. Check wheel alignment.

Lower Control Arm, Steering Knuckle and Coil Spring

Removal

1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove wheel.
3. Detach stabilizer link from control arm.
4. Measure and record dimension "A" from end of threads to rear nut (See image below).
5. Back off rear nut to permit removal of strut rod from control arm.
6. Remove caliper assembly and brake hose bracket.
7. Separate tie rod end from steering knuckle.
8. Separate ball joints from steering knuckle.
9. Remove steering knuckle.
10. Loosen lower shock absorber mounting bolt.
11. Support lower control arm using floor jack.
12. Remove lower shock absorber bolt.
13. Lower jack slowly. Remove coil spring. Remove control arm pivot bolt and control arm.

Installation

1. Position coil spring so straight end is at bottom. Tape damping ring to spring. Ensure spring fits into control arm depression. Reverse removal procedure to complete installation. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS at bottom of page.
2. Check wheel alignment. Turn wheel to lock position. Ensure brake hose is 1" (25 mm) from wheel. Bend bracket as necessary to adjust..

Shock Absorber Removal & Installation

1. Raise and support vehicle. Loosen lower shock absorber mounting bolt.
2. Lower vehicle to floor. Remove lower mounting bolt.
3. Again raise and support vehicle. Avoid damaging upper ball joint when raising vehicle while shock absorber is disconnected.
4. Remove upper shock absorber mounting hardware and shock absorber.
5. Reverse removal procedure to install. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS at bottom of page.

Upper Control Arm

Removal

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove upper ball joint retaining bolts. Carefully swing steering knuckle to one side. Note position of upper control arm pivot shaft. Remove pivot shaft and control arm.

Bushing Replacement

Note locations of spot welds. Grind off welds. Press out bushing. Pressing in new bushing and spot-weld new bushing at same locations. Clean and paint welds to prevent rust.

Installation

Grease pivot shaft. Install pivot shaft in original position. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts and nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS at bottom of page. Check wheel alignment.

Stabilizer Bar Removal & Installation

Disconnect stabilizer bar from lower control arms. Remove bracket retaining bolts. Remove stabilizer bar. To install, reverse removal procedure.

Wheel Bearing Removal & Installation

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove caliper assembly and support it out of work area. Remove dust cap, hub nut and thrust washer. Remove brake disc. Using a long drift, tap bearings, races and grease seal from disc hub.

Clean hub cavity thoroughly. Press inner and outer bearing race into bores. Lubricate and install inner bearing. Tap grease seal into bore.

Install brake disc, outer bearing, thrust washer, and hub nut. Reverse removal procedure to complete installation. Adjust wheel bearing. Peen nut.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS