REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

See Figure 1

These vehicles use two control arms on each rear wheel. To avoid the obvious confusion they are referred to as No. 1 and No. 2, with arm No.1 being the closest to the front of the car. The strut rod is the bar going from front to rear of the vehicle.



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Fig. Fig. 1: Exploded view of the 2WD rear suspension components-1988-92 models

No. 1 Arm

See Figures 2 through 6

Always matchmark all components prior to removal.

  1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
    2.  
  2. If necessary, remove the exhaust system.
    3.  
  3. Disconnect the strut rod.
    4.  
  4. Remove the No. 2 lower suspension arm.
    5.  



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Fig. Fig. 2: Remove the No. 2 arm retaining nuts and lower the arm from the car

  1. Support the rear crossmember with a jack. Remove the bolts retaining the crossmember and lower.
    2.  



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Fig. Fig. 3: Support the rear crossmember with a jack



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Fig. Fig. 4: Unbolt the rear crossmember ...



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Fig. Fig. 5: ... then lower the crossmember with the jack

  1. Remove the bolt and washer, then disconnect the No. 1 arm from the axle carrier.
    2.  
  2. Lower the crossmember, remove the bolt, washer and No.1 arm.
    3.  



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Fig. Fig. 6: Remove the No. 1 arm from the crossmember

To install:
  1. Install the No. 1 arm with the washers and bolts. Face the paint mark to the inside.
    2.  
  2. Attach the rear crossmember, tighten the retaining bolts to 55 ft. lbs. (74 Nm).
    3.  
  3. Install the exhaust system. Always replace the gaskets prior to installation.
    4.  
  4. Install the No. 2 arm, hand tighten the two lock nuts.
    5.  
  5. Install the strut rod and hand tighten the nuts till later.
    6.  
  6. Install the rear wheels. Lower the vehicle.
    7.  
  7. Bounce the car up and down several times to stabilize the suspension.
    8.  
  8. Jack up the vehicle again and support the body with stands.
    9.  
  9. Remove the rear wheel. Support the rear axle carrier with a jack.
    10.  

Tighten the nuts of the No. 2 arm to 87 ft. lbs. (118 Nm) and the strut rod bolt to 67 ft. lbs. (91 Nm).

  1. Install the rear wheels and lower the vehicle.
    2.  
  2. Inspect and adjust the rear wheel alignment.
    3.  
  3. Tighten the No. 2 arm lock nuts to 41 ft. lbs. (56 Nm).
    4.  

No. 2 Arm

See Figures 7 through 13

Always matchmark all components prior to removal.

  1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
    2.  
  2. Observe and matchmark the position of the adjusting cam at the body mount.
    3.  
  3. Remove the cover under the rear crossmember as shown in the illustration to access the rear arm mounting.
    4.  
  4. Disconnect the bolt holding the arm to the suspension knuckle.
    5.  
  5. Disconnect the bolt holding the arm to the body.
    6.  
  6. Remove the arm.
    7.  



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Fig. Fig. 7: No. 2 arm mounting access cover



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Fig. Fig. 8: While retaining the nut from the inside, remove the bolt on the outside



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Fig. Fig. 9: Once removed, be sure not to loose the adjusting cam



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Fig. Fig. 10: Remove the arm mounting bolt from the other side



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Fig. Fig. 11: Pull the arm from the under the vehicle

  1. Inspect the arms for any bending or cracking. If the arm is not true in all dimensions, it must be replaced. Any attempt to straighten a bent arm will damage it. Also check the bushings within the ends of the arms and replace any which are deformed or too spongy. If a bushing must be replaced, do not grease it before installation.
    2.  
  2. When installing the No. 2 arm, place the washers and hand tighten the nuts.
    3.  
  3. Install the strut rod and hand tighten the nuts till later.
    4.  



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Fig. Fig. 12: Place the washers and nuts on the No. 2 arm in this order



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Fig. Fig. 13: Attach the strut rod and hand-tighten the nuts

  1. Install the rear wheels. Lower the vehicle.
    2.  
  2. Bounce the car up and down several times to stabilize the suspension.
    3.  
  3. Jack up the vehicle again and support the body with stands.
    4.  
  4. Remove the rear wheel. Support the rear axle carrier with a jack.
    5.  

Tighten the nuts of the No. 2 arm to 87 ft. lbs. (118 Nm) and the strut rod bolt to 67 ft. lbs. (91 Nm).

  1. Install the rear wheels and lower the vehicle.
    2.  
  2. Inspect and adjust the rear wheel alignment.
    3.  
  3. Tighten the No. 2 arm lock nuts to 41 ft. lbs. (56 Nm).
    4.  

Strut Rod

See Figure 14

Always matchmark all components prior to removal.

  1. Loosen the lug nuts and raise and support the vehicle.
    2.  
  2. Remove the rear wheel.
    3.  
  3. On some models it may be necessary to remove the exhaust system.
    4.  
  4. Remove the 2 bolts, nuts and strut rod.
    5.  



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Fig. Fig. 14: Remove the bolts and nuts retaining the strut rod to the vehicle

To install:
  1. Attach the strut rod and hand tighten the nuts.
    2.  
  2. Install the exhaust system if removed.
    3.  
  3. Install the rear wheels and lower the vehicle.
    4.  
  4. Tighten the lugs nuts to 76 ft. lbs. (103 Nm).
    5.  
  5. Inspect and adjust the rear wheel alignment.
    6.