Rear Knuckle Alignment Link: Service and Repair

NOTE: Before proceeding, review all SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS found under Suspension, Service Precautions.

REMOVAL
1. Raise vehicle. See Maintenance for the required lifting procedure.
2. Remove the wheel and tire from the side of the vehicle requiring toe link replacement.





3. Remove the toe link outer tie rod to knuckle cotter Din and castle nut.





4. Remove the toe link outer tie rod from the knuckle using Puller, Special Tool C-3894A.





NOTE: The toe link to frame outer mounting location is used for adjusting the rear wheel dynamic toe pattern. The dynamic rear wheel toe pattern is adjusted by installing an adjustment shim at this location. Be sure when removing the outer mounting bolt and nut the adjustment shim is not discarded. Also, note the side of the vehicle and the position the adjustment shim was installed, it must be reinstalled in the same position. This is required to maintain the rear wheel dynamic toe pattern when Toe link is installed.

5. Remove the toe link to frame inner and outer attaching bolts and nuts.
6. Remove the toe link from the vehicle by sliding it out of its mounting bracket and "U" channel, then out through rear wheel opening.

INSTALLATION
1. Install the toe Link into its mounting bracket and "U" channel on the frame of the vehicle.
2. Install the toe link to frame crossmember "U" channel inner attaching bolt. Do not tighten attaching bolt at this time.






3. Install the toe link outer attaching bolt. Install the original adjustment shim onto the Toe link mounting bracket. Install outer Toe link assembly to mounting bracket attaching nut.
4. Pull down on rear toe link at outer mounting bracket. While holding down rear toe link, tighten the outer toe link to mounting bracket bolt to a torque of 68 Nm (50 ft. lbs.). Then tighten the toe link assembly to "U" channel inner mounting bolt to a torque of 68 Nm (50 ft. lbs.).
5. Install toe link outer tie rod end on knuckle. Install tie rod to steering knuckle attaching nut and tighten to a torque of 34 Nm (25 ft. lbs.). Install cotter pin.
6. Install the wheel and tire assembly. Tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specification. Repeat the tightening sequence to the full specified torque of 122 Nm (90 ft. lbs.).
7. Lower vehicle.
8. Position the vehicle on an alignment rack or drive-on hoist.
9. Measure the vehicle's curb height. Refer to Curb Height Measurement found in Wheels, Tires and Alignment, Alignment, Adjustments.
10. Align the vehicles static toe per the service procedure listed in Wheel Alignment.