Front Suspension
REMOVAL PROCEDURE1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
3. Move the steering shaft dust seal in order to gain access to the pinch bolt.
CAUTION: Failure to disconnect intermediate shaft from rack and pinion stub shaft can result in damage to steering gear and/or intermediate shaft. This damage can cause loss of steering control which could result in personal injury.
4. Remove the pinch bolt from the lower intermediate steering shaft. Refer to INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT REPLACEMENT.
5. Loosen all insulator clamp attaching nuts and bolts.
6. Place a jackstand under the center of the rear
7. Remove the frame crossmember. Remove the frame-to-body bolts. Refer to CROSSMEMBER.
8. Lower the rear of the frame just enough to gain access to the stabilizer shaft.
9. Remove the bolts and the clamps from the frame.
10. Remove the insulators from the stabilizer bar.
11. Remove the stabilizer bar links from the control arms.
12. Pull the stabilizer shaft rearward.
13. Swing the stabilizer shaft down to remove the stabilizer shaft from the left side of the vehicle.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
1. Insert the stabilizer shaft to the left side of the vehicle.
Important: DO NOT tighten the stabilizer link nut at this time. The weight of the vehicle must be supported by the control arms such that you can obtain the vehicle design trim heights before tightening the link nut.
2. Loosely install the stabilizer shaft link at the control arm.
3. Install the insulators from the stabilizer bar.
NOTICE: Always use the correct fastener in the proper location. When you replace a fastener, use ONLY the exact part number for that application. The manufacturer will call out those fasteners that require a replacement after removal. The manufacturer will also call out the fasteners that require thread lockers or thread sealant. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, do not use supplemental coatings (paints, greases, or other corrosion inhibitors) on threaded fasteners or fastener joint interfaces. Generally, such coatings adversely affect the fastener torque and joint clamping force, and may damage the fastener. When you install fasteners, use the correct tightening sequence and specifications. Following these instructions can help you avoid damage to parts and systems.
4. Connect the insulator clamps to the frame.
Tighten
Tighten the stabilizer shaft bracket bolts to 48 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).
5. Raise the frame into position while you guide the steering shaft onto the gear.
6. Install the new frame-to-body attaching bolts. Refer to FRAME REPLACEMENT in FRAME AND UNDERBODY.
7. Remove the jackstand.
CAUTION: When installing the intermediate shaft make sure that the shaft is seated prior to pinch bolt installation. If the pinch bolt is inserted into the coupling before shaft installation, the two mating shafts may disengage. Disengagement of the two mating shafts will cause loss of steering control which could result in personal injury.
8. Install the pinch bolt and tighten. Refer to INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT REPLACEMENT in STEERING COLUMN.
9. Install the dust seal into the steering gear.
10. Support the weight of the vehicle by the control arms.
11. Tighten the stabilizer link nut.
Tighten
Tighten the stabilizer shaft link nut to 23 Nm (17ft. lbs.).
12. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
13. Lower the vehicle.
14. Adjust the wheel alignment.