Lateral Stabilizer Rod: Service and Repair
Lateral LinkREMOVAL
CAUTION: Do not apply heat to the lateral link adjusting screws or to the jam nuts when loosening or adjusting the lateral links if the link is to reused.
1. Raise the vehicle.
2. Remove the center cap from the wheel. Center cap is removed by inserting a trim stick into the notch on the center cap and prying it off the wheel.
3. Remove the wheel and tire.
4. Remove the nut, washer and bolt attaching the lateral link requiring replacement to the knuckle.
5. Remove the nut, washer and bolt attaching the lateral link requiring replacement to the frame.
6. Remove the lateral link from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: The lateral links must be installed on the vehicle in the correct position. When installing the lateral links on the vehicle, the hex on the lateral link adjusting screw should be positioned toward the frame of the vehicle, not the knuckle. This is necessary for proper alignment adjustments on the rear suspension.
1. Install the lateral link, attaching bolt, washer, and nut at the frame. Do not tightened the bolt at this time.
NOTE: When installing lateral links, do not fully tighten the mounting bolts until requested. The full weight of the vehicle must be on the rear suspension before tightening lateral link mounting bolts. Tightening these bolts with the suspension at any other position will affect the curb height of the vehicle and will lead to premature failure of the lateral link bushings.
2. Install the lateral link, attaching bolt, washer and nut on the rear knuckle. Do not tightened the bolt at this time.
NOTE: The next several steps are necessary to provide access to properly tighten and torque the lateral link mounting bolts with the links in the correct position.
3. Remove the tire and wheel assembly from the opposite side of the vehicle.
4. Remove the caps from the lower ball joints on both sides. The caps must be removed so they are not damaged by the jack stands.
5. Position the jack stands so they are located between the stabilizer bar attaching links and the lower ball joints on the lower control arms. Lower the vehicle so that both rear lower control arms are supported by the jack stands and the total weight of the vehicle is supported by the lower control arms.
6. Tighten the bolts attaching the lateral links to the knuckle and frame to a torque of 163 Nm (120 ft. lbs.).
7. Raise the vehicle and remove jack stands from under control arms.
a. Install both tire and wheel assemblies. Tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specification. Then repeat the tightening sequence to the full specified torque of 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
9. Install the center caps on the wheels.
10. Lower vehicle to the ground.
11. Position the vehicle correctly on an alignment rack.
NOTE: When any lateral link on the vehicle is replaced, the vehicle must have an a full four-wheel alignment performed afterwards.
12. Check and reset the vehicles wheel alignment.