leaf springs, and a tube and casting axle (Fig. 1) (Fig.
2). The leaf springs used on the rear suspension of
this vehicle are of either a mono-leaf or multi-leaf
design.

There are 2 different rear suspension designs

available:

• Front-Wheel-Drive

• All-Wheel-Drive
The rear axle used on Front-Wheel-Drive applica-

tions of this vehicle is mounted to the rear leaf
springs using isolator bushings at the axle mounting
brackets.

The rear axle used on All-Wheel-Drive applications

of this vehicle is also mounted to the rear leaf
springs, but does not use isolator bushings between
the rear axle and the leaf springs.

Each side of the rear suspension consists of these

major components:

• Leaf spring

• Jounce bumper

• Shock absorber

• Hub and bearing

• Track bar (one per suspension)

• Stabilizer bar (one per suspension)

OPERATION - REAR SUSPENSION

This rear suspension is designed to handle the var-

ious load requirements of the vehicle yet allow for a
comfortable ride.

2 - 26

REAR SUSPENSION

The rear wheel bearings used are similar to the

bearings used in the front suspension. A hub and
bearing assembly is used.

SPECIFICATIONS

REAR SUSPENSION FASTENER TORQUE

DESCRIPTION

N·m

Ft.

Lbs.

In.

Lbs.

Hub And Bearing Mounting
Bolts

129

—

Hub And Bearing Axle Hub
Nut

244

180

—

Jounce Bumper Mounting
Bolt

290

Leaf Spring Front Mount-To-
Body Bolts

—

Leaf Spring Front Pivot Bolt

156

115

—

Fig. 1 Front-Wheel-Drive Rear Suspension

1 - SHACKLE

7 - LEAF SPRING (MONO-LEAF)

2 - REAR MOUNT (HANGER)

8 - ISOLATOR

3 - TRACK BAR

9 - FWD REAR AXLE

4 - SPRING PLATE

10 - STABILIZER BAR LINKS

5 - ISOLATOR

11 - STABILIZER BAR

6 - FRONT MOUNT (HANGER)

Fig. 2 All-Wheel-Drive Rear Suspension

1 - SHACKLE
2 - REAR MOUNT (HANGER)
3 - LEAF SPRING (MULTI-LEAF)
4 - AWD REAR AXLE

REAR SUSPENSION

2 - 27

REAR SUSPENSION (Continued)

DESCRIPTION

N·m

Ft.

Lbs.

In.

Lbs.

Leaf Spring Plate-To-Axle
Bolts

—

Leaf Spring Rear Mount-To-
Body Bolts

—

Leaf Spring Shackle Plate
Nuts

—

Shock Absorber Mounting
Bolts

—

Stabilizer Bar Bushing
Retainer Bolts

—

Stabilizer Bar Link Nuts

—

Stabilizer Bar Link Frame
Bracket Mounting Bolts

—

Track Bar Bracket-To-Body
Mount Bolts

—

Track Bar Pivot Bolts

—

Wheel Mounting (Lug) Nut

135

100

—

SPECIAL TOOLS

REAR SUSPENSION

BUSHINGS

REMOVAL - LEAF SPRING FRONT BUSHING

(1) Raise vehicle on frame-contact hoist as follows:

(a) Position the hoist arm supporting the corner

of the vehicle to be serviced against a block of wood
placed on the body sill as shown (Fig. 3).

(b) Position the remaining hoist arms at each

corner of the vehicle in the normal fashion. (Refer
to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING
- STANDARD PROCEDURE)

level.
(2) Position an under-hoist utility jack or transmis-

sion jack under rear axle toward the side needing
bushing replacement. Jack pad should just contact
axle.

(3) Remove shock absorber lower mounting bolt.

NOTE: If shock absorber bolt deflects upward dur-
ing removal, raise axle by adjusting support jack. If
shock absorber bolt deflects downward during
removal, lower axle by adjusting support jack (or by
pulling on axle).

(4) Remove four bolts securing leaf spring front

mounting bracket to the body (Fig. 3).

(5) Using jack, slowly lower rear axle, permitting

the forward end of rear spring to hang down. Lower
it enough to allow access to spring pivot bolt. It may
be necessary to place a wooden block between the
spring and vehicle to hold forward end of the spring
in place.

(6) Remove leaf spring forward pivot bolt, then

remove mounting bracket.

Remover, Hub/Bearing 8458

Remover/Installer, Bushing 8459

Remover/Installer, Bushing 8526

Press, Ball Joint C-4212F

2 - 28

REAR SUSPENSION

REAR SUSPENSION (Continued)

(7) Straighten the retainer tabs on the bushing

(Fig. 4).

(8) Place Remover/Installer, Special Tool 8459 on

leaf spring and bushing as shown (Fig. 5) and tighten
Set Screw securing Remover Plate to tool threaded
shaft.

(9) Tighten nut (Fig. 5), removing bushing from

spring eye.

(10) Remove the tool from spring, then remove

bushing from tool.

INSTALLATION - LEAF SPRING FRONT
BUSHING

(1) Install by hand NEW bushing in left side of

leaf spring eye.

(2) Place Remover/Installer, Special Tool 8459 on

leaf spring and bushing as shown (Fig. 6) and tighten
Set Screw securing Installer Plate (8459–3) to tool
threaded shaft.

(3) Tighten nut (Fig. 6), installing bushing in

spring eye. Tighten nut until there is approximately
a 1 mm gap between the bushing flange and the
spring eye. Do not bottom the flange against the
spring eye.

(4) Remove Remover/Installer from the bushing

and leaf spring.

(5) Bend the retainer tabs on bushing outward

against spring eye.

(6) Position spring mounting bracket over spring

eye and install pivot bolt through center of bushing
from the outboard side.

NOTE: The pivot bolt must be installed from the
outboard side to allow proper bracket to body
mounting.

(7) Install the nut on the pivot bolt and lightly

tighten. Do not fully tighten bolt at this time.

Fig. 3 LIFTING POINT AND SPRING MOUNT

1 - BODY SILL AREA
2 - MOUNTING BOLTS
3 - SPRING MOUNTING BRACKET
4 - LEAF SPRING
5 - HOIST LIFT ARM
6 - WOODEN BLOCK

Fig. 4 STRAIGHTENED RETAINING TABS

1 - SPRING EYE
2 - RETAINING TABS

Fig. 5 TOOL 8459 MOUNTED FOR BUSHING

REMOVAL

1 - BUSHING
2 - BEARING
3 - WASHER
4 - NUT
5 - BODY (8459-1)
6 - PIN
7 - REMOVER PLATE (8459-2)
8 - SET SCREW

REAR SUSPENSION

2 - 29

BUSHINGS (Continued)

Content .. 16 17 18 19 ..