seated into the hole in the knuckle. Next, Rotate the
knuckle until the upper mounting holes in the
knuckle is aligned with the holes in the strut’s clevis
bracket.
CAUTION: The strut-to-knuckle attaching bolts are
serrated and must not be turned during installation.
Once installed, hold the bolts stationary in the
steering knuckle while installing and tightening the
nuts.
(2) Install the two bolts attaching the strut to the
rear knuckle from the front side. Install the nuts on
the bolts (Fig. 7). Tighten the two nuts to a torque of
88 N·m (65 ft. lbs.).
(3) Align the lateral arms with the hole in the cen-
ter of the knuckle. Install the bolt attaching the arms
to the knuckle. When installing the bolt, start it from
the front side. Install the nut, but do not completely
tighten it at this time. The nut will need to be tight-
ened when the vehicle is at curb height.
(4) Install the rear bayonet bushing on the tension
strut. Be sure the stepped area of the bushing is
squarely seated into the hole in the knuckle.
(5) Install the rear tension strut retainer, then the
nut. To completely install the nut, place a wrench on
the flat formed into the tension strut and tighten the
nut (Fig. 8). Tighten the nut to a torque of 95 N·m
(70 ft. lbs.).
(6) If vehicle is equipped with rear drum brakes,
install the brake support plate on the knuckle and
attach it using it’s four mounting bolts (Fig. 5).
Tighten the mounting bolts to a torque of 75 N·m (55
ft. lbs.).
(7) If the vehicle is equipped with rear disc brakes,
install the disc brake adapter on the knuckle and
attach it using it’s four mounting bolts (Fig. 6).
Tighten the mounting bolts to a torque of 75 N·m (55
ft. lbs.).
(8) Install the hub and bearing on the knuckle’s
spindle, then install a new retaining nut (Fig. 4). Do
not reuse the original nut. Tighten the nut to a
torque of 217 N·m (160 ft. lbs.).
(9) Install the dust cap on the end of the hub and
bearing (Fig. 4).
(10) If the vehicle is equipped with rear disc
brakes (Fig. 4), install the brake rotor and disc brake
caliper on the knuckle. Install the two guide pin bolts
securing the front disc brake caliper to the steering
knuckle. Tighten the guide pin bolts to a torque of 22
N·m (192 in. lbs.).
(11) If the vehicle is equipped with rear drum
brakes, install the screw securing the brake hose
bracket to the rear of the strut assembly (Fig. 2).
Tighten the screw to a torque of 31 N·m (275 in. lbs.).
(12) If the vehicle is equipped with the antilock
brake system (ABS), install the screw securing the
ABS wheel speed sensor bracket to the rear of the
strut assembly (Fig. 3). Tighten the mounting screw
to a torque of 13 N·m (120 in. lbs.).
(13) Install the tire and wheel assembly (Refer to
22 - TIRES/WHEELS - INSTALLATION). Tighten
the wheel mounting nuts in proper sequence until all
nuts are torqued to half specification. Repeat the
tightening sequence, this time, to full specified
torque of 135 N·m (100 ft. lbs.).
(14) Lower the vehicle to ground level.
(15) Tighten the lateral arm-to-knuckle mounting
bolt nut to a torque of 95 N·m (70 ft. lbs.).
(16) Set the rear toe on the vehicle to specification
if necessary. (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL
ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
LATERAL ARMS
DESCRIPTION
The lateral arms control the lateral movement of
the rear suspension, specifically the knuckle (Fig. 1).
There are two lateral arms per side of the rear sus-
pension. One arm is attached to the front end of the
knuckle and the other is attached to the rear of the
knuckle. The other end of each lateral arm attaches
to the rear crossmember.
Visually it appears that the left rear arm is
mounted backwards in relation to the other arms
(Fig. 9). Although the left rear arm looks like it is
same as the right rear arm, just reversed, it is not
the same; the arms are not interchangeable.
The front arms are interchangeable, but should be
mounted with the side displaying the word “FOR-
WARD” stamped into it toward the front of the vehi-
cle. The trimmed outer edge of the arms will then be
facing the rear of the vehicle.
The lateral arms are made of stamped steel and
have rubber isolator bushings at each end. The lat-
eral arms are attached to the rear crossmember and
knuckle using a unique bolt and nut assembly at
each
end.
The
lateral
arm-to-rear
crossmember
attaching bolts are longer than the lateral arm-to-
knuckle attaching bolts. Each lateral arm to knuckle
attaching bolt and nut assembly uses two flat wash-
ers. Each lateral arm to rear crossmember attaching
bolt uses one flat washer and one adjustment cam to
provide a means for rear wheel alignment toe adjust-
ment.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - LATERAL ARMS
Inspect each lateral arm (Fig. 1). Look for signs of
contact with an object that has caused damage to the
lateral arm. If the lateral arm is bent or damaged,
the lateral arm will require replacement. Do not
attempt to repair or straighten a lateral arm.
2 - 38
REAR SUSPENSION
PL/SRT-4
KNUCKLE (Continued)