B
24
Repair and Service Manual
FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING
Read all of SAFETY and this section before attempting any procedure. Pay particular attention to Notices, Cautions, Warnings and Dangers.
634756
Front Shock Absorber Replacement
Tool List
Qty.
Wrench, 9/16" .............................................................. 1
Remove the nut (1) from the bottom of the shock
absorber (2) at the front axle (3) (Ref. Fig. 7).
Compress shock absorber to clear the mounting bracket.
Loosen the nut (30) securing the top of the shock
absorber to the vehicle frame, then rotate the shock
absorber while holding the nut in place with a wrench.
Remove the shock
absorber.
Installation of shock absorber is reverse of disassembly.
Mounting nuts should be tightened until rubber bushings
(4) expand to diameter of shock absorber washers (5).
Front Axle Replacement
Tool List
Qty.
Ratchet ........................................................................ 1
Socket, 3/4" ................................................................. 1
Wrench, 9/16" .............................................................. 1
Wrench, 3/4" ................................................................ 1
Plastic Faced Hammer ................................................ 1
Shop Towels ............................................................. AR
Wire .......................................................................... AR
Wrench, 5/8" ................................................................ 1
Wrench, 11/16" ............................................................ 1
Socket, 9/16" ............................................................... 1
Socket, 5/8" ................................................................. 1
Torque Wrench, ft. lbs.................................................. 1
Lift and support front of vehicle as instructed in SAFETY
section. Observe all warnings.
Remove front wheels.
Remove hardware (1, 4, 5) securing shock absorbers (2)
to front axle (3) (Ref. Fig. 7).
On driver side, remove lock nut (6) and washer (8) from
bolt (7); discard nut. Pull bolt (7) and washer (9) from
spindle (10) and separate spindle from axle. Remove
thrust washer (11) and king pin tube (12) from spindle.
Wrap towel around spindle and let spindle rest on ground.
Repeat at passenger side allowing rack ball joint (29) rest
on front spring to support spindle.
To prevent possible injury from falling steering
components, secure rack and pinion unit (16)
to front springs with wire. This will prevent the
intermediate shaft connecting the rack and
pinion unit to the steering column from pulling
apart due to the weight of the steering system.
The intermediate shaft is assembled with the
universal joints set 90° out of phase with each
other.
Remove hardware (13, 14, 15) securing rack and pinion
unit (16) to front axle. Discard lock nuts (15). Move rack
and pinion unit back to rest on top of front springs (17).
Secure rack and pinion unit to spring with wire to prevent
pulling apart intermediate shaft.
Remove three 1-3/4" long bolts (18), two 1-1/2" long bolts
(28), spring plate (24) and five lock nuts (19) securing
axle to springs. Discard lock nuts. At the 3-1/2" long bolt
(20) securing front of left spring, note location of washer
(22) and remove it from end of bolt. Remove nut (21), 3-1/
2" long bolt (20), spring plate (24) and spacer (23). Retain
for assembly at their original locations.
To prevent stress and possible damage to the rack
and pinion unit, the axle must first be mounted to
the springs with the hardware (20 - 23) installed in
its original location (Ref. Fig. 7).
To prevent damage to bellows (16), the two 1-1/2" long
bolts (28) must be installed in their original location.
Front axle installation is the reverse order of disassembly
using new lock nuts (15, 19). All hardware (18 - 24, 28)
must be installed in its original location (Ref. Fig. 7).
Tighten leaf spring and rack and pinion unit hardware (13
- 15,18 - 21, 28) to 35 - 50 ft. lbs. (50 - 70 Nm) torque.
Install thrust washers (11), king pin tubes (12), spindles,
washers (9) and bolts (7). Tighten new lock nuts (6) to 56
- 70 ft. lbs. (75 - 95 Nm) torque. Check that spindle turns
freely on king pin tube after tightening.
Tighten shock absorber mounting hardware until rubber
bushings expand to diameter of shock absorber washer.
Install front wheels per WHEELS AND TIRES section and
lower vehicle per SAFETY section.
Check front wheel alignment and adjust if necessary. See
Axle Linkage Rod Replacement
Lift and support front of vehicle as instructed in SAFETY
section. Observe all warnings.
Remove axle linkage rod to be replaced by removing
each ball joint nut (Ref. Fig. 8).