B
FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING
Read all of SAFETY and this section before attempting any procedure. Pay particular attention to Notices, Cautions, Warnings and Dangers.
25
Repair and Service Manual
634756
Fig. 8 Axle Linkage Rod Replacement
Check axle alignment. The distance from the center bolt
at rear left spring to center bolt at front right spring, must
be equal distance as center bolt at rear right spring to
center bolt at front left spring (Ref. Fig. 9).
Tighten spring hardware (21, 19, 27) first, and rack and
pinion unit hardware (15), to 35 - 50 ft. lbs. (50 - 70 Nm)
torque.
Fig. 9 Front Axle Alignment
Adjust length of new axle linkage rod until it will pass
through and seat in the hole in the front axle assembly
and the rear spring plate without resistance.
Tighten ball joint nuts and linkage rod jam nuts to 20 - 25
ft. lbs. (27 - 33 Nm) torque.
Lower the vehicle as instructed in SAFETY section.
Front Spring Replacement
Tool List
Qty.
Jack Stands .................................................................4
Ratchet ........................................................................1
Socket, 3/4" .................................................................1
Socket, 5/8" .................................................................1
Wrench, 5/8" ................................................................1
Torque Wrench ft. lbs...................................................1
Tape Measure ..............................................................1
Failure of a single spring will result in overstressing the
other spring; therefore, replace front springs as a set.
The following procedure will replace one spring at a
time.
Loosen front wheels.
Lift and support front of vehicle as instructed in SAFETY
section. Observe all warnings.
Remove front wheels.
To detach driver side spring:
Fully loosen the two rack and pinion unit lock nuts (15),
one near the bellows and one on the rear side of the rack
and pinion unit, until only one thread is engaged (Ref. Fig.
7).
Remove the lock nut (15) and washer (14) from the long
bolt (20). Discard lock nut. The rack and pinion unit is now
loose.
Remove two 1-3/4" long bolts (18) and lock nuts (19)
securing driver side spring to axle. Discard lock nuts.
Hold nut (21) with wrench and loosen long bolt (20). Note
location of washer (22) and thread long bolt out as far as
possible to remove the washer, nut and spacer (23).
Then pull long bolt and spring plate (24) from axle and
spring. Retain above items (20 - 24) for assembly at their
original locations.
Pull upper driver side of floor mat out of plastic trim
retainer and away from floor. Locate and remove hard-
ware (25 - 27) securing rear of spring (17) to vehicle
frame and discard lock nuts (27).
To prevent stress and possible damage to the rack
and pinion unit, the driver side spring must be
mounted to the axle with the hardware (20 - 23)
installed in its original location (Ref. Fig. 7).
Ball Joint Nut
View from Underside
of Vehicle
Equal
Distance
