Tools Required

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Wheel Removal in Tires and Wheels.
3. If the transverse leaf spring is to be replaced, measure the front spring adjuster bolt gap (1).

The measurement will be used in installation to set-up the vehicle trim height.




4. Install the transverse leaf spring compressor J 33432-A and adaptors.
5. Compress the transverse leaf spring.



6. Remove the lower shock absorber mounting bolts from one of the lower control arms.



7. Disconnect the stabilizer bar link from the lower control arm.



8. Loosen the lower ball joint nut on the lower control arm. Do not remove the nut.
9. Separate the lower the ball joint form the steering knuckle using ball joint separator tool J 42188 .
10. Remove the ball joint separator tool.
11. Remove the lower ball stud nut.
12. Remove the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.
13. Support the lower control arms with jack stands.



14. Mark the position of the cam bolts for reference at reinstallation.
15. Remove the cam bolts from the lower control arm.
16. Remove the lower control arm.



17. Remove the transverse leaf spring retainers.
18. Remove the transverse leaf spring from the vehicle.
19. Remove the transverse leaf spring compressor from the transverse leaf spring if the spring is to be replaced.

Tools Required

J 33432-A Transverse Leaf Spring Compressor and Adaptors

1. If the transverse leaf spring is a replacement, install the spring adjuster bolts to the height measured during removal.
2. Install the transverse leaf spring compressor J 33432-A and adaptors onto the transverse leaf spring.
3. Install the transverse leaf spring into the vehicle.




Important: Do not remove the transverse leaf spring compressor tool until after the shock absorber has been installed. The pad on the transverse leaf spring bolt could move out of position resulting in damage to the pad or a rattle in the front suspension.

4. Install the transverse leaf spring reatiner.

Tighten
Tighten the transverse leaf spring reatiner bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.




5. Install the lower control arm onto the front crossmember.
6. Install the cam bolts to the position that was mark during disassembly.

Due to a required wheel alignment, tighten the cam bolts but do not set to final torque specification at this time.




7. Install the lower control arm ball joint into the steering knuckle.

Tighten

1. Tighten the lower control arm ball stud nut to 20 N·m (15 lb ft) to seat the ball stud.
2. Turn the ball stud nut an additional 3½ flats.
3. Check the ball stud nut for a minimum final torque of 70 N·m (52 lb ft).



8. Support the lower control arm with a jack stand.
9. Install the shock absorber lower mounting bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the shock absorber lower mounting nuts to 28 N·m (21 lb ft).




10. Connect the stabilizer bar link to the lower control arm.

Tighten
Tighten the stabilizer link nut to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).




11. Remove the transverse leaf spring compressor and adaptors from the transverse spring.
12. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Wheel Removal in Tires and Wheels.
13. Remove the jack stands from the lower control arms.
14. Perform a front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.