Chapter 8 Rear Suspension System Service 157
procedures for rear ball joints are the same as those for
lower ball joints used on front MacPherson strut systems.
Raise the vehicle and remove the wheel. Then, loosen the
ball stud nut and break the taper between the spindle and
the ball joint stud. Place a jack under the control arm and
remove the ball stud nut. Next, move the spindle out of the
way and remove the ball joint from the control arm.
See Figure 8-23.
Install the new ball joint into the control arm. Place
the spindle over the ball joint stud and tighten the nut.
Reinstall the wheel and align the vehicle.
Replacing Springs
Three types of springs are used on rear suspensions.
As with front suspension springs, care must be taken to
ensure that all spring tension has been removed before
loosening fasteners from the suspension system.
Coil Springs
Rear coil springs used with solid rear axles are usually
held in place by the weight of the vehicle. When the
vehicle is raised with the wheels hanging, the spring can be
removed by removing the shock absorber. After raising the
vehicle and securing the rear axle, support the axle with a
jack stand. Remove the shock absorber on the side of the
spring to be replaced and slowly lower the axle until the
spring can be removed. See Figure 8-24. The coil springs
used on some trucks are held to the axle with a clip and bolt.
Remove the clip to remove the spring. To reinstall the spring,
make sure all insulators are in place, Figure 8-25. Then
install the new spring and reinstall all rear suspension com-
ponents. See Figure 8-26.
If the spring is part of a MacPherson strut assembly,
the spring can be replaced after the strut is removed and
disassembled. If the spring is installed on the lower control
arm of an independent suspension, it must be compressed
for removal. This was previously explained in the control
arm removal section.
Puller
Tie rod
Figure 8-22. This outer rear tie rod is being removed with a tie
rod puller.
Strut
assembly
Knuckle
Tie
rod
Lower
control
arm
Ball
joint
Figure 8-23. Exploded view of a rear suspension assembly.
Note that the lower control arm in this arrangement contains a
ball joint. (General Motors)
Cup
Isolator
Shock absorber
disconnected
Jounce
bumper
Jack stands
Coil spring
Isolators
Figure 8-24. Lower the rear axle with a floor jack so the coil
spring can be removed. Do not work under the vehicle without
using jack stands! (Hyundai)
Figure 8-25. Typical coil spring and isolators. (General Motors)