Lateral Links: Installation
- Install lateral link, attaching bolt, washer, and nut at frame. See Fig 3 . DO NOT tighten bolt at this time.
- Install lateral link, attaching bolt, washer and nut on rear knuckle. See Fig 2 . DO NOT tighten bolt at this time.
- Remove tire and wheel assembly from opposite side of vehicle. Remove caps from both lower ball joints on both sides. The caps must be removed so they are not damaged by the jack stands.
- Position jack stands so they are located between stabilizer bar attaching links and lower ball joint on lower control arm. See Fig 4 . Lower vehicle so that both rear lower control arms are supported by jack stands and total weight of vehicle is supported by lower control arms.
- Tighten bolts attaching lateral links to knuckle and frame to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Raise vehicle and remove jack stands from under control arms. Install both tire and wheel assemblies on vehicle. Tighten wheel mounting stud nuts in proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specification. Then repeat tightening sequence to full specified torque. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Install center caps. Lower vehicle to ground. Position vehicle correctly on an alignment rack. Check wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
NOTE:
The lateral links must be Installed on vehicle in correct position. When installing lateral links on vehicle, hex on lateral link adjusting screw should be positioned toward frame of vehicle, not knuckle. This is necessary for proper alignment adjustments on rear suspension.
NOTE:
When Installing lateral links, DO NOT fully tighten mounting bolts until requested. The full weight of vehicle must be on rear suspension before tightening lateral link mounting bolts. Tightening these bolts with suspension at any other position will affect curb height of vehicle and will lead to premature failure of lateral link bushings.
NOTE:
The next several steps are necessary to provide access to properly tighten and torque lateral link mounting bolts with links in correct position.