Rear Suspension

The rear suspension on front wheel drive models consists of the following components:
A rear axle
^ Two coil springs
^ Two shock absorbers
^ A rear axle tie rod





The rear axle is the trailing-arm type of design. Two control arms (trailing arms) mount the axle to the body. These control arms are welded to the axle housing. The control arms, the rear axle tie rod, and the shock absorbers perform the following functions:
^ Maintain the relationship of the rear axle to the body
^ Oppose the torque reaction on acceleration and braking
^ Provide for the best handling

A nonserviceable stabilizer bar is an integral part of the rear axle. This stabilizer bar is welded to the inside of the axle housing.

The rear coil springs are retained between a seat in the underbody and a seat welded on top of the rear axle housing. A rubber insulator isolates the coil spring at the top and at the bottom. The spring upper end mounts in the underbody spring pilot. The spring lower end is welded on top of the axle to the rear axle beam. When installing the rear spring align the paint stripe down, rearward, and centered with the rear shock absorber.





The shock absorbers mount at the bottom with a bolt and nut to brackets which are welded to the axle housing and at the top with a bolt and nut underneath the body. The rear axle tie rod is a single unit with nonreplaceable bushings at either end. The rear tie rod attaches to the axle housing at the lower attachment and to the underbody at the other ends. The rear axle tie rod controls the side movement of the rear axle. A single unit rear wheel hub bolts to both ends of the rear axle. This rear wheel hub bolts to both ends of the rear axle. This rear wheel hub is a sealed unit and the bearing is not replaceable as a separate unit. Shock absorbers on some models may be part of the Automatic Level Control (ALC) system. Refer to Air Compressor Performance Test in Automatic Level Control System. Shocks of this type automatically air-adjust according to load conditions.