REMOVAL
Remove skid plate (if equipped). Remove stabilizer bar bolt
from lower control arm. Remove stabilizer bar clamp-to-hanger bolts.
Remove stabilizer bar and bushings. Remove stabilizer bar-to-frame
hangers (if necessary).
INSTALLATION
Inspect bushings for wear. Check stabilizer bar for
deformation. To install, reverse removal procedure. Install stabilizer
bar-to-frame hangers and stabilizer bar-to-control arm bolt using new
nuts. Tighten hanger-to-frame nut and stabilizer bar-to-control arm
nut until distance from threaded end of bolt to nut is .24-.32" (6.1-
8.1 mm).
STEERING KNUCKLE R & I
REMOVAL
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove
brake caliper. Remove hub/rotor assembly. See WHEEL BEARINGS under
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Remove dust cover from steering knuckle.
2) Disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle. Loosen
torsion bar anchor arm assembly adjusting nut. Loosen ball joint-to-
steering knuckle nuts. Using ball joint separator, separate ball
joints from steering knuckle.
3) Detach upper and lower ball joints from steering knuckle.
Remove steering knuckle from drive axle. Remove oil seal and spacer
from steering knuckle.
INSPECTION
Inspect steering knuckle for cracks. Inspect spindle and
steering knuckle needle bearing for wear or damage.
INSTALLATION
1) If needle bearing requires replacement, drive bearing from
steering knuckle. Use Bearing Driver (MB990956-01) and Handle
(MB9909938-01) to install needle bearing.
NOTE: DO NOT reuse steering knuckle bearing if removed.
2) Using bearing installer and handle, install new needle
bearing until bearing is even with steering knuckle end face. Apply
SAE J310 NLGI No. 2 grease to bearing roller surface and spacer-to-
steering knuckle contact areas. Install spacer with chamfered side
toward inside of vehicle.
3) Using Seal Installer (MB990985-01) and Handle (MB990938-\
01), install seal in steering knuckle until seal is even with steering
knuckle end face. Apply grease to seal lip area and inside of seal. To
complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table at end of article.
TORSION BAR R & I
CAUTION: Mark torsion bar and anchor arm location for reassembly
reference before removing.
shaft.
3) On Montero, install control arm-to-crossmember bolts from
the outside of control arm, with nuts against crossmember.
4) Ensure alignment shims are placed in original location.
When installing shock absorber, ensure White paint mark on lower end
of shock faces toward the outside of vehicle. Tighten shock absorber
upper nut until distance from end of threads to nut is .27-.31" (7-8
mm). Install shock lock nut.
5) Tighten bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
table at end of article. Bleed brakes. Adjust anchor bolt to proper
torsion bar setting. See TORSION BAR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
Check wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
WHEEL BEARINGS R & I
REMOVAL
1) Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove
caliper assembly. Remove locking hub. See LOCKING HUB under REMOVAL &
INSTALLATION.
2) Remove lock washer. Using Socket (MB990954), remove lock
nut. Remove front hub assembly from steering knuckle.
3) Remove oil seal and bearings from hub. If bearing races
need to be replaced, drive bearing races from hub using brass drift
and hammer.
INSTALLATION
1) Before installing, lubricate outside surfaces of bearing
outer races with grease. Install bearing outer races in hub. Ensure
bearing races are fully seated.
2) Pack bearings with grease. Install inner bearing in hub.
On Montero, install seal in hub using Seal Installer (MB990955). On
Pickup, use Seal Installer (MB990985).
3) Install seal until seal is even with hub surface. To
complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Adjust wheel
bearings. See WHEEL BEARINGS under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Tighten
bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS TABLE \
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Application Ft. Lbs. (N.m)
Anchor Bolt Lock Nut ............. 29-36 (39-49)
Automatic Hub Cover .............. 13-25 (18-34)
Ball Joint Nut
Lower ....................... 87-130 (118-176)
Upper .......................... 43-65 (58-88)
Ball Joint-to-Lower
Control Arm Bolt ............... 39-54 (53-73)
Caliper Bolt ..................... 58-72 (79-98)
Control Arm-to-Frame Bolt
Lower ................. ( 1) 101-116 (137-157)
Upper ......................... 72-87 (98-118)
Locking Hub-to-Hub/Rotor Bolt .... 36-43 (49-58)
Manual Hub Cover Bolt .................. 10 (14)
Shock Absorber Lower Mount Bolt
Montero ........................ 11-16 (15-22)
Ram-50 & Pickup ...................... 10 (14)
the facts, allowing the customer to draw their own
conclusions and make an informed decision about how to
proceed.
STEERING AND SUSPENSION
SERVICE PROCEDURES REQUIRED AND SUGGESTED FOR PROPER VEHICLE
OPERATION
Steering and suspension are complex systems made up of a
variety of interdependent components. For proper vehicle handling,
ride, and tire wear, a thorough inspection is required whenever
suspension work is being performed.
Conditions listed assume that the problem has been isolated
to the specific component by proper testing procedures.
NOTE: When replacing steering and/or suspension components which
may affect an alignment angle, you are required to check
and adjust alignment as needed. Refer to the OEM
specifications.
CAUTION: DO NOT use ride height altering or load compensating
components, such as variable rate springs and coil over
shocks, on vehicles with height or load sensing
proportioning valve-equipped braking systems, unless
these components are original equipment.
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION
NOTE: Depending on the air suspension design, there are some
aftermarket products available to eliminate the air ride
suspension on certain vehicles. If the system has been
eliminated with one of these products, then no service is
suggested or required.
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - AIR SHOCKS AND AIR STRUTS
NOTE: This section covers the air spring portion of the
air shock or strut. For damping portion of shock
or strut conditions and procedures, refer to the
SHOCK ABSORBERS, STRUT CARTRIDGES AND STRUT ASSEMBLIES
section.
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - AIR SHOCK AND AIR STRUT INSPECTION
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Condition Code Procedure
Inner fabric of air bag
damaged ................ A ............ Require replacement.
Leaking ................. A .. Require repair or replacement.
Outer covering of air bag
is cracked to the extent
that inner fabric of air
bag is visible ......... 1 ............ Suggest replacement.
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AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - AIR SPRING VALVES
AIR RIDE SUSPENSION - AIR SPRING VALVE INSPECTION \
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Condition Code Procedure
Stud loose in
taper hole ............. A ........... (7) Require repair or
replacement.
Taper hole elongated .... A ........ ( 8) Require replacement.
Threads damaged ......... A .. Require repair or replacement.
Threads stripped (threads
missing) ............... A ........ ( 7) Require replacement.
Wear exceeds
manufacturer's
specifications .......... B ............ Require replacement.
( 1) - If greaseable, grease joint. If problem persists or
joint is non-greaseable, require replacement.
( 2) - Cracked grease boot will allow contaminants to enter
the joint and will accelerate wear.
( 3) - Lack of grease boot will allow contaminants to enter
the joint and will accelerate wear.
( 4) - Torn grease boot will allow contaminants to enter the
joint and will accelerate wear.
( 5) - If manufacturer's procedures for inspection exist, use
those procedures; otherwise, use an approved inspection
method such as the dry park check.
CAUTION: DO NOT use pliers or pry bar to check ball and
socket movement. Use only moderate hand pressure.
( 6) - Excessive looseness is defined as being significant
enough to affect vehicle handling or structural
integrity.
( 7) - Check for damaged taper hole.
( 8) - Check for damaged stud.
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SHOCK ABSORBERS, STRUT CARTRIDGES AND STRUT ASSEMBLIES
You are not required to replace shocks or struts in axle
sets. However, when replacing a shock or strut due to the conditions
that follow, you may suggest replacement of the other shock or strut
on the same axle for improved performance and preventive maintenance.
* Part is close to the end of its useful life
* To extend tire life
* To balance ride and handling
* To improve stopping distance
When replacing steering and/or suspension components which
may affect an alignment angle, you are required to check and adjust
alignment as needed. Refer to the OEM specifications.
Under no circumstances should a technician bend struts or
strut housings.
A vehicle's load-carrying and handling abilities are limited
by its suspension, tires, brakes, and driveline. Installing coil over
shocks or any other load assist device does not increase the vehicle's
load capacity. See the vehicle owner's manual for more details.
NOTE: If vehicle is equipped with original equipment coil over
shocks, apply the conditions for coil springs from the
SPRINGS - COIL, LEAF AND TORSION BAR section of the
STEERING AND SUSPENSION guidelines. If the vehicle is
equipped with add-on coil over shocks, you may suggest
replacing the shocks with standard shocks for any spring-
related condition.
SHOCK ABSORBER, STRUT CARTRIDGE AND STRUT ASSEMBLY INSPECTION
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