2002 JEEP LIBERTY axle

REAR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
REAR
DESCRIPTION.........................16
WARNING.............................16
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - REAR
SUSPENSION........................17
SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE CHART......................17
SHOCK
REMOVAL.............................18
INSTALLATION.........................18
SPRING
REMOVAL.............................18
INSTALLATION.........................18
JOUNCE BUMPER
REMOVAL.............................19
INSTALLATION.........................19
STABILIZER BAR
REMOVAL.............................19INSTALLATION.........................19
UPPER BALL JOINT
REMOVAL.............................20
INSTALLATION.........................20
UPPER CONTROL ARM
DESCRIPTION - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM,
BUSHINGS, AND BALL JOINT............20
OPERATION - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM,
BUSHINGS, AND BALL JOINT............20
REMOVAL.............................20
INSTALLATION.........................21
LOWER CONTROL ARM
DESCRIPTION.........................21
OPERATION...........................21
REMOVAL.............................21
INSTALLATION.........................21
REAR
DESCRIPTION
The rear suspension (Fig. 1) is comprised of :
²Drive axle
²Shock absorbers
²Coil springs
²Lower suspension arms
²Upper suspension arm
²Stabilizer bar
CAUTION: Suspension components with rubber/ure-
thane bushings should be tightened with the vehi-
cle at normal ride height. It is important to have the
springs supporting the weight of the vehicle when
the fasteners are torqued. This will maintain vehicle
ride comfort and prevent premature bushing wear.
WARNING
WARNING:: Suspension components with rubber
bushings must be tightened with the vehicle at nor-
mal ride height. It is important to have the springs
supporting the weight of the vehicle when the fas-
teners are torqued. If springs are not at their normal
ride position, vehicle ride comfort will be affected
and cause premature bushing wear.
Fig. 1 REAR SUSPENSION
1 - COIL SPRING
2 - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM
3 - STABILIZER BAR
4 - LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
5 - SHOCK
2 - 16 REARKJ

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - REAR SUSPENSION
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
VEHICLE INSTABILITY 1. Loose or worn wheel bearings. 1. Replace wheel bearings.
2. Loose, worn or bent suspension
components.2. Inspect, tighten or replace components
as necessary.
3. Tire pressure. 3. Adjust tire pressure.
VEHICLE PULLS TO ONE
SIDE1. Weak or broken spring. 1. Replace spring.
2. Alignment. 2. Align vehicle to specifications.
3.Tires. 3. Replace tires.
4. Brakes. 4. Repair as necassary.
KNOCKING, RATTLING
OR SQUEAKING1. Worn shock bushings. 1. Replace shock.
2. Loose shock mounting. 2. Tighten to specifications.
3. Shock valve. 3. Replace shock.
4. Loose upper ball joint. 4. Replace ball joint.
5. Loose, worn or bent suspension
components.5. Inspect, tighten or replace components
as necessary.
IMPROPER TRACKING 1. Loose, worn or bent suspension
components.1. Inspect, tighten or replace components
as necessary.
2. Bent axle. 2.Replace axle.
SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE CHART
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Shock Absorber Upper Nut 108 80 Ð
Shock Absorber Lower Nut 115 85 Ð
Suspension Arm Upper Ball Joint Nut 95 70 Ð
Suspension Arm Upper Frame Bolts 100 74 Ð
Rear Upper Ball Joint Bracket Bolts 136 100 Ð
Suspension Arms Lower Body/Axle Bracket Nut 163 120 Ð
Suspension Arms Lower Frame Bracket Nut 163 120 Ð
Stabilizer Bar Bolts 99 73 Ð
KJREAR 2 - 17
REAR (Continued)

SHOCK
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle. Position a
hydraulic jack under the axle to support the axle.
CAUTION: Do not allow the axle to hang from the
upper suspension arm ball joint.
(2) Remove the upper nut and bolt from the frame
bracket (Fig. 2).
(3) Remove the lower nut and bolt from the axle
bracket. Remove the shock absorber.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the shock absorber in the frame bracket
and install the bolt and nut (Fig. 2).
(2) Install the shock absorber in the axle bracket
and install the bolt and nut (Fig. 2).
(3) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
(4) Tighten the upper mounting nuts to 108 N´m
(80 ft. lbs.). Tighten the lower mounting nuts to 115
N´m (85 ft. lbs.).
SPRING
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle. Position a
hydraulic jack under the axle to support the axle.
(2) Remove the shock absorber lower bolt from the
axle bracket.
(3) Lower the hydraulic jack and tilt the axle and
remove the coil spring (Fig. 3).
(4) Remove and inspect the upper and lower
spring isolators (Fig. 3).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the upper isolator (Fig. 3).
(2) Install the lower isolator (Fig. 3).
(3) Pull down on the axle and position the coil
spring in the lower isolator.
CAUTION: Ensure the spring is positioned on the
lower isolator.
(4) Raise the axle with the hydraulic jack.
(5) Install the shock absorber to the axle bracket
and tighten to 115 N´m (85 ft. lbs.).
(6) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
(7) Tighten the stabilizer bar links to 99 N´m (73
ft. lbs.).
Fig. 2 SHOCK ABSORBER
1 - UPPER MOUNTING BOLT
2 - LOWER MOUNTING BOLT
Fig. 3 COIL SPRING
1 - UPPER INSULATOR
2 - JOUNCE BUMPER
3 - COIL SPRING
2 - 18 REARKJ

JOUNCE BUMPER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the shock (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/
REAR/SHOCK - REMOVAL).
(2) Remove the coil spring (Refer to 2 - SUSPEN-
SION/REAR/SPRING - REMOVAL).
(3) Pull the jounce bumper downwards to remove.
(Fig. 4)
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the jounce bumper into the mount by
twisting the bumper into place (Fig. 4).
(2) Install the coil spring (Refer to 2 - SUSPEN-
SION/REAR/SPRING - INSTALLATION).
(3) Install the shock (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/
REAR/SHOCK - INSTALLATION).
STABILIZER BAR
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the stabilizer bar bolts from the lower
suspension arm. (Fig. 5).
(3) Remove the stabilizer bar.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the stabilizer bar over the axle and
install the bolts to the lower suspension arm (Fig. 6).
Ensure the bar is centered with equal spacing on
both sides. Tighten the bolts to 99 N´m (73 ft. lbs.).
(2) Remove support and lower the vehicle.
Fig. 4 JOUNCE BUMPER
Fig. 5 REAR STABILIZER BAR
1 - MOUNTING HOLES
2 - STABILIZER BAR
Fig. 6 STABILIZER BAR MOUNTS
1 - STABILIZER BAR MOUNTING BOLTS
2 - LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
KJREAR 2 - 19

UPPER BALL JOINT
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Support the rear axle with a hydraulic jack.
(3) Remove the ball joint pinch bolt from the top of
the axle. (Fig. 7)
(4) Seperate the ball joint arm assembly from the
differential housing by prying upwards.
INSTALLATION
(1)Raise the rear axle with a hydraulic jack to align
the ball joint with the differential housing bracket.
(2) Insert the ball joint into the differential hous-
ing bracket.
(3) Install the ball joint pinch bolt and tighten to
95 N´m (70 ft. lbs.). (Fig. 7).
(4) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
UPPER CONTROL ARM
DESCRIPTION - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM,
BUSHINGS, AND BALL JOINT
The suspension arm uses vertical spool bushings to
isolate road noise. The suspension arm is bolted
through bushings to cage nuts in the body and a ball
joint to the top of the differential housing.
OPERATION - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM,
BUSHINGS, AND BALL JOINT
The upper suspension arm provides fore/aft and
lateral location of the rear axle. The suspension arm
travel is limited through the use of jounce bumpers
in compression and shock absorbers in rebound.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Support the rear axle with a hydraulic jack.
(3) Remove the ball joint pinch bolt from the top of
the differential housing bracket (Fig. 7).
(4) Remove partial nuts from the heat shield in
order to lower the shield down enough to get the
proper clearence to remove the right side bolt from
the body.
(5) Remove the upper suspension arm mounting
bolts from the body and remove the arm (Fig. 8).
(6) Remove the support bracket mounting bolts if
needed. (Fig. 9)
Fig. 7 BALL JOINT PINCH BOLT
1 - UPPER BALL JOINT
2 - PINCH BOLTFig. 8 UPPER CONTROL ARM
1 - BODY MOUNTS
2 - UPPER BALL JOINT
3 - STABILIZER BAR
4 - UPPER CONTROL ARM
5 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
Fig. 9 BALL JOINT BRACKET
1 - UPPER BALL JOINT
2 - SUPPORT BRACKET BOLTS
2 - 20 REARKJ

INSTALLATION
(1) Position the upper suspension arm in the
frame rail brackets (Fig. 8).
(2) Install the mounting bolts and tighten to 100
N´m (74 ft. lbs.).
(3) Retighten the heat shield back into place.
(4) Pull the arm down on the differential housing
bracket and install the pinch bolt and nut. Tighten
the nut to 95 N´m (70 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 7).
(5) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
LOWER CONTROL ARM
DESCRIPTION
The lower suspension arms are stamped steel and
welded and use voided round bushings at the axle
end and solid rubber at the body end of the arm.
OPERATION
The bushings provide isolation from the axle. The
arms mount to the unibody frame rail bracket and
the axle brackets. The arm and bushings provide
location and react to loads.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise the vehicle and support the rear axle.
(2) Remove the stabilizer bar retaining bolts from
the suspension arm.
(3) Remove the lower suspension arm nut and bolt
from the axle bracket (Fig. 10).
NOTE: When removing the right side suspension
arm from the frame rail it will be necessary to pry
the exhaust over slightly to allow enough clearance
to remove the bolt.
(4) Remove the nut and bolt (Fig. 10) from the
frame rail and remove the lower suspension arm.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the lower suspension arm in the axle
bracket and frame rail bracket.NOTE: The end of the arm with the voided round
bushing attaches to the axle bracket.
(2) Install the axle bracket bolt and nut finger
tight (Fig. 10).
NOTE: When installing the right side suspension
arm to the frame rail it will be necessary to pry the
exhaust over slightly to allow enough clearance to
install the bolt.
(3) Install the frame rail bracket bolt and nut fin-
ger tight.
(4) Install the stabilizer bar retaining bolts to the
suspension arm.
(5) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
(6) With the vehicle on the ground tighten the nut
at the frame to 163 N´m (120 ft. lbs.). Tighten the
nut at the axle bracket to 163 N´m (120 ft. lbs.).
Fig. 10 LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
1 - AXLE BRACKET BOLT
2 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
3 - BODY BRACKET BOLT
KJREAR 2 - 21
UPPER CONTROL ARM (Continued)

REAR
SPECIAL TOOLS
REAR SUSPENSION
UPPER BALL JOINT
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Support the rear axle with a hydraulic jack.
(3) Remove the ball joint pinch bolt from the top of
the axle. (Fig. 9)(4) Separate the ball joint arm assembly from the
differential housing by prying upwards.
(5) Remove the upper suspension arm from the
vehicle (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/REAR/UPPER
CONTROL ARM - REMOVAL).
(6) Secure the suspension arm in a vise.
(7) Install special tools C-4212F (press), 8861-3
(driver) and 8861-2 (receiver) (Fig. 10)
(8) Press out the old ball joint.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install special tools C-4212F (press), 8861-1
(receiver) and 8861-2 (driver) with the ball joint in
place (Fig. 11).
BALL JOINT PRESS - C-4212F
REMOVER / INSTALLER REAR UPPER BALL JOINT
- 8861
REMOVAL / INSTALLATION REAR UPPER
CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS - 8860
Fig. 9 BALL JOINT PINCH BOLT
1 - UPPER BALL JOINT
2 - PINCH BOLT
Fig. 10 UPPER BALL JOINT - REMOVAL
1 - C-4212F PRESS
2 - 8861-3 DRIVER
3 - 8861-2 RECEIVER
2s - 6 SUSPENSIONKJ

(2) Press the ball joint in the upper suspension
arm.
(3) Remove the upper suspension arm from the
vise.
(4) Reinstall the upper suspension arm (Refer to 2
- SUSPENSION/REAR/UPPER CONTROL ARM -
INSTALLATION).
(5) Raise the rear axle with a hydraulic jack to
align the ball joint with the differential housing
bracket.
(6) Insert the ball joint into the differential hous-
ing bracket.
(7) Install the ball joint pinch bolt and tighten to
95 N´m (70 ft. lbs.). (Fig. 9).
(8) Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
BUSHINGS
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
BUSHING
(1) Remove the lower suspension arm (Refer to 2 -
SUSPENSION/REAR/LOWER CONTROL ARM -
REMOVAL).
(2) Secure the suspension arm in a vise.
NOTE: Extreme pressure lubrication must be used
on the threaded portions of the tool. This will
increase the longevity of the tool and insure proper
operation during the removal and installation pro-
cess.(3) Install special tools 8862-4 (receiver), 8862-5
(spacer) and 8862-1 or 8862- 2 (driver) with the
threaded rod 8839 and the bearing as shown (Fig. 12)
(4) Press out the bushing.
REMOVAL - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM
BUSHING
(1) Remove the upper suspension arm (Refer to 2 -
SUSPENSION/REAR/UPPER CONTROL ARM -
REMOVAL).
(2) Secure the suspension arm in a vise.
NOTE: Extreme pressure lubrication must be used
on the threaded portions of the tool. This will
increase the longevity of the tool and insure proper
operation during the removal and installation pro-
cess.
(3) Install special tools 8853-3 (driver), 8860-1
(receiver) and with the threaded rod 8838 and the
bearing as shown (Fig. 13)
(4) Press out the bushing.
Fig. 11 UPPER BALL JOINT - INSTALLATION
1 - C-4212F PRESS
2 - 8861-1 RECEIVER
3 - 8861-2 DRIVER
Fig. 12 LOWER SUSPENSION ARM BUSHING
REMOVAL
1 - 8839 THREADED ROD
2 - 8862-4 RECEIVER
3 - 8862-5 SPACER
4 - 8862-1 OR 8862-2 DRIVERS
KJSUSPENSION 2s - 7
UPPER BALL JOINT (Continued)