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Axle Pivot Bushing: Installation

NOTE: To ease and attain proper installation of the bushing using Special Tool 8405, use Mopar(R) Rubber Bushing Installation Lube as indicated in the following step.
  1. Apply Mopar(R) Rubber Bushing Installation Lube to the outside edges of the NEW bushing. Also, lubricate the inside of the Installer, Special Tool 8405-2 with the special lube.
  2. Place the stepped end of the Installer on the end of the trailing arm bushing sleeve that has the curved flange at the arm (Fig 1 ).
    Fig 1: Installing Axle Pivot Bushing
    G02664436Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
  3. Place the lubricated bushing inside the large opening in the Installer.
  4. Place the Press, Special Tool C-4212F, with Receiver, Special Tool 8405-1, installed, over the arm, Installer and bushing as shown (Fig 1 ). When properly installed, the screw drive on the special tool will be toward the center of the vehicle. Note the curve on the axle trailing arm. This curve prevents the tool from being properly installed in the opposite direction.
  5. Tighten the screw drive, pressing the bushing into the trailing arm sleeve. Do not over-install the bushing; the bushing can be pushed out the other side, into the Receiver. Push the bushing in until freed from the installer and centered in the trailing arm sleeve. The outer lips of the bushing must hang out past the end of the sleeve on each side of the trailing arm.
  6. Remove the tools from the trailing arm.
  7. If the opposite side bushing needs to be installed, repeat Step 1 through Step 6 on the opposite side.
  8. Install the trailing arm forward bracket(s) on the axle using the following way:
    1. From above the axle, place the bracket down over the axle trailing arm bushing aligning the hole in the bracket with the center hole in the bushing (Figure ).
    2. From the outboard side of the axle and bracket, push the thru-bolt through the bracket and bushing. The trailing arm bracket thru-bolts must be installed from the outside, in toward the center of the axle assembly, otherwise the bolt threaded ends will come in contact with the body of the vehicle upon axle installation on vehicle. 
    3. Install the nut on the inboard end of the nut. Tighten the nut until the bracket has resistance when turned, but still moves independent of the axle bushing. It must be fully tightened later, once the vehicle is at curb height.
  9. Remove the wood block between the arm and body of the vehicle.
  10. Swing the trailing arms up aligning the brackets with the scribed marks made upon removal (Figure ), then install all eight mounting bolts (four per side). Thread the bolts in, but do not fully tighten.
  11. Tap the axle trailing arm brackets as necessary to align the brackets to the scribed marks, then tighten the bolts to a torque of 54 N.m (40 ft. lbs.).
  12. Remove the jack.
    13. CAUTION: When installing the watts links and bell crank to the axle, make sure the bell crank is right-side-up. When mounted properly, the words "BACK UP" should be able to be read from the rear over the top of the axle (Figure ).
  13. Install the bolt from the front securing the watts link bell crank to the center of the axle (Figure ). Place the washer and nut on the end of the mounting bolt and tighten it to a torque of 149 N.m (110 ft. lbs.).
  14. Move the parking brake cables to their original mounting position below the axle pivot bushing on the inboard side of the trailing arm.
  15. Align the cable routing brackets with their mounts on the trailing arm. Install the two bolts securing the cable and routing brackets to the trailing arm (Figure ). Install and tighten the mounting bolts to a torque of 11 N.m (100 in. lbs.).
  16. Make sure the parking brake cable and grommet is still in the proper position at the body access hole.
  17. Install the bolts securing the brake flex hoses (and wheel speed sensor cable on ABS models) to the vehicle body immediately behind the axle trailing arm forward brackets.
  18. Install the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Tighten all wheel nuts to a torque of 135 N.m (100 ft. lbs.).
  19. Lower the vehicle.
  20. Place the vehicle on an alignment rack or drive-on hoist.
  21. With the vehicle at curb height, tighten both trailing arm to mounting bracket pivot thru-bolts to a torque of 122 N.m (90 ft. lbs.).
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