Trailing Link: Installation

CAUTION: The inner and outer trailing link to hanger bracket bushings and retainers must be installed in their correct position on the trailing link. Do not reverse the position of the inner and outer trailing link bushing or retainers on the trailing link.

NOTE: When installing trailing link into hanger bracket, the flat on the trailing link must be positioned at the hanger bracket. See Figure.

Install the (black) inner bushing retainer, and inner bushing on the trailing link. See Fig 1. Install the trailing link, retainer and bushing on the hanger bracket. See Fig 1. Then install the outer bushing, (gold) outer bushing retainer and nut on the trailing link. Using a wrench on the flat of the trailing link to keep it from rotating, tighten the trailing link retaining nut to 95 N.m (70 ft. lbs.). See Fig 1.

Fig 1: Trailing Link Bushing Installation

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - INNER TRAILING LINK BUSHING

2 - TRAILING LINK

3 - INNER TRAILING LINK BUSHING

4 - TRAILING LINK INNER BUSHING RETAINER (BLACK)

5 - INNER BUSHING RETAINER (BLACK)

6 - TRAILING LINK HANGER BRACKET

7 - OUTER TRAILING LINK BUSHING

8 - NUT

9 - OUTER BUSHING RETAINER (GOLD)

Install the (black) inner bushing retainer, and inner bushing on the trailing link. See Fig 1.
Install knuckle end of trailing link in rear knuckle.
CAUTION: It is important that the following procedure be done when installing the trailing arm hanger bracket to the body of the vehicle. This procedure will ensure that the hanger bracket is installed in the correct position on the vehicle.

Install the trailing link hanger bracket on the vehicle and loosely install the four attaching bolts. See Fig 2. Then install two drift pins of appropriate size in positioning holes on hanger bracket and into locating holes in body. See Fig 2. With hanger bracket correctly positioned on vehicle, tighten the four hanger bracket mounting bolts to 29 N.m (21 ft. lbs.). Remove the drift pins.

Fig 2: Trailing Link Hanger Bracket Installation

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - HANGER BRACKET

2 - TRAILING LINK

3 - LOCATING DRIFT PINS

4 - ATTACHING BOLTS 4

CAUTION: When installing trailing link bushing retainers, the retainers must be installed with cupped side of retainer facing away from bushing and knuckle. See Figure.

At the knuckle, install the outer trailing link bushing, (gold) outer bushing retainer and retaining nut on trailing link. See Figure. Using a wrench on the flat of the trailing link to keep it from rotating, tighten the trailing link retaining nut to 95 N.m (70 ft. lbs.).
Lower the vehicle.
Check and reset rear wheel alignment to specifications as necessary. (Refer to SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE)