Rear Suspension - Jeep Wrangler 1997 Manual

2 - 1 2 SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
REAR SUSPENSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
SHOCK DIAGNOSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
COIL SPRING . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
. .
. . . . . .
.
. . .
13
LOWER SUSPENSION ARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
REAR SUSPENSION
The rear suspension is link/coil design comprised
of-
" Dual-action shock absorbers
" Coil springs
" Upper and lower suspension arms
" Stabilizer bar
" Track bar
Shock Absorbers: The shock absorbers dampen
jounce and rebound of the vehicle over various road
conditions . The top of the shock absorbers are bolted
to the frame . The bottom of the shocks are bolted to
axle brackets .
Coil Springs: The coil springs control ride quality
and maintain proper ride height . The springs mount
between the bottom of the frame rail and the rear
axle .
Upper And Lower Suspension : The suspension
arms use bushings to isolate road noise. The suspen-
sion arms are bolted to the frame and axle through
the rubber bushings . The upper suspension arm has
provision for the use of cam bolts at the axle to allow
for pinion angle or thrust angle adjustment . The
cams are available as a service kit and are not
installed at the factory. The suspension arm travel is
limited through the of use jounce bumpers in com-
pression and shock absorbers in rebound.
Stabilizer Bar: The stabilizer bar is used to con-
trol vehicle body roll during turns. The spring steel
bar helps to equalize the vehicle body in relationship
to the suspension . The bar extends across the under-
side of the chassis and mounts to the rear axle . Links
are connected from the bar to frame brackets . The
bar is isolated by rubber bushings .
Track Bar: The track bar is sed to control rear
axle lateral movement . The track bar is attached to a
frame rail bracket and an axle bracket . It is isolated
with bushings at both ends .
I
REAR SUSPENSION
page
INDEX
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
SHOCK ABSORBER
TJ
page
SHOCK ABSORBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
STABILIZER BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
TRACK BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
UPPER SUSPENSION ARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE CHART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
CAUTION : Suspension components that use rubber
bushings should be tightened with the vehicle at
normal ride height . This will prevent premature fail-
ure of the bushing and maintain ride comfort . Rub-
ber bushings must never be lubricated .
SHOCK DIAGNOSIS
A noise from a shock absorber may be caused by
movement between mounting bushings and metal
brackets or attaching components . This noise can
usually be stopped by tightening the attaching nuts .
If the noise persists, inspect for damaged and worn
bushings, and attaching components . Repair as nec-
essary if any of these conditions exist.
The shock absorbers are not refillable or adjust-
able . If a malfunction occurs, the shock absorber
must be replaced . To test a shock absorber, hold it in
an upright position and force the piston in and out of
the cylinder four or five times. The action throughout
each stroke should be smooth and even .
The shock absorber bushings do not require any
type of lubrication. Do not attempt to stop bushing
noise by lubricating them. Grease and mineral oil-
base lubricants will deteriorate the bushing rubber.
REMOVAL
(1)
Raise and support the vehicle and the axle .
(2) Remove the upper mounting bolts (Fig. 1) .
(3) Remove the lower nut and bolt from the axle
bracket. Remove the shock absorber .