Removal and installation of a rear suspension element

SHOCK ABSORBER

REMOVAL

In the luggage compartment

• Open the left-hand side storage compartment or the right-hand load-floor trim, depending on the shock absorber to be removed.
• Remove the nut (1) (Fig.22).

Fig. 22

• Remove the washer (2) and the rubber mount (3).

Under the vehicle

• Raise and support the vehicle, rear wheels hanging free.
• Remove the rear wheel on the relevant side.
• Remove the nut (4), then the bolt (5) (Fig.23).
• Compress the shock absorber (6) in order to remove it.

INSTALLATION

Refit in the reverse order of removal, observing the following points:

• replace the nuts (1) and (4),
• observe the specified tightening torques.

Fig. 23

SPRINGS

REMOVAL

• Raise and support the vehicle, rear wheels hanging free.
• Remove the rear wheel on the relevant side.
• Fit a spring compressor.
• Compress the spring until it can be removed.
• Remove the suspension springs.

INSTALLATION

Carry out the removal steps in reverse order, observing the spring fitting direction.

STABILIZER BAR

REMOVAL

• Under the vehicle, remove the right-hand rear undertray as well as the rear axle guard.
• On each side, remove (Fig.24):

• the attachment (1) of the anti-roll bar link (2) to the rear axle,
• the mounting bolts (3) of the bracket (4).

• Remove the anti-roll bar (5).

Fig. 24

INSTALLATION

Carry out the removal steps in reverse order, observing the specified tightening torques.

REAR AXLE

REMOVAL

• Raise and support the vehicle on a two-post lift.
• Remove the rear wheels.
• On each side:

• disconnect the connector (1) of the speed sensor at the wheel arch (Fig.25),
• remove the springs (see relevant operation).

Fig. 25

• Loosen the lock nut (2) of the parking brake adjustment (Fig.26) until the cables (3) and (4) can be unhooked.
• On each side:

• without opening the brake circuit, remove the brake calipers and hang them from the body (see operation in the 'BRAKES' chapter),
• remove the anti-roll bar links (5) from the rear axle (Fig.27).

• Remove the rear axle guard, then place a support device under the rear axle in its place.
• Remove (Fig.28):

• the coupling mount (6) of the rear axle,
• the shock absorbers (7) of the rear axle on each side,
• remove the bolt (8) and the plate (9).

Fig. 26

Fig. 27

Fig. 28

• Slowly lower the rear axle.

INSTALLATION

• Inspect the centre bearing (10) and replace it if necessary.
• Check the length of the bolt (8).

Original bolt: M16 x 1.5 x 180.

Repair bolt: M16 x 1.5 x 225 and cage nut.

• If the original bolt (8) is reused:

• screw an M16 x 1.5 tap in place of the bolt (8),

Do not exceed a torque of approx. 5 N.m; fit a repair bolt if the torque is exceeded or if swarf is formed.

• position the rear axle,
• replace the bolt (8) and then tighten it,

Caution:

Do not use an impact wrench.

• refit the shock absorbers,
• refit the coupling mount (6) of the rear axle,
• continue refitting in the reverse order of removal.

• If a repair bolt is used (Fig.29):

The repair bolt must be fitted from the passenger compartment, and the original cage nut must be replaced.

• remove the rear seat,
• set the carpet aside and remove the access cover,
• mark the recess (11) in the rear floor (12), then cut it out,

Fig. 29

1. 1
   10 mm
2. 2
   58 mm
3. 3
   42 mm
4. 4
   24 mm.

• using a Ø 17 mm drill, drill out the damaged thread of the centre bearing and clean the hole,
• apply anti-corrosion protection,
• clean the bearing surfaces of the bracket (13) on the bearing side and on the bolt side,
• position the rear axle,
• centre the bearing body in the body and press it against it,
• insert the repair bolt (14) from above,
• position the washer (15) and then the nut (16),
• tighten the nut (16),

Do not use an impact wrench.

• refit the shock absorbers,
• refit the coupling mount (6) of the rear axle,
• continue refitting in the reverse order of removal.

HUB

REMOVAL

• Remove the brake disc (see operation in the 'BRAKES' chapter).
• Remove the speed sensor (1) from the rear hub (Fig.30).
• Remove the bolts (2), then the rear hub.

Fig. 30

INSTALLATION

Carry out the removal steps in reverse order, replacing the speed sensor bolt and the rear hub bolts.

Suspension - Rear axle

1. 1
   Rear axle
2. 2
   Guards
3. 3
   Clip
4. 4
   Hub
5. 5
   Cover
6. 6
   Hub bolts (replace):

• 1st stage: 8 daN·m
• 2nd stage: loosen.
• 3rd stage: 12 daN·m

1. 1
   Stabiliser bar
2. 2
   Bearing
3. 3
   Bracket
4. 4
   Bolt (replace): 2.8 daN·m
5. 5
   Stabiliser bar link
6. 6
   Nut (replace): 4 daN·m
7. 7
   Spring
8. 8
   Strut mounts
9. 9
   Shock absorber
10. 10
    Nut (replace): 5 daN·m
11. 11
    Strut bearing
12. 12
    Washer
13. 13
    Nut: 2 daN·m
14. 14
    Centre bearing
15. 15
    Thrust plate
16. 16
    Strut bearing
17. 17
    Original centre bearing bolt (replace):

• 1st stage: 20 daN·m
• 2nd stage: loosen.
• 3rd stage: 22 daN·m
• 4th stage: 90°.
• Check torque: 23 daN·m

1. 1
   Radius arm
2. 2
   Radius arm nut on rear axle: 8 daN·m
3. 3
   Coupling bearing
4. 4
   Rear axle coupling bearing to body bolt (replace):

• 1st stage: 6 daN·m
• 2nd stage: loosen.
• 3rd stage: 8 daN·m

28. Tie rod nut on coupling bearing:

• 1st stage: 4 daN·m
• 2nd stage: loosen.
• 3rd stage: 3 daN·m
• 4th stage: 80°.