Tools Required

J 39549 Ball Joint/Tie Rod Separator

1. If servicing the driver side shock absorber, perform the following:

1.1.	Remove the brake master cylinder nuts.

1.2.	Gently move the brake master cylinder to one side.

2. Remove the shock absorber upper mounting bolts (18) and nuts (17).
3. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
4. Remove the tire and the wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
5. Remove the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
6. Remove the shock absorber lower bolts (11) and nuts (3).
7. Remove and discard the lower control arm cotter pin (7).
8. Remove the lower control arm nut (8).
9. Using J 39549 separate the lower ball joint (10) from the steering knuckle (6).
10. Remove the lower control arm (12) and lower ball joint (10) from the steering knuckle (6).

Important: Use chalk or paint in order to mark (do not scribe) the lower mount location relative to the upper mount location before removing the shock absorber.

11. Remove the shock absorber (13) and the spring (14) from the vehicle.

Tools Required

1. Install J 34013-114 and J 34013-B .



2. Use wing nuts in order to secure the tool to the following mounting holes:

•	For the driver-side shock absorber

-	C-H (lower left corner)

-	P (upper right corner)

•	For the passenger-side shock absorber

-	A-X-P (upper left corner)

-	C-H (lower right corner)





Important: Align J 34013-114 and J 34013-88 so that these tools may open and close together. If J 34013-114 and J 34013-88 do not align properly, the tools will not open.

3. Install J 34013-114 and J 34013-88




Important: Align the top of the shock absorber flat against J 34013-114 .

4. Install the driver side shock absorber to the top of J 34013-114 .



5. Install the passenger side shock absorber to the top of J 34013-114 .



6. Install the shock absorber (1) into J 34013-114 and J 34013-88 .
7. Close J 34013-114 and J 34013-88 and install the locking pin.

Important: If the mounting ears of the shock absorber are not facing downward, toward the rear of J 34013-B , the shock absorber will not align properly.

8. Turn the screw on J 34013-B counterclockwise in order to raise the shock absorber up to J 34013-114 . Align the top of the shock absorber flat against the tool with the studs going through the guide holes in J 34013-114 .

Caution: Do not over compress the spring. Severe overloading may cause tool failure which could result in bodily injury.

9. Compress the front spring approximately 13 mm (0.50 in), or 3-4 complete turns of the screw on J 34013-114 .
10. Insert J 39642 -1 on the shock absorber nut, then insert J 39642 -2 through J 39642 -1 in order to hold the shock absorber rod in place.
11. Remove the shock absorber nut with J 39642 -1 while holding the shock absorber rod from rotating with J 39642 -2.
12. Discard the shock absorber nut.
13. Turn J 34013-B clockwise in order to fully relieve spring pressure.

Tools Required

1. Install J 34013-114 to J 34013-B .



2. Use wing nuts in order to secure the tool to the following mounting holes:

•	For the driver-side shock absorber

-	C-H (lower left corner)

-	P (upper right corner)

•	For the passenger-side shock absorber

-	A-X-P (upper left corner)

-	C-H (lower right corner)

3. Install J 34013-114 and J 34013-88 .



4. Install the shock absorber (1) to J 34013-114 and J 34013-88 .

Important: 

•	Face the mounting ears of the shock absorber downward, toward the rear of J 34013-B or the shock absorber will not align properly.

•	Before removing the shock absorber, use chalk or paint in order to mark the lower mount location relative to the upper mount location, or you will not be able to properly reinstall the shock absorber. Do NOT scribe.

5. Close J 34013-114 and J 34013-88 and engage the locking pin.
6. Position the upper and lower spring seats correctly.

Important: Align the top of the shock absorber flat against J 34013-114 .

7. Install the shock absorber to the top of J 34013-114 .

Important: Only turn the screw until the shock absorber secures itself in J 34013-B . Do not load the spring.

8. Turn the screw on J 34013-B counterclockwise in order to raise the shock absorber up to J 34013-114 without compressing the spring.

Important: Ensure that J 34013-115 is straight with the shock absorber. If J 34013-115 is angled, repeat steps 1 through 5 until the tool is straight.

9. Place J 34013-115 down through the top of J 34013-B through the top of the shock absorber and onto the top of the shock absorber rod.

Caution: Do not over compress the spring. Severe overloading may cause tool failure which could result in bodily injury.

10. Turn the operating screw clockwise in order to compress the spring until the threaded portion of the shock absorber rod is through the top of the shock absorber.
11. Remove J 34013-115 .

Important: Always use a new shock absorber nut. Never reinstall the original nut.

12. Insert the new shock absorber nut on the shock absorber rod.
13. Place J 39642 -1 on the shock absorber nut.

Notice: Turning the shock absorber while tightening the nut may damage the shock absorber. In order to prevent damage, keep the shock absorber in a stationary position while tightening the nut.

14. Insert J 39642 -2 through J 39642 -1 and tighten the shock absorber nut.
15. Tighten the shock absorber nut while holding onto J 39642 -2.
16. Remove the shock absorber from J 34013-B .

1. Align and install the shock absorber (13) and spring (14) to the lower control arm (12).

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

2. Install the shock absorber lower bolts (11) and nuts (3).

Tighten
Tighten the shock absorber lower bolts (11) or nuts (3) to 65 N·m (48 lb ft).

3. Align and Install the lower ball joint (10) and control arm (12) to the steering knuckle (6).
4. Install the lower control arm nut (8).

Tighten
Tighten the lower control arm nut (8) to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).

Important: Never loosen the control arm nut in order to align the cotter pin slot, it is permissible to over torque the control arm nut 1/6 of a turn MAX.

5. Install a new lower control arm cotter pin (7).
6. Install the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
7. Install the tire and the wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
8. Lower the vehicle.
9. Install the shock absorber upper mounting bolts (18) and nuts (17).

Tighten

•	Tighten the shock absorber upper mounting nuts (17) to 41 N·m (30 lb ft).

•	Tighten the shock absorber upper mounting bolts (18) to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

10. If servicing the driver side shock absorber, perform the following:

10.1.

Gently, reposition the brake master cylinder into position.

10.2.

Install the brake master cylinder nuts.

Tighten
Tighten the brake master cylinder nuts to 29 N·m (21 lb ft).