SUSPENSION - REAR

1996 Chevrolet Cavalier

1996 SUSPENSION
Rear - General Motors Corp.

Chevrolet; Cavalier
Pontiac; Sunfire

DESCRIPTION
Suspension consists of an axle assembly with trailing arms
and coil-over shock absorbers. See Fig. 1. Axle assembly pivots on
rubber control arm bushings. Hub and bearing assembly is a sealed unit
and cannot be serviced. The stabilizer shaft is attached to the inside
of the axle beam.

Fig. 1: Identifying Rear Suspension Assembly

Courtesy of General Motors Corp.

ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION

 WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES
NOTE: See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in
WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.

WHEEL BEARINGS
NOTE: Hub and bearing assemblies are pre-adjusted and
pre-lubricated, and require no routine maintenance or
adjustment. If faulty, replace as a complete assembly.

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove brake drum.

Mount dial indicator so stem rests against hub. Push hub inward.
Adjust indicator to zero. Pull hub outward. Note dial indicator
reading. Replace hub and bearing assembly if movement exceeds .005" (.
13 mm).

RIDING HEIGHT
NOTE: For normal riding height specifications, refer to
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article
in WHEEL ALIGNMENT section.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

CAUTION: Replace only one shock absorber at a time. If rear axle
assembly is allowed to hang at full length, brakelines and
hoses will be damaged. Before disconnecting shock absorber
from lower mount, support rear axle assembly.

COIL-OVER SHOCK ABSORBERS

Removal
Open deck lid. Remove upper shock absorber attaching nut.
Raise and support vehicle by body. Support axle assembly with
adjustable jack stands. Remove shock absorber upper mounting bolts.
Remove shock absorber lower mount bolt. Remove shock absorber. Remove
lower coil-over shock absorber adapter bracket (if necessary).

Disassembly
Mount coil-over shock absorber into Strut Compressor (J-
34013) using Adapter Plate (J-41046). Compress spring to 1/2 its
height. DO NOT bottom spring or damper rod. Release spring compressor,
remove spring and insulators.

Reassembly
1) Place bearing cap into spring compressor (if removed).
Mount shock absorber into strut compressor using bottom lock pin only.
Install spring and insulators, ensure spring seats are facing proper
locations.
2) Upper and lower spring seat end should be located next to
the notch or step in the seats. Swing assembly up, install upper lock
pin and compress spring until damper shaft threads are visable.
Install nut and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Before tightening
upper nuts, fully lower vehicle to ground (load suspension). Tighten
fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

NOTE: Ensure vehicle is at normal riding height before tightening

 shock absorber lower mounting bolts. See RIDING HEIGHT under
ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION.

CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS

WARNING: When removing and installing control arm bushings, DO NOT
lift vehicle with a twin post hoist. When certain fasteners
are removed, swing arc tendency of axle assembly may cause
vehicle to slip from hoist. Instead, lift vehicle by body.
Also, replace one control arm bushing at a time.

Removal
1) Raise and support vehicle by body. Support axle assembly.
Remove wheels. If removing right bushing, disconnect brakelines from
body. If removing left bushing, disconnect brakeline bracket from body
and parking brake cable from hook guide on body. Replace one control
arm bushing at a time.
2) Remove bolt securing control arm to body, noting direction
of bolt for installation. Rotate control arm downward. Replace bushing
using Control Arm Bushing Kit (J-29376-A) and Bolt/Nut (J-21474-18 & -
19). See Fig. 2. If tangs on remover do not engage bushing, use a
hacksaw to cut a slot in the bushing end.

Installation
1) Install bushing. See Fig. 2. Bushing is correctly located
when bushing end flange is even with control arm surface. Rotate
control arm upward until mounting bolts can be installed. Bolts must
be installed from inboard side of control arm (nut must face outboard
side). DO NOT tighten bolts yet.
2) Install brakelines and parking brake cable. Adjust parking
brake cable. Install wheels. Position vehicle at normal riding height.
See RIDING HEIGHT under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Tighten bolts
securing control arm to body to specification. See
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

Fig. 2: Replacing Control Arm Bushing

Courtesy of General Motors Corp.

AXLE ASSEMBLY
WARNING: When removing rear axle, DO NOT use a twin post type hoist.
Swing arc tendency of axle assembly, caused when certain
fasteners are removed, may cause vehicle to slip from hoist
which may cause personal injury.

Removal
1) Raise and support vehicle by body. Support axle assembly
with jack stands. Remove wheels and brake drums. Disconnect brakeline
at bracket on axle assembly. Remove lower mount bolts and disconnect
shock absorbers from axle assembly.
2) Lower axle assembly and disconnect parking brake cable at
equalizer and right wheel. Disconnect rear wheel speed sensor harness
connector near fuel tank. Disconnect right and left brakelines. Remove
control arm nuts and bolts. Remove axle assembly.

Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. DO NOT fully tighten
shock absorber lower mount bolts or control arm bushing bolts until
vehicle is at normal riding height. See RIDING HEIGHT under
ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Tighten fasteners to specification. See
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. Adjust brakes and parking brake cable. Bleed
brake system. Test drive vehicle.

HUB & BEARING ASSEMBLY

CAUTION: Hub and bearing assembly bolts also secure brake backing
plate. Support brake backing plate before removing hub and
bearing assembly bolts.

Removal & Installation

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel and brake drum.
Support brake backing plate. Remove hub and bearing assembly bolts.
Top rear bolt will not clear brake shoe, remove last/install first.
Disconnect wheel speed sensor connector (if equipped). Remove hub and
bearing assembly. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten
fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS TABLE




























































Application Ft. Lbs. (N.m)

Control Arm-To-Underbody Nut

Step 1 .........................................
 52 (71)
Step 2 ...................... Additional 120 (1/3 Turn)
Hub & Bearing Assembly Nut ....................... 44 (60)
Shock Absorber Adapter Nut ....................... 52 (71)
Shock Absorber Lower Mount Bolt ................ 125 (170)
Shock Absorber Mount-To-Body Bolt ................ 21 (28)
Shock Absorber Mount-To-Shock Nut ................ 15 (20)
Shock Absorber Upper Mounting Nut ................ 21 (28)
Wheel Lug Nut .................................. 100 (136)