REAR SUSPENSION

Introduction

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REAR SUSPENSION 929

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Rear suspension−Ranger (top); Explorer & Mountaineer (bottom)
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Leaf Springs

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

930 Introduction
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Exploded view of the Ranger U−bolt and spring plate assembly−Explorer/Mountaineer similar
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Exploded view of the spring−to−rear shackle assembly

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REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 931

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View of the spring−to−front bracket mounting
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WARNING
If equipped, always turn off the Automatic Ride Control (ARC) service switch before lifting the vehicle off of
the ground. Failure to do so could damage the ARC system components. Refer to Section 1 for jacking
procedures.

1. Raise the vehicle and install jackstands under the frame. The vehicle must be supported in such a way
that the rear axle hangs free with the tires still touching the ground.
2. Remove the nuts from the spring U−bolts and drive the U−bolts from the U−bolt plate.
3. Remove the spring to bracket nut and bolt at the front of the spring.
4. Remove the shackle upper and lower nuts and bolts at the rear of the spring.
5. Remove the spring and shackle assembly from the rear shackle bracket.

To install:

6. Position the spring in the shackle. Install the upper shackle spring bolt and nut with the bolt head
facing outward.
7. Position the front end of the spring in the bracket and install the bolt and nut.
8. Position the shackle in the rear bracket and install the nut and bolt.
9. Position the spring on top of the axle with the spring tie bolt centered in the hole provided in the seat.
10. Lower the vehicle to the floor. Torque the spring U−bolt nuts to 65−75 ft. lbs. Torque the front spring
bolt to 75−115 ft. lbs. Torque the rear shackle nuts and bolts to 75−115 ft. lbs.

Shock Absorbers

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

932 Shock Absorbers

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Without Automatic Ride Control (ARC)

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Rear shock absorber and related parts−Ranger
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REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 933

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Explorer & Mountaineer rear shock absorber

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1. Raise the vehicle and position jackstands under the axle or wheel, in order to take the load off of the
shock absorber.
2. Remove the shock absorber lower retaining nut and bolt. Swing the lower end free of the mounting
bracket on the axle housing.
3. Remove the retaining nut(s) from the upper shock absorber mounting.
4. Remove the shock absorber from the vehicle.
5. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure. Torque the lower shock absorber retaining bolt to
39−53 ft. lbs.
6. On the Ranger torque the upper shock absorber mounting nut to 39−53 ft. lbs. On the
Explorer/Mountaineer torque the upper shock absorber retaining nuts to 15−21 ft. lbs.

934 REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

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To remove the rear shock absorber, first unbolt the lower shock mounting from the drive axle ...

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... then pull the lower shock mount from its bracket

Finally, unbolt the upper shock mount and remove the shock from the vehicle
With Automatic Ride Control (ARC)

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION 935

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Assembled view of the ARC suspension rear shock absorber
WARNING
If equipped, always turn off the Automatic Ride Control (ARC) service switch before lifting the vehicle off of
the ground. Failure to do so could damage the ARC system components. Refer to Section 1 for jacking
procedures.

1. Place the vehicle in two wheel drive.

2. Turn off the ARC control service switch.
3. Raise the rear of the vehicle and place the jackstands under the rear axle assembly.
4. Pry the rear shock absorber electrical connector retainer from the cross member then disconnect the
plug.
5. Disconnect the air line at the shock absorber by pushing in and holding the plastic ring while firmly
pulling outward on the air line.
6. Remove the lower shock absorber mounting nut and bolt assembly and swing the shock out of the
bracket.
7. Remove the two upper shock attaching nuts from the top of the crossmember then remove the shock.
8. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure. Tighten the upper attaching nuts to 15−21 ft. lbs.
(21−29 Nm) and the lower attaching bolt to 39−53 ft. lbs. (53−72 Nm).

TESTING

1. Visually check the shock absorbers for the presence of fluid leakage. A thin film of fluid is
acceptable. Anything more than that means that the shock absorber must be replaced.
2. Disconnect the lower end of the shock absorber. Compress and extend the shock fully as fast as
possible. If the action is not smooth in both directions, or there is no pressure resistance, replace the
shock absorber. Shock absorbers should be replaced in pairs. In the case of relatively new shock
absorbers, where one has failed, that one, alone, may be replaced.

936 TESTING
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Stabilizer Bar

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

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Common rear stabilizer bar mounting−Ranger shown, other models are similar
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WARNING
If equipped, always turn off the Automatic Ride Control (ARC) service switch before lifting the vehicle off of
the ground. Failure to do so could damage the ARC system components. Refer to Section 1 for jacking
procedures.

1. As required, raise and support the vehicle.

Stabilizer Bar 937

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2. Remove the nuts, bolts and washers and disconnect the stabilizer bar from the links.
3. Remove the U−bolts and nuts from the mounting bracket and retainers. Remove the mounting
brackets, retainers and stabilizer bars.

To install:

4. Position the U−bolts and mounting brackets on the axle with the brackets having the UPmarking in
the proper position.
5. Install the stabilizer bar and retainers on the mounting brackets with the retainers having the
UPmarking in the proper position.
6. Connect the stabilizer bar to the rear links. Install the nuts, bolts, and washers and tighten.
7. Tighten the mounting bracket U−bolt nuts to 30−42 ft. lbs.

Chilton® Automotive Information Systems. © 2004 Thomson Delmar Learning.

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938 REMOVAL & INSTALLATION