SECTION 204-02: Rear Suspension
2014 Flex Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Procedure revision date: 05/02/2013

Lower Arm

NOTE: Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicle shown, All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle similar.


Item Part Number Description
1 W520213 Stabilizer bar link upper nuts (2 required)
2 5560 Spring
3 W715127 Lower arm-to-subframe bolt
4 5B530 Lower arm
5 W520517 Lower arm-to-knuckle nut
6 W715127 Lower arm-to-knuckle bolt
7 5599 Spring lower seat

Removal

NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital components and systems and their failure may result in major service expense. New parts must be installed with the same part numbers or equivalent part, if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

  1. Measure the distance from the center of the wheel hub to the lip of the fender with the vehicle in a level, static ground position (curb height).
  1. Remove the wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to Section 204-04 .

  1. NOTE: Use the hex-holding feature to prevent the stabilizer bar link stud from turning while removing the nut.

    Remove both stabilizer bar link upper nuts and disconnect the links from the wheel knuckle.
  1. Position a screw-type jackstand under the lower arm.
  1. Remove and discard the lower arm-to-knuckle bolt and nut.

  1. NOTE: Do not remove the lower arm inner bolt at this time.

    Loosen the lower arm inner bolt.
  1. Lower the jackstand and remove the spring.
  1. Remove the lower arm inner bolt and lower arm.

Installation

NOTE: Before tightening the lower arm bolts, use a jackstand to raise the rear suspension until the distance between the center of the hub and the lip of the fender is equal to the measurement taken in the Removal procedure (curb height).

  1. Position the lower arm and loosely install the new lower arm inner bolt.

  1. NOTE: Make sure the lower spring seat is properly positioned in the lower arm.

    Install the spring and position the screw-type jackstand under the lower arm.

  1. NOTE: Do not tighten the lower arm nut at this time.

    Raise the jackstand and loosely install the new lower arm-to-knuckle bolt and nut.
  1. Using the jackstand, raise the rear suspension until the distance between the center of the hub and the lip of the fender is equal to the measurement taken in the Removal procedure (curb height).
  1. Tighten the lower arm-to-subframe bolt to 215 Nm (159 lb-ft).
  1. Tighten the lower arm-to-knuckle bolt to 265 Nm (196 lb-ft).

  1. NOTE: Use the hex-holding feature to prevent the stabilizer bar link stud from turning while removing the nut.

    Position the stabilizer bar links and install 2 new stabilizer bar link upper nuts.