Removal
Raise the rear of the vehicle and secure it on stands. Place a jack under the rear axle and raise it enough to support the weight of the rear axle. Unscrew the lower bolt securing the rear shock absorber to the rear axle. Unscrew the nuts from the U-shaped brackets securing the spring to the rear axle, remove the spring mounting plate and stop. Unscrew the nut and remove the bolt securing the rear leaf spring (see Fig. 10.36).
Remove the nut and bolt securing the front leaf spring. Lower the rear axle and remove the leaf springs from underneath the vehicle.
Examination
Check the leaf springs for wear, deformation and cracks. Check the leaf spring mounting bushings. If they are worn, they must be pressed out and new ones installed using a press.
If the spring earring wears out, it can be replaced separately from the spring.
Installation
Place the spring in the installation position. Install the front spring mounting bolt in place and tighten the nut by hand.
Replace the rear spring mounting bolt and tighten the mounting nut by hand.
Install the plate and stop on the top of the spring along the axis, then the U-shaped brackets and secure them with nuts.
Connect the shock absorber to the rear axle. Tighten the bolts and nuts to the specified torque.
Install the wheel and lower the vehicle.