Note. Trailing arm bushings should always be replaced in pairs, i.e. on both sides of the car.
The trailing arm bushings can be removed without removing the torsion bar/trailing arm assembly from the vehicle as follows.
Place chocks under the front wheels, then jack up the rear of the vehicle and securely support it on stands under the axle. Remove rear running wheels.
On models with manual rear suspension leveling, depressurize the system by releasing the air through the valve in the luggage compartment.
On station wagon and van models, disconnect the brake pressure control valve spring from the bracket on the torsion beam.
Wring out clips of flexible hoses and the back ends of rigid brake tubes from a bottom of a body of the car. Also, disconnect the handbrake cables and the ABS sensor wire.
Place a jack under the center section of the torsion beam with wooden blocks underneath.
Loosen and remove the nuts and bolts securing the trailing arms to the bottom of the body.
Carefully lower the jack until the trailing arm bushings are accessible, then secure the torsion bar to the uprights. Try not to stress the brake lines.
To remove and install bushings, there is a special tool from the company, or you can use an impromptu tool: a long bolt, nut, washers and a metal pipe of a certain length or bushing.
Where required, before removing the bushing, cut the flange from the end of the bushing with a sharp knife (pic. 10.17).
Removal can be made easier if the housing containing the bushing in the trailing arm is heated to about 70°C. Do not use an open flame because of the proximity to the fuel tank.
Remove bushing from trailing arm using tool as above.
Lubricate the new bushing with soapy water, then insert it into position, making sure that the narrow part of the bushing is facing up.
Repeat the operation on the other trailing arm.
Raise the torsion beam with a jack and install the bolts and nuts that secure the front ends of the trailing arms to the bottom of the body. Do not fully tighten the fastener at this stage. Pull out the support legs.
Clamp the rigid tubes and flexible hoses to the underside of the body.
Perform the penultimate operations indicated above in the section "Rear suspension torsion bar...", starting from point "Install the wheels...".
On station wagon and van models, connect the brake pressure control valve spring to the bracket on the torsion beam.
On station wagon and van models, check the adjustment of the brake pressure control valve.
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