12/03/2024 01:04:39

Links - Front Suspension - Lower - Fore and Aft - LH/RH (Remove & Replace)

Correction Code 31013812

  • 2024-03-12: Added a warning to remind technicians to inspect and test the cutting tool to avoid personal injury.
  • 2023-09-08: Added more detailed instructions on cutting the cam bolt. Added the Oscillating Multi-Tool with a carbide teeth blade as an alternative to the cut-off tool when the cam bolt must be cut.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
If the vehicle has air suspension, activate "Jack" mode on the touchscreen before raising and supporting the vehicle.

Special tool to remove the LH/RH lower aft link to subframe cam bolt, if the bolt head is near the HV battery and the nut is toward the front of the vehicle:

  • 1522126-00-A 4" Extended Corner Cut-off Tool, for North America
  • 1522126-01-A 4" Extended Corner Cut-off Tool, for Europe, Middle East, Africa
  • 1522126-02-A 4" Extended Corner Cut-off Tool, for Asia Pacific

Alternatively, an Oscillating Multi-Tool with a carbide teeth blade can be used to cut the bolt.

Removal

  1. Loosen the front LH and RH lug nuts (torque 175 Nm).
  2. Raise and support the vehicle. See Raise Vehicle - 2 Post Lift .
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    Do not work on an incorrectly supported vehicle.
  3. Remove the LH and RH front wheels. See Wheel Assembly (Remove and Install) .
  4. Remove the front aero shield. See Panel - Aero Shield - Front (Remove and Replace) .
  5. Remove and discard the nut that attaches the LH front lower fore link to the knuckle (torque 195 Nm).
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    To prevent ball joint damage, always hold the ball joint pin with a wrench while loosening or tightening the lock nut.
  6. Release the LH front lower fore link from the knuckle.
  7. Mark a witness line on the subframe and cam to aid installation of the new part.
  8. Remove the bolt and nut that attach the LH front lower fore link to the subframe (torque 130 Nm).
  9. Release the LH front lower fore link and remove it from the vehicle.
  10. Remove the bolt and nut that attach the LH front air spring module to the LH lower aft link (torque 140 Nm).
    Figure 1. LH shown, RH similar; some components hidden for clarity
  11. Remove and discard the nut that attaches the LH lower aft link to the knuckle (torque 195 Nm).
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    To prevent ball joint damage, always hold the ball joint pin with a wrench while loosening or tightening the lock nut.
    Figure 2. LH shown, RH similar; some components hidden for clarity
  12. Inspect the cam bolt that attaches the LH lower aft link to the subframe:
    Figure 3. Bolt head toward the front of the vehicle and nut near the HV battery (LH shown, RH similar; some components hidden for clarity)
    • If the bolt head is toward the front of the vehicle and the nut is facing the HV battery, mark a witness line on the subframe and cam to aid installation, remove the bolt and nut (torque 130 Nm) that attach the lower aft link to the subframe, and then skip to step 14.
    • If the nut is toward the front of the vehicle and the bolt head is facing the HV battery, continue to the next step.
  13. The HV battery prevents removal of the LH lower aft link to subframe cam bolt. Perform the following steps described in Aft Link (Cut Bolt)
  14. Release the LH aft link from the subframe and knuckle, and then remove the aft link from the vehicle.
  15. Repeat steps 5 to 14 on the RH side of the vehicle.

Installation

Installation procedure is the reverse of removal, except for the following:

Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
CAUTION
Install the LH/RH lower aft link to subframe cam bolt with the bolt head toward the front of the vehicle and the nut near the HV battery.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
CAUTION
Replace all nylon-insert locknuts.
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
Only fully tighten the suspension bolts and nuts that attach the fore and aft links to the knuckle and the bolts and nuts that attach the air spring module to the aft link when the vehicle is on a 4-post lift and the suspension is in the ride height position.
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
Clean the affected areas before installation.
  1. Align the LH/RH front lower fore/aft link to the subframe and set the cam to the previously marked position. Do not fully tighten it at this time.
  2. After installation of the fore and aft links to the knuckle, torque the nut that attaches the link to the knuckle to 195 Nm.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    To prevent damage, you need to hold the ball joint during tightening.
  3. Transfer the vehicle to a 4 post lift. See Raise Vehicle - 4 Post Lift .
  4. Torque the remaining suspension bolts and nuts:
    • Bolt and nut that attach the fore link to the subframe - Torque 130 Nm
    • Bolt and nut that attach the aft link to the subframe - Torque 130 Nm
    • Bolt and nut that attaches the air spring module to the aft link - Torque 140 Nm
  5. Refer to the Alignment Requirement tables to determine whether an EPAS alignment check (EC) or four wheel alignment check (AC) is necessary. If performed, add the alignment check/adjust as a separate activity. See Alignment Requirement - Suspension.

Aft Link (Cut Bolt)

Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
Before cutting the bolt, the cutting tool should be inspected and tested to ensure that it is safe for use.
Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
When cutting the bolt, wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that includes safety goggles, face shield, gloves, dust mask or respirator, protective long sleeve (non-synthetic) shirt, and hearing protection.
Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
Note
The labor for cutting the aft link cam bolt is not included in the labor for replacing the lower aft link. Correction code 31013907 should be added as a separate item on the Repair Order to account for the additional labor.
  1. Use a 22 mm wrench and 21 mm socket to remove the nut that attaches the LH aft link to the subframe.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The bolt cannot be removed because the HV battery is blocking it.
  2. Slide the bolt out from the aft link until the bolt head is nearly touching the HV battery. This exposes the body of the bolt, which can be cut to allow the bolt to be removed.
  3. Position the tool to begin cutting the bolt.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    Make sure the tool is not able to cut into the HV battery or subframe.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    The tool may create a considerable amount of sparks; make sure the surrounding area is free of flammable or combustible items.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    If using a cut-off tool, make sure to position the guard between the bolt head and the subframe mount.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The guard on the cut-off tool can be adjusted by pressing the lever on the cut-off tool head and rotating the guard.
  4. Cut through the body of the aft link bolt to remove the bolt head.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    When cutting the bolt, wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that includes safety goggles, face shield, gloves, dust mask or respirator, protective long sleeve (non-synthetic) shirt, and hearing protection.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    Warning
    The tool and blade will be hot. Do not touch the tool with an unprotected hand and avoid placing the tool on or near combustible or flammable items.
  5. While continuing to wear PPE, use pliers to remove the body of the cam bolt from the aft link and subframe.