4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

Replace lateral link "dogbone" with suspension loaded or unloaded?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-16-2015, 07:02 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
LocalMaxima's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 57
Replace lateral link "dogbone" with suspension loaded or unloaded?

Just what the title says- I am getting ready to replace the rear lateral link- should I do this with the rear wheels up on ramps, or with the car on jack stands and the suspension dangling?

Thanks!
LocalMaxima is offline  
Old 06-16-2015, 12:14 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
aackshun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 5,404
https://maxima.org/forums/advanced-s...rear-beam.html



I haven't worked on the rear as much as I'd like; that's a final frontier for me and these cars.
aackshun is offline  
Old 06-16-2015, 05:28 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
iTrader: (13)
 
jholley's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: TN
Posts: 1,320
You need the rear torsion beam unloaded to replace that dogbone. This thread gives all the details:

https://maxima.org/forums/4th-genera...gs-review.html

EDIT:

Originally Posted by LocalMaxima
Just what the title says- I am getting ready to replace the rear lateral link- should I do this with the rear wheels up on ramps, or with the car on jack stands and the suspension dangling?

Thanks!
You'll need the rear wheels removed while on jackstands to remove those shock bolts.

Last edited by jholley; 06-16-2015 at 05:45 PM.
jholley is offline  
Old 06-16-2015, 07:11 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
LocalMaxima's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 57
Thanks for the links guys that makes it pretty clear. I did not realize I had to take the whole rear assembly off!

It is still somewhat apart from doing the trailing arm bushings so hopefully those lateral link bolts will respond to my breaker bar!
LocalMaxima is offline  
Old 06-17-2015, 04:42 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
iTrader: (13)
 
jholley's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: TN
Posts: 1,320
Originally Posted by LocalMaxima
Thanks for the links guys that makes it pretty clear. I did not realize I had to take the whole rear assembly off!

It is still somewhat apart from doing the trailing arm bushings so hopefully those lateral link bolts will respond to my breaker bar!
The rear torsion beam doesn't need to be dropped. Before removing the lateral link and control rod only the shock bolts need to removed.

As stated step 2 of the link I provided you just need to support the rear beam with jacks before unloading the shocks from the beam.

2. Put a jack under the center of the rear beam, and remove the bolts at the bottom of the struts.
jholley is offline  
Old 06-17-2015, 05:50 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
asand1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Reedsport, OR
Posts: 3,948
Before final tightening of the bolts the weight of the car needs to be put on the tires. This is because the bushings are vulvanized rubber and tightening them unloaded will put a bind on them later.
asand1 is offline  
Old 06-17-2015, 12:27 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
LocalMaxima's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 57
Thanks-

replaced it this morning in a couple of hours- the lateral link did need to come off completely, which I think the instructions said, but it was not difficult. Even with bad struts the new dogbone and trailing arm bushings managed to firm things up noticeably.

By next week I will have the struts and springs replaced- can't wait to see the difference then!
LocalMaxima is offline  
Old 06-17-2015, 06:06 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
iTrader: (13)
 
jholley's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: TN
Posts: 1,320
Originally Posted by LocalMaxima
Thanks-

replaced it this morning in a couple of hours- the lateral link did need to come off completely, which I think the instructions said, but it was not difficult. Even with bad struts the new dogbone and trailing arm bushings managed to firm things up noticeably.

By next week I will have the struts and springs replaced- can't wait to see the difference then!
What trailing arm bushings did you install? I inserted ES polyurethane bushings on the rear torsion beam I recently replaced. With the rear beam off my max replacing those bushings was quick and easy. Those polyurethane bushings reduced the understeer.
jholley is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MAXSE5SPD
Other For Sale/Wanted
2
08-23-2015 12:06 PM
MaximaDrvr
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
16
08-19-2015 08:20 PM
doobadoo
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
2
08-15-2015 06:43 PM
mikekay
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
0
08-10-2015 12:52 PM
laparka66
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
16
08-06-2015 09:36 AM



Quick Reply: Replace lateral link "dogbone" with suspension loaded or unloaded?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:27 PM.