OEM 2002 Chevrolet Prizm Rear Crossmember

2002 Chevrolet Prizm Rear Crossmember Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to replace the Rear Crossmember in the rear suspension on 2002 Chevrolet Prizm?

  A: In order to change the rear suspension crossmember, one should start by raising and supporting the vehicle. First you take off the nut and bolt in order to separate the lh rear suspension Trailing Arm from rear suspension knuckle, and then remove the same from the rh rear suspension Trailing Arm. Next, extract the 2 nuts 3washers and the lh rear suspension rear lower Control Arm, followed by the same for the rh rear suspension rear lower Control Arm. Raise the rear suspension crossmember with a jack, then take out 2 bolts that hold the rear suspension support brace to the body and the 4 bolts holding the rear suspension crossmember to the body before lowering the crossmember. Upon replacement of the crossmember, you should remove 2 bolts and the rear suspension support brace from it, 2 inner bolts, 4 washers, lh rear suspension front lower Control Arm, and rh rear suspension front lower Control Arm from the crossmember. For installation, attach the rear suspension support brace to rear suspension cross member with 2 bolts which are to be tightened to 19 nm (14 ft. Lbs) while taking care not to install the lower Control Arm nuts until rear lower Control Arm is secured on the vehicle. Mount the lh and rh rear suspension front lower control arms, 4 washers, and 2 inner bolts onto the rear suspension crossmember without any tightening. Jack up the crossmember and bolt it into the body using 6 bolts, fastening the 4 outer bolts to 74 nm (55 ft. Lbs.) and the 2 inner bolts to 19 nm (14 ft. Lbs.). Remove that jack, and install the left hand rear suspension rear lower Control Arm using the 3 washers and 2 nuts without tightening, then the right hand rear suspension rear lower Control Arm using the same components. Mount the lh rear suspension Trailing Arm to the rear suspension knuckle without applying a bolt and then to lr rear suspension Trailing Arm asthfze. Lower the vehicle and transfer it to a drive-on lift or alignment rack. Stabilize the suspension and bounce the vehicle to settle down and then tighten the 2 rear suspension Trailing Arm to knuckle nuts and bolts to 91 nm (67 ft. Lbs.) and the 4 rear suspension Control Arm nuts and bolts to 125 nm (89 ft. Lbs.). Lastly, check the rear wheel alignment and correct as needed before taking the vehicle off the alignment rack.