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Toyota Hiace Van 1989-2004 factory workshop and repair manual download

Quick summary: suspension keeps the Hiace’s wheels in contact with the road, controls body motion, and isolates the cabin from bumps. Repair consists of identifying the worn part(s), safely supporting the vehicle, removing the failed component(s), fitting correct replacements, torquing to spec, and doing an alignment and test drive. Below I explain what every common component is, why and when you repair it, what can go wrong, and step‑by‑step repair procedures for the typical front (strut/shock + coil) and rear (leaf) arrangements you’ll see on Hiace vans. Read and follow a factory service manual for your exact year/model for torque values and any model‑specific details.

Safety (non‑negotiable)
- Work on a level surface, chock the wheels, and use quality jack stands — never rely on a jack alone.
- Use eye protection, gloves, and hearing protection when grinding/hammering.
- Spring removal is dangerous: use an appropriate spring compressor for coil springs and follow the tool’s instructions.
- If you’re unsure about any step or lack tools (spring compressor, ball‑joint press, press), get professional help.

Theory — why suspension matters
- Suspension = springs + dampers (shocks/struts) + control links + bushings + anti‑roll devices. Springs hold ride height and carry load. Dampers remove oscillation so the vehicle doesn’t continue to bounce after a bump. Control arms and links locate the wheel relative to the body and transmit forces. Bushings isolate vibration and allow controlled movement. Sway/anti‑roll bars reduce body roll in cornering.
- Analogy: think of the vehicle as a person carrying a heavy backpack (body/chassis) on a pair of pogo sticks (springs). Dampers are the shock absorbers on the pogo sticks that stop the bouncing; control arms are the person’s knees/ankles that keep their feet under them; bushings are the tendons that allow controlled movement. If any part fails, the “person” becomes unstable, wobbly, or painful to ride.
- Consequences of failure: poor handling, longer braking distance, uneven tire wear, noise, broken parts (e.g., snapped spring or ball joint) that can cause loss of control.

Common suspension components (what they are, what they do, signs of failure)
- Springs
- Coil springs (front on many Hiace models): support weight and determine ride height. Signs: sagging on one corner, uneven ride height, bottoming out.
- Leaf springs (common rear): multiple steel leaves clamped as a pack; good for heavy loads. Signs: cracked/broken leaf, sag under load, clunking from shifting leaves.
- Torsion bar (on some models): a bar that twists to provide spring action. Signs: vehicle leans, broken bar, noisy adjustments slip.

- Shock absorbers / Struts
- Strut = shock absorber integrated into the wheel location and often bearing mount on top (MacPherson strut style). Shock = damper only, separate from spring.
- Function: damp oscillation (control bounce). Signs: fluid leaks, excessive bounce on the bounce test (push down on corner — should settle quickly), uneven tire wear, poor handling.

- Strut mount / top mount & bearing
- Sits at the top of the strut assembly, isolates vibration and allows the strut to rotate steering-wise. Signs: noise when steering, creaks, play at the top of the strut.

- Control arms (upper/lower) and ball joints
- Control arms locate the wheel laterally/longitudinally and provide a mount for springs/dampers. Ball joints are pivot points between the control arm and the steering knuckle.
- Signs: play in the wheel (feel when jacked up and moved side‑to‑side), clunking over bumps, uneven tire wear.

- Bushings
- Rubber or polyurethane inserts that allow controlled movement and damp vibration (in control arms, sway bar mounts, leaf spring shackles).
- Signs: squeaks, clunks, play, loose steering feel.

- Sway (anti‑roll) bar and end links
- Reduces body roll. End links connect bar to control arm or strut; bushings secure the bar to the chassis.
- Signs: clunking when turning or going over bumps, increased roll.

- Steering tie rod ends and steering rack boots
- Tie rods connect the steering rack to the wheel. Play here affects toe and steering feel.
- Signs: looseness, play in steering wheel, uneven tire wear.

- Hub assembly & wheel bearings
- Allow wheel rotation and locate wheel on spindle. Signs: rumbling/grinding noise that changes with speed, play in hub.

- Bump stops, dust boots, and brackets
- Bump stops prevent harsh metal‑to‑metal contact at full compression; dust boots protect rods from contamination. Signs: torn boots allow leak and rod damage; missing bump stops causes clunks.

Tools and consumables you’ll need
- Vehicle-specific service manual (torque specs, sequences)
- Hydraulic floor jack and quality jack stands
- Wheel chocks, wheel brace / impact gun or breaker bar
- Socket set, wrenches, extensions, torque wrench
- Spring compressor (for coil springs)
- Ball‑joint press or C‑frame press (or replacement control arm if ball joint is non‑serviceable)
- Pry bars, hammer, punch, screwdriver, penetrating oil (PB Blaster)
- Punch and drift, wire brush, grease, anti‑seize, thread locker (if manual calls for it)
- New parts: shocks/struts, springs or spring pack, bushings, sway links, wheel bearings, control arms as needed
- Alignment machine or plan to get a professional alignment after repair

Diagnosis — how to find the problem
- Visual inspection: look for leaking shocks, cracked bushings, broken leafs, rust cracks at spring eyes, bent control arms.
- Bounce test: push down on a corner. If it bounces more than 1–2 cycles, dampers are likely bad.
- Wheel play: with the car lifted and wheel off the ground, grasp the wheel top/bottom and rock fore/aft (check wheel bearing) and side/side (check tie rods/ball joints). Also try to move tie rod ends and control arm to find play.
- Drive symptoms: wandering, nose dive on braking (weak front dampers), rear sag when loaded (weak springs), clunks (loose bushings/ball joints), squeaks (dry bushings).

Step‑by‑step: Typical front strut + coil spring replacement (most common Hiace front job)
Preparation
1. Park level, chock rear wheels (if working on front), loosen front wheel lug nuts slightly.
2. Raise front with floor jack at manufacturer jacking point, support on jack stands under subframe or jacking point. Remove wheel.

Disassembly
3. Inspect and remove any brackets attached to the strut (brake line clips, ABS sensor wire bracket) so you can separate them from the strut.
4. Disconnect sway bar end link from the strut (or from the lower control arm depending on design). If the end link studs seize, use penetrating oil and hold the stud with an Allen key or spanner while loosening the nut.
5. Support the lower control arm with a jack to keep the hub from dropping when bolts are removed.
6. Remove the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts (two large bolts/nuts typically). You may need to separate the sway link or ball joint to get clearance — don’t let the hub hang by brake lines.
7. Remove the top strut mounting nuts from inside engine bay under the strut tower (usually 3 nuts). Keep the strut supported as you remove the last nut so it doesn’t fall.

Removing/Disassembling strut
8. Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.
9. Use a coil spring compressor to compress the spring per tool instructions until the top mount compresses and the top nut can be removed safely.
10. Remove the top nut, take off the mount, replace any worn mount bearing, top mount rubber, and the strut (or replace entire strut cartridge). Replace coil spring if sagging or cracked.
11. Inspect dust boot and bump stop; replace if degraded.

Reassembly
12. Reassemble with new parts. Ensure spring seats/grooves are aligned. Tighten the top nut to factory torque while the strut is unloaded by the vehicle but with the spring compressed as required by the manual.
13. Reinstall the strut assembly into the vehicle, hand‑tighten top nuts first, reconnect lower bolts and torque to spec with the vehicle on the ground or per manual (some bolts require final torque with suspension loaded).
14. Reattach sway bar link, brake hose brackets, ABS wires.
15. Refit wheel, lower vehicle, torque wheel lugs to spec.

Notes and tips
- Many suspension mounting bolts have different torque requirements when the vehicle is on the ground (suspension loaded) vs hanging. Check the manual.
- Replace worn top mounts and dust boots at the same time as the strut; it saves repeat labor and prevents noise.
- If strut is integrated (non‑serviceable unit), replace the entire strut assembly.

Step‑by‑step: Rear leaf spring replacement (typical Hiace rear)
Preparation
1. Chock front wheels, slightly loosen rear wheel lugs, raise rear axle with a jack and support on stands under axle housing or subframe. Remove wheel(s) or lower for access.

Disassembly
2. Support axle with a jack so you can lower it slowly.
3. Remove U‑bolt nuts and plates that clamp the axle to the leaf spring pack. Carefully lower the axle a little to relieve load on the shackles.
4. Remove shackle bolts or front spring eye bolts depending on design. Be careful: under load the spring or brackets may move. Use penetrating oil and an assistant if needed.
5. Slide the spring back and remove from under the axle. If the center bolt is seized, carefully drift it out. Note the spring orientation and the position of the pack and plates.

Reassembly
6. Install new leaf pack or new leaves, aligning the center pin and axle seat. Fit new bushings and greased shackles as required.
7. Reinstall U‑bolts and torque in the recommended sequence to the correct value with vehicle weight on the axle (jack down to put the axle back on springs before final torquing).
8. Replace worn shackles, shackles’ bolts, and apply anti‑seize on threads. Refit wheels, lower vehicle, and torque wheel nuts to spec.

Step‑by‑step: Control arm bushings / ball joint replacement
- If the ball joint is pressed into the arm or the arm is inexpensive, many technicians replace the entire control arm rather than press bushings/joints.
- To replace a ball joint: remove arm, use a ball‑joint press to press out old and press in new. Refit arm, torque bolts, and install cotter pin where needed.
- For bushings: press old out and press new in using a hydraulic press or dedicated bushing tool; replace with polyurethane only if you accept a stiffer ride and potential added NVH.

Wheel bearing/hub replacement (overview)
- Remove wheel, brake caliper, rotor, and possibly drive axle nut (on hubs with drives). Unbolt hub from knuckle and remove. Replace bearing/hub assembly and torque axle nut to spec, install cotter pin if used.

After repair: essential checks
- Tighten all fasteners to factory torque values. Never skip torque checks.
- Grease fittings (if present) and apply anti‑seize where called for.
- Get a professional wheel alignment — replacing suspension parts changes caster/camber/toe. Driving with incorrect alignment causes rapid tire wear and poor handling.
- Road‑test: listen for noises, check steering return, verify no pull and that ride quality is expected.
- Re‑check critical fasteners after first 100–200 km/50–125 miles.

What can go wrong during repair (and how to avoid it)
- Compressed spring slipping off compressor: always follow spring compressor instructions, use quality compressors, and keep hands clear.
- Not supporting hub/control arm and letting brake lines/wires take weight: always support the hub with a jack or strap.
- Reusing worn components: cheap money to replace bushings, mounts, and hardware while you have parts apart.
- Incorrect torques or final torques done with suspension unloaded: consult manual and apply final torque where required with vehicle weight applied.
- Mixing new shocks with very old springs or vice versa: pair new dampers with good springs for proper damping/ride height.

Common symptoms and likely culprits (quick diagnostic map)
- Single corner sagging → spring broken or weak.
- Vehicle bounces excessively over bumps → worn shocks/struts.
- Clunk over bumps → worn bushings, loose U‑bolts, worn shackles, failing ball joints.
- Pull to one side or uneven tire wear → alignment issue from bent control arm, worn bushings, or unequal tire pressure; check toe/camber.
- Knocking at slow speed over bumps → sway bar links or bushings.
- Growling that changes with speed → wheel bearing.

Maintenance tips and longevity
- Replace shocks/struts in pairs (both fronts or both rears) for balanced handling.
- Inspect bushings and boots at every service; keep moving parts greased where applicable.
- Keep U‑bolts and springs free from excessive rust; undercoating or paint can slow corrosion.
- After heavy loading (frequent cargo loads) inspect rear leaf springs and U‑bolts more often.

Final words (short)
- Follow the vehicle’s service manual for exact procedures and torque values. If you lack a spring compressor, ball joint press, or safe lifting gear, don’t improvise—get the right tools or a shop. Do the job methodically: inspect first, replace the worn parts, torque correctly, align, and test.
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