Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts, raise the rear of the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands placed underneath the frame rails. Block the front wheels to keep the vehicle from rolling off the stands. Remove the rear wheels. Support the axle with a floor jack placed under the axle tube and raise it slightly to take the weight of the axle. Remove the
Shock Absorber lower mounting bolt. Remove the four U-bolt nuts and washers, the spring plate and the two Li-bolts. At the front end of the spring, remove the nut from the spring pin. On 1998 through 2000 2WD Frontier models also remove the bolt securing the pin to the frame bracket. Remove the pin. At the rear end of the spring, remove the spring shackle nuts. Remove the shackle plate and shackle. Remove the spring assembly. If the bushings at the ends of the spring are worn or deteriorated, an automotive machine shop or dealer service department can press the old ones out and press new ones in. The upper shackle bushings can be replaced without the use of special tools. Place the spring in position and install the front mounting pin and nut, but don't tighten the nut yet. If you're working on a1998 through 2000 2WD Frontier, install the pin-to-frame bolt, tightening it to the torque. Raise the rear of the spring into position and install the shackle, shackle plate and nuts. Don't tighten the nuts yet. Raise or lower the axle on the jack until it mates properly with the spring. Install the spring plate and U-bolts, then install the nuts and washers. Tighten the U-bolt nuts, in a criss-cross pattern, to the torque. Connect the lower end of the shock absorber to the spring plate. Install the washer and nut, tightening the nut to the torque. Install the wheel, lower the vehicle to the ground and bounce it a few times, then tighten the front mounting pin nut and the shackle nuts to the torque values. Tighten the lug nuts to the torque.