This procedure covers the replacement of rear leaf spring bushings on a 2016-2024 Hyundai Tucson with AWD, which uses a coil spring independent rear suspension rather than leaf springs.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear lower control arm bushings × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Rear upper control arm bushings (if applicable) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points
5. Remove rear wheels
6. Spray control arm mounting bolts with penetrating oil if corrosion is present
7. Support rear knuckle assembly with a jack to prevent suspension from dropping

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove rear wheel and access control arm
   With vehicle safely supported on jack stands, remove the rear wheel. Position a hydraulic jack under the rear knuckle to support the suspension at ride height. This prevents the suspension from dropping and damaging brake lines or ABS sensors.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar link if necessary
   If the sway bar link interferes with control arm removal, disconnect it from the control arm. Hold the shaft with an Allen key while loosening the nut to prevent spinning. Mark the orientation for reassembly.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Mark control arm position
   Before removing any bolts, mark the position of the control arm relative to the subframe and knuckle using paint or a marker. This ensures proper alignment during reinstallation and maintains suspension geometry.
4. 4

   Remove control arm mounting bolts
   Using a breaker bar, loosen and remove the control arm mounting bolts at both the chassis/subframe end and the knuckle end. Note the orientation and position of any washers or spacers. The bolts may be tight due to bushing preload.
   ⚠Support the control arm as you remove the final bolt to prevent it from dropping suddenly.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove control arm from vehicle
   Carefully extract the control arm from the vehicle. You may need to use a pry bar to separate the arm from the mounting points if bushings are seized. Inspect the mounting points on the subframe and knuckle for damage or excessive wear.
6. 6

   Press out old bushings
   Using a hydraulic press or bushing press kit, press the old bushings out of the control arm. Apply force evenly and support the arm properly to avoid bending. Note the orientation of the old bushing, particularly any offset or directional features.
   ⚠Ensure the control arm is properly supported during pressing to prevent deformation of the arm.
7. 7

   Clean control arm bushing bore
   Use a wire brush to thoroughly clean the bushing bore in the control arm. Remove all rust, debris, and old bushing material. Inspect the bore for cracks, elongation, or damage. The bore should be smooth and round for proper bushing installation.
8. 8

   Press in new bushings
   Apply a light coating of soapy water or bushing lubricant to the new bushing outer diameter. Align the bushing correctly according to any directional markings or offset features. Press the new bushing in evenly using a hydraulic press until it is fully seated and flush with the control arm.
   ℹ️Some bushings have directional orientation or offset voids. Verify correct orientation before pressing.
9. 9

   Install control arm to vehicle
   Position the control arm back into the vehicle, aligning it with the marks made during disassembly. Insert the mounting bolts but do NOT fully tighten them yet. Thread bolts in by hand first to ensure proper thread engagement.
10. 10

    Reconnect sway bar link
    If the sway bar link was disconnected, reconnect it to the control arm. Hold the shaft with an Allen key and tighten the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install wheel and lower vehicle
    Reinstall the rear wheel and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle until the full weight is resting on the suspension but the wheel is just touching the ground. This loads the suspension to the correct ride height position.
12. 12

    Torque control arm bolts with suspension loaded
    With the vehicle weight on the suspension at ride height, torque the control arm mounting bolts to specification. This is CRITICAL - torquing with the suspension unloaded will cause premature bushing failure due to wind-up.
    ⚠️Control arm bolts MUST be torqued with vehicle weight on suspension. Failure to do so will cause bushing failure.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Final tightening and lower vehicle
    Raise vehicle slightly, remove jack stands, and lower completely to ground. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Repeat procedure for opposite side if replacing both sides
2. Double-check all fastener torque specifications before test driving
3. Remove all tools and equipment from under vehicle

Verification

• Test drive vehicle and listen for any clunking or abnormal noises from rear suspension
• Check for proper tracking and handling - vehicle should not pull to one side
• Perform visual inspection of all connections after test drive
• Schedule a four-wheel alignment within 50 miles of completing this repair to ensure proper suspension geometry

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