DESCRIPTION ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONww2.justanswer.com/uploads/JHoop/2008-04-06_083525_FORNT.pdf · 2008. 4. 6. · joint stud. Grasp wheel assembly and push it up and down. If reading

1998-99 SUSPENSION

Front - Breeze, Cirrus, Sebring Convertible & Stratus

DESCRIPTION

Front suspension is a short/long arm type with gas charged shock absorbing struts. Tops of strut assemblies bolt to cast aluminum upper control arm brackets, which are bolted to strut tower through rubber isolated mounts. Bottom of strut assembly attaches to strut clevis, which is bolted to steering knuckle. Caster and camber are fixed and have no adjustment. Lower control arms are interconnected through a rubber isolated stabilizer bar.

ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION

WHEEL ALIGNMENT

WHEEL BEARINGS

No lubrication or adjustment is necessary for permanently sealed front bearings.

RIDING HEIGHT

BALL JOINT CHECKING

Lower Ball Joint

Raise and support vehicle. Position dial indicator to measure vertical movement of steering knuckle near ball joint stud. Grasp wheel assembly and push it up and down. If reading on dial indicator exceeds .059" (1.5 mm), replace lower control arm assembly. DO NOT lube lower ball joint.

Upper Ball Joint

With vehicle on ground and wheels in straight-ahead position, grasp grease fitting and attempt to move fitting. No mechanical assistance or added force is needed to check ball joint. If ball joint is worn, fitting will move easily. If movement is noted, replace upper control arm assembly.

NOTE: See appropriate SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

NOTE: If a suspension component fails or becomes bent or damaged, DO NOT straighten or repair. Replace with a NEW component.

NOTE: See RIDING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT in appropriate SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

CAUTION: DO NOT raise vehicle by positioning lifting device on suspension

1998 Plymouth Breeze

1998-99 SUSPENSION' 'Front - Breeze, Cirrus, Sebring Convertible & Stratus



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Sunday, April 06, 2008 8:31:47 AM Page 1 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

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REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

HUB/BEARING & STEERING KNUCKLE

Removal

1. Remove cotter pin, nut lock, and spring washer from hub. Loosen hub nut with vehicle on ground and brakes applied. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove hub nut. Remove caliper, and wire aside. Remove brake rotor. Remove lower ball joint heat shield (if equipped). Remove nut attaching tie rod end to steering knuckle.

2. Using Remover (MB-991113 or MB-990635), separate tie rod end from steering knuckle. Remove speed sensor cable routing bracket (if equipped with ABS). Remove cotter pin and nut attaching lower ball joint stud-to-steering knuckle. Pull front of steering knuckle outward. Using a hammer, strike steering knuckle boss to separate lower ball joint stud from steering knuckle. See Fig. 1 . DO NOT damage ball joint seal during separation.

components. Damage to suspension components can occur.

NOTE: Hub and axle shaft are splined together through steering knuckle/bearing assembly and retained by hub nut.



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Fig. 1: Separating Lower Ball Joint Stud From Steering Knuckle Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

3. Support axle shaft. Pull knuckle assembly out and away from axle shaft to separate steering knuckle from outer CV joint. Remove cotter pin and nut attaching upper ball joint stud-to-steering knuckle. Using Puller (C-3894-A), remove upper ball joint stud from steering knuckle. See Fig. 2 . Remove steering knuckle from vehicle and mount in vise. Remove 3 steering knuckle-to-hub and bearing assembly bolts. Separate hub and bearing assembly from steering knuckle.

CAUTION: Use care when pulling steering knuckle from vehicle after separating steering knuckle from lower ball joint stud. Inner CV joint may separate.

NOTE: During any service procedures in which knuckle and axle shaft are separated, thoroughly clean outer CV joint and wheel bearing area before reassembly.



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Fig. 2: Removing Ball Joint Stud From Steering Knuckle Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Installation

1. Install hub and bearing assembly into steering knuckle. Tighten 3 steering knuckle-to-hub and bearing assembly bolts to specification in a crisscross pattern. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table. Slide axle shaft through hub/bearing assembly. Install steering knuckle with hub/bearing assembly onto lower control arm ball joint stud.

2. Install lower ball joint-to-steering knuckle retaining nut. Position upper ball joint stud into steering knuckle, and install retaining nut. Tighten upper and lower ball joint retaining nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table. Install speed sensor cable routing bracket (if equipped with ABS).

3. Install tie rod end onto steering knuckle arm, and tighten nut to specification. Install NEW cotter pins. Install brake rotor. Install brake caliper. Install caliper mounting bolts and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

CAUTION: When installing tie rod on steering knuckle, heat shield (if applicable) must be installed to prevent tie rod seal boot failure.



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4. Install washer and hub nut, and tighten to specification (with brakes applied). Install spring washer, nut lock and NEW cotter pin. Install wheel. Check and adjust front end alignment as necessary.

LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT

Removal

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove ball joint seal heat shield (if equipped). Remove 2 bolts attaching brake caliper-to-steering knuckle. Remove tie rod end using Remover (MB991113 or MB-990635). Remove caliper, and wire aside. Remove brake rotor. Remove cotter pin and retaining nut from lower ball joint stud.

2. Pull front of steering knuckle outward. Using hammer, strike steering knuckle boss to separate lower ball joint stud from steering knuckle. See Fig. 1 . DO NOT insert tool between knuckle and lower arm to separate. Ensure damage to ball joint seal does not occur during separation.

3. Remove through-bolt attaching strut clevis-to-lower control arm. Separate strut clevis from lower control arm. Remove nut attaching stabilizer bar link-to-lower control arm. Insert allen wrench into end of stabilizer bar link to prevent stabilizer bar link from rotating. See Fig. 3 .

NOTE: Lower ball joint is an integral component of lower control arm and is not serviceable. Lower ball joint must be serviced by replacing complete control arm assembly.

CAUTION: Use care when pulling steering knuckle from vehicle after separating steering knuckle from lower ball joint stud. Inner CV joint may separate.



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Fig. 3: Removing Stabilizer Bar Link Attaching Nut Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

4. Remove bolts attaching stabilizer bar bracket-to-crossmember. It is not necessary to remove both brackets. Remove bracket on side of vehicle from which control arm is to be removed. Lower stabilizer bar away from lower control arm. Remove front and rear pivot bolts attaching control arm-to-crossmember.

5. Remove lower control arm assembly. Inspect lower control arm for distortion, and check bushings for deterioration. Replace as necessary. See LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS .

Installation

1. Position lower control arm into crossmember. Install front and rear pivot bolts into crossmember. DO NOT tighten front pivot bolt at this time. Tighten rear pivot bolt to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

2. Install ball joint stud into steering knuckle. Install ball joint stud-to-steering knuckle retaining nut, and tighten to specification. Install NEW cotter pin. Position stabilizer bar link into control arm. Position stabilizer bar-to-crossmember retaining bracket. Install retainer bolts and tighten to specification.

3. Install stabilizer bar link-to-control arm retaining nut. Insert allen wrench into end of stabilizer bar link to



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prevent stabilizer bar link from rotating. See Fig. 3 . Tighten nut to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Position strut clevis on control arm and install through-bolt finger tight.

4. Lower vehicle until lower control arm is supporting vehicle weight and control arm is at design height. See Fig. 4 . Tighten strut clevis-to-control arm through-bolt. Tighten front pivot bolt to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Check and adjust front end alignment as necessary.

Fig. 4: Supporting Lower Control Arm With Jack stand Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS

Removal (Front Bushing)

Remove lower control arm. See LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT . Mount lower control arm in vise. Position Bushing Remover (6602-5) and Bushing Receiver (MB-990799) on Remover/Installer (C-4212-F). See Fig. 5 . Position remover/installer squarely on control arm. Tighten remover/installer screw to press

CAUTION: When supporting lower control arm with jack stand, DO NOT position jack stand under ball joint cap.



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bushing from control arm.

Fig. 5: Removing Front Bushing From Lower Control Arm Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Installation

Position Bushing Driver (6876) and Bushing Installer (6758) on Remover/Installer (C-4212-F). See Fig. 6 . Start bushing into control arm by hand. Ensure bushing is installed in control arm from machined surface side. Position remover/installer on control arm mounted in vise. Tighten remover/installer screw until front bushing is flush with machined surface.



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Fig. 6: Installing Front Bushing Into Lower Control Arm Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Removal (Rear Bushing)

Remove lower control arm. See LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT . Mount lower control arm in vise. Install Bushing Remover (6756) and Bushing Receiver (C-4366-2) on Remover/Installer (C-4212-F). See Fig. 7 . Position remover/installer squarely on control arm. Tighten remover/installer screw to press bushing from control arm.



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Fig. 7: Removing Lower Control Arm Rear Bushing Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Installation

Position Bushing Installer (6760) and Spacer (6756) on remover/installer. See Fig. 8 . Start bushing into control arm by hand. Ensure bushing is installed in control arm from machined surface side, with void in bushing facing away from ball joint. See Fig. 9 . Position remover/installer squarely on control arm. Tighten remover/installer screw until bushing is flush with machined surface.



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Fig. 8: Installing Lower Control Arm Rear Bushing Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.



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Fig. 9: Positioning Lower Control Arm Rear Bushing Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Removal (Clevis Bushing)

Remove lower control arm. See LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT . Mount lower control arm in vise. Position Bushing Remover (6877) and Bushing Receiver (6876) on Remover/Installer (C-4212-F). See Fig. 10 . Position remover/installer squarely on control arm. Tighten remover/installer screw to press bushing from control arm.



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Fig. 10: Removing/Installing Lower Control Arm Clevis Bushing Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Installation

Position Bushing Installer (6877) and Bushing Receiver (6876) on Remover/Installer (C-4212-F). See Fig. 10 . Start bushing into control arm by hand. Ensure bushing is installed in control arm from machined surface side. Position remover/installer squarely on control arm. Tighten remover/installer screw until bushing is flush with machined surface.

STABILIZER BAR

Removal

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove nut attaching stabilizer bar link-to-lower control arm. Insert allen wrench into end of stabilizer bar link to prevent stabilizer bar link from rotating. See Fig. 3 . Remove bolts attaching stabilizer bar bushing retaining brackets.

2. Remove stabilizer bar from vehicle. Inspect for broken or distorted clamps and/or retainers. Inspect bushings for wear, deterioration, or damage. Replace components as necessary.

3. If inner crossmember bushing replacement is required, bend back 4 crimped corners on bushing retaining



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brackets to separate brackets. Remove bushing by opening split in bushing.

Installation

Install new crossmember bushings on bar with slit facing front of vehicle when installed. Install bushing retaining brackets onto bushings. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts/nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

STRUT DAMPER ASSEMBLY

Removal

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove wheel speed sensor cable routing bracket from steering knuckle. Remove cotter pin and retaining nut attaching upper ball joint stud-to-steering knuckle.

2. Using Puller (C-3894-A), remove upper ball joint stud from steering knuckle. See Fig. 2 . Remove strut damper-to-strut clevis pinch bolt. Remove strut clevis-to-lower control arm through-bolt. Note location of locating tab in relation to clevis bracket for reassembly. Remove clevis bracket from strut damper with brass drift and hammer.

3. Remove 4 bolts attaching strut assembly/upper control arm mounting bracket-to-strut tower. Remove strut assembly/upper control arm mounting bracket from vehicle.

Disassembly

Compress coil spring with Spring Compressor (7521-A) for 1998 models, or (W-7200) for 1999 models. For all models, ensure first full top and bottom coil of coil spring is captured by spring compressor. Hold strut rod with Strut Socket (A136), and remove strut rod nut and washer. Remove upper strut mount/upper control arm assembly. Remove remaining components, noting order for reassembly reference. Remove coil spring with spring compressor attached.

Inspection

CAUTION: DO NOT attempt to modify any suspension or steering components by heating or bending.

WARNING: DO NOT remove strut rod nut. Coil spring is under extreme pressure. Removing strut rod nut without compressing spring may result in personal injury.

NOTE: Coil springs are rated separately for each corner of vehicle depending on optional equipment and type of service. Mark coil spring and strut assembly to ensure it is reinstalled in correct position.

CAUTION: DO NOT damage strut rod seal surface. Possible seal leakage can result.



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1. Inspect strut damper for fluid leakage, damage, or excessive wear. A slight amount of fluid seepage is usual and does not affect performance. Replace strut if fluid is leaking down sides of strut.

2. Check strut damper mount assembly for severe deterioration of rubber isolator. Inspect retainers for cracks and distortion. Ensure damper has no flat spots over its entire stroke. Replace all worn parts as necessary.

Reassembly

Install components in reverse order of disassembly. Ensure upper and lower strut rod bushings are installed in correct locations. See Fig. 11 . Install strut mount/upper control arm assembly, washer, and rod nut. Using Strut Socket (A136), tighten rod nut to specification before releasing spring compressor. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Remove spring compressor.

Fig. 11: Identifying Upper & Lower Strut Rod Bushings Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.

Installation

1. Install strut assembly into strut tower. Install and tighten retaining bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Install clevis bracket on strut. Install clevis bracket-to-control arm through-bolt finger tight. Position upper ball joint stud into steering knuckle. Install ball joint-to-steering knuckle retaining nut, and tighten to specification.

2. Install NEW cotter pin. Install speed control routing bracket. Lower vehicle until lower control arm is



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supporting vehicle weight, and control arm is at design height. See Fig. 4 . Tighten strut clevis-to-lower control arm through-bolt to specification. Install wheel, and tighten lug nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

UPPER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT

Removal

1. Remove strut assembly from vehicle. See STRUT DAMPER ASSEMBLY . Install strut clevis back onto strut damper. Clamp strut clevis bracket in vise. Compress coil spring with Spring Compressor (7521-A) for 1998 models, or (W-7200) for 1999 models.

2. Ensure first full top and bottom coil of coil spring is captured by spring compressor. Hold strut rod with Strut Socket (A136), and remove strut rod nut and washer. Remove upper strut mount/upper control arm assembly. Remove upper and lower bushings from upper strut mount, noting order and position for reassembly. See Fig. 11 . Remove bolts attaching upper control arm-to-upper strut mount

Installation

1. Position upper control arm onto mounting bracket. Install control arm mounting bolts with heads facing each other, and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Install upper and lower bushings into upper strut mount. Ensure upper and lower strut rod bushings are installed in correct positions and locations. See Fig. 11 .

2. Install strut mount/upper control arm assembly, washer and rod nut. Using Strut Rod Socket (A136), tighten rod nut to specification before releasing spring compressor. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Remove spring compressor. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten remaining bolts/nuts to specification.

WHEEL BEARINGS

Removal & Installation

See HUB/BEARING & STEERING KNUCKLE .

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

CAUTION: When supporting lower control arm with jackstand, DO NOT position jackstand under ball joint cap.

NOTE: Upper ball joint is an integral component of upper control arm and is not serviceable. Upper ball joint must be serviced by replacing complete upper control arm assembly.

Application Ft.-Lbs. (N.m)Ball Joint Heat Shield Attaching Bolts 10 (13)



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Caliper Bolts 16 (22)Hub Nut 180 (240)Lower Ball Joint-To-Steering Knuckle Nut 55 (75)Lower Control Arm Pivot Bolts/Nuts

Breeze, Cirrus & StratusFront (1) 135 (183)Rear 85 (115)

Sebring ConvertibleFront (1) 135 (183)Rear 70 (94)

Stabilizer Bar Clamp/Retainer Bolts (1) 45 (61)Stabilizer Bar Link-To-Control Arm Nut

Breeze, Cirrus & Stratus 78 (104)Sebring Convertible 75 (102)

Steering Knuckle-To-Hub & Bearing Assembly Bolts 80 (109)Strut Clevis-To-Lower Control Arm Through-Bolt (1)


Strut Clevis-To-Strut Damper Pinch BoltBreeze, Cirrus & Stratus 70 (94)Sebring Convertible 65 (88)

Strut Shaft Rod Nut1999 Breeze, Cirrus & Stratus 33 (44)All Other Models 40 (54)

Tie Rod End Nut 45 (61)Upper Ball Joint-To-Steering Knuckle Nut


Upper Control Arm-To-Strut Mount Bolt1998 Sebring Convertible Only 65 (88)All Other Models 67 (90)

Upper Strut Mount-To-Strut Tower BoltBreeze, Cirrus & Stratus 68 (91)Sebring Convertible 75 (102)

Wheel Lug Nuts 80-110 (107-147)(1) With weight of vehicle on suspension.



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Documents

DESCRIPTION ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONww2.justanswer.com/uploads/JHoop/2008-04-06_083525_FORNT.pdf · 2008. 4. 6. · joint stud. Grasp wheel assembly and push it up and down. If reading