Page 57 of 2438

flakes are visible in the used lubricant or the bearing
rollers and race cup is discolored, the bearing and
race cup should be replaced. For proper service pro-
cedures, see Group 5, Brakes. Replace the inner seal
whenever the wheel bearings are serviced.
REAR WHEEL BEARING LUBRICATION
CAUTION: Combining two types of lubricant can
cause bearing failure. Wash used or new bearings
with a suitable solvent and blot dry with a lint free
cloth before packing with new lubricant.
WARNING: DO NOT ALLOW BEARING TO SPIN AT
HIGH RPM WHEN USING COMPRESSED AIR TO
BLOW CLEANING SOLVENT FROM BEARING.
BEARING CAGE CAN EXPLODE, CAUSING PER-
SONAL INJURY.
TO LUBRICATE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS:
(1) Hoist rear wheels off the ground and support ve-
hicle on safety stands. Refer to Hoisting Recommenda-
tions in the General Information section of this group.
(2) Remove rear wheels.
(3) Remove brake caliper on vehicles with rear disc
brakes. For proper procedure, see Group 5, Brakes. (4) Remove rear wheel hub (drum) assembly and
remove inner grease seal (Fig. 7). For proper service
procedure, see Group 5, Brakes. (5) Inspect bearings, refer to Inspection paragraph
of this procedure. Wash used lubricant from bearings
with solvent and blot or blow dry. (6) Using a bearing packing device, lubricate the
bearings with Mopar, Wheel Bearing Grease or
equivalent. (7) With a wiping cloth, clean used lubricant form
wheel hub assembly and axle spindle. (8) Install inner wheel bearing in the hub assem-
bly, small end of bearing toward hub. With a finger,
smooth out grease around the outside of bearing. (9) Using a seal driver, install new inner hub seal.
(10) Install wheel hub (drum) assembly on axle
spindle. (11) Install outer wheel bearing over the spindle
end, small end of bearing toward hub. With a finger,
smooth out grease around the outside of bearing. (12) Install washer and spindle nut. While rotating
hub, tighten spindle nut to 27 to 34 N Im (240 to 300
in. lbs.) torque. Loosen spindle nut one quarter turn.
Hand tighten spindle nut. (13) Install spindle nut lock cover, cotter pin and
grease cap. (14) Install disc brake caliper on vehicles with disc
brakes. CAUTION: Pump brake pedal several times before
driving vehicle to verify brake operation.
(15) Install wheel and lower vehicle.
BRAKES
BRAKE PAD AND LINING INSPECTION
The brake pads and linings should be inspected at dis-
tance intervals described in the Lubrication and Main-
tenance Schedules. Refer to the General Information
section of this group. If brake pads or linings appear ex-
cessively worn, the brakes would require service. For
proper service procedures, refer to Group 5, Brakes.
BRAKE HOSE INSPECTION
WARNING: IF FRONT WHEEL, REAR AXLE, OR AN-
TI-LOCK UNIT BRAKE HOSE OUTER COVER IS
CRACKED, CHAFED, OR BULGED, REPLACE HOSE
IMMEDIATELY. BRAKE FAILURE CAN RESULT.
The front wheel, rear axle and anti-lock unit (if
equipped) brake hoses should be inspected at time
and distance intervals described in the Lubrication
and Maintenance Schedules. Refer to the General In-
formation section of this group. A hose must be re-
placed if it has signs of cracking, chafing, fatigue or
bulging. For proper service procedures, refer to
Group 5, Brakes.
BRAKE LINE INSPECTION
The metal brake lines should be inspected when other
under vehicle service is preformed. If a line is pinched,
kinked, or corroded, it should be repaired. For proper
service procedures, refer to Group 5, Brakes.
Fig. 7 Rear Wheel Bearings
Ä LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE 0 - 21
Page 58 of 2438

BRAKE RESERVOIR LEVEL INSPECTION
WARNING: DO NOT ALLOW PETROLEUM OR WATER
BASE LIQUIDS TO CONTAMINATE BRAKE FLUID,
SEAL DAMAGE AND BRAKE FAILURE CAN RESULT.
RELIEVE PRESSURE IN ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYS-
TEM BEFORE ADDING BRAKE FLUID TO RESER-
VOIR. IF NOT, BRAKE FLUID COULD DISCHARGED
FROM THE RESERVOIR POSSIBLY CAUSING PER-
SONAL INJURY.
The brake reservoir level should be inspected when
other under hood service is performed. It is normal
for the reservoir level to drop as disc brake pads
wear. When fluid must be added, use Mopar, Brake
Fluid or equivalent. Use only brake fluid conforming
to DOT 3, Federal, Department of Transportation
specification. To avoid brake fluid contamination, use
fluid from a properly sealed container. On vehicles with anti-lock brakes, depressurize the
system before inspecting fluid level. Turn OFF the
ignition and remove the key. Pump the brake pedal
at least 50 times to relieve the pressure in the sys-
tem.
On all vehicles, if fluid should become low after sev-
eral thousand kilometers (miles), fill the reservoir to
level marks on the side of the reservoir (Fig. 8 or 9).
HEADLAMPS
The headlamps should be inspected for intensity
and aim whenever a problem is suspected. When lug-
gage compartment is heavily loaded, the headlamp
aim should be adjusted to compensate for vehicle
height change. For proper service procedures, refer to
Group 8L, Lamps. DRIVER SUPPLEMENTAL AIRBAG SYSTEM
If the AIRBAG indicator lamp does not light at all,
stays lit or lights momentarily or continuously while
driving, a malfunction may have occurred. Prompt service is required. Refer to Group 8M, Restraint
Systems for proper diagnostic procedures.
BODY LUBRICATION
Body mechanisms and linkages should be inspected,
cleaned and lubricated as required to maintain ease of
operation and to prevent corrosion and wear. Before a component is lubricated, oil, grease and dirt
should be wiped off. If necessary, use solvent to clean
component to be lubricated. After lubrication is com-
plete, wipe off excess grease or oil. During winter season, external lock cylinders should
be lubricated with Mopar, Lock Lubricant or equiva-
lent to ensure proper operation when exposed to water
and ice. To assure proper hood latching component operation,
use engine oil to lubricate the lock, safety catch and
hood hinges when other under hood service is per-
formed. Mopar, Multi-purpose Grease or equivalent
should be applied sparingly to all pivot and slide
contact areas.
USE ENGINE OIL ON:
² Door hingesÐHinge pin and pivot points.
² Hood hingesÐPivot points.
² Luggage compartment lid hingesÐPivot points.
USE MOPAR LUBRIPLATE OR EQUIVALENT ON:
² Door check straps.
² Hood counterbalance springs.
² Luggage compartment lid latches.
² Luggage compartment lid prop rod pivots.
² Ash tray slides.
² Fuel Fill Door latch mechanism.
² Park brake mechanism.
² Front seat tracks.
Fig. 8 Anti-lock Brake Reservoir
Fig. 9 Master Cylinder Brake ReservoirÐExcept
Anti-lock
0 - 22 LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE Ä
Page 59 of 2438

SUSPENSION AND DRIVESHAFTS
CONTENTS
page page
AUTOMATIC AIR LOAD LEVELING SYSTEM . 59
AUTOMATIC AIR SUSPENSION ............ 73
DRIVESHAFTS ......................... 25
FRONT SUSPENSION ..................... 2
FRONT SUSPENSION SERVICE PROCEDURES . 5 GENERAL INFORMATION
.................. 1
REAR (STUB) AXLE ALIGNMENT ALL MODELS ............................ 89
REAR SUSPENSION ..................... 50
SPECIFICATIONS ....................... 91
GENERAL INFORMATION
Throughout this group, references may be made to
a particular vehicle by letter or number designation.
A chart showing the breakdown of these designations
is included in the Introduction section at the front of
this Service Manual. An independent MacPherson Type front suspension
is used on these vehicles. Vertical shock absorbing
struts attach to the upper fender reinforcement and the steering knuckle to provide upper steering
knuckle position. Lower control arms are attached
inboard to a crossmember and outboard to the steer-
ing knuckle through a ball joint to provide lower
steering knuckle position. During steering maneu-
vers, the strut (through a pivot bearing in the upper
retainer) and the steering knuckle turn as an assem-
bly (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 Front Suspension (Typical)
Ä SUSPENSION AND DRIVESHAFTS 2 - 1
Page 60 of 2438

FRONT SUSPENSION
FRONT SUSPENSION MAJOR COMPONENTS (FIG. 2)
STRUT SUPPORT
The system is supported by coil springs positioned
offset around the struts. The springs are contained
between an upper seat, located just below the top
strut mount assembly (Fig. 2) and a lower spring
seat on the strut lower housing. The top of each strut assembly is bolted to the up-
per fender reinforcement (shock tower) through a
rubber isolated mount. The bottom attaches to the top of the steering
knuckle with two through bolts. On some vehicles,
one bolt has an eccentric cam located below the head
of the bolt for camber adjustment. On the other ve-
hicles the camber adjustment is done by manually
moving the steering knuckle within the strut assem-
bly. Caster is a fixed setting on all vehicles and is
not adjustable.
STEERING KNUCKLE
The steering knuckle is a single casting with legs
machined for attachment to the strut damper, steer-
ing linkage, brake adaptor, and lower control arm
ball joint. The knuckle also holds the front drive hub
bearing. The hub is positioned through the bearing
and knuckle, with the constant velocity stub shaft
splined through the hub.
LOWER CONTROL ARM
The lower control arm is a steel casting with 2
large spool type rubber pivot bushings. The lower
control arm is bolted to the crossmember with pivot
bolts through the center of the rubber pivot bush-
ings. The ball joint is pressed into the control arm and
has a non-tapered stud with a notch for clamp bolt
clearance. The stud is clamped and locked into the
steering knuckle leg with a clamp bolt. The lower control arms are inter-connected through
a rubber isolated sway bar (Fig. 2).
DRIVESHAFTS
A left and right driveshaft is attached inboard to
the transaxle differential side gears, and outboard to
the driven wheel hub. To deliver driving force from the transaxle to the
front wheels during turning maneuvers and suspen-
sion movement. Both shafts are constructed with con-
stant velocity universal joints at both ends. Both shafts have a Tripod (sliding) joint at the
transaxle end and Rzeppa joints (with splined stub
shafts) on the hub ends. Due to the transaxle loca-
tion the connecting shafts between the C/V joints are
of different length and construction. The right shaft
is longer and of tubular construction. The left shaft
is solid.
2 - 2 SUSPENSION AND DRIVESHAFTS Ä
Page 61 of 2438
Fig. 2 Front Suspension Components
Ä SUSPENSION AND DRIVESHAFTS 2 - 3
Page 62 of 2438
SUSPENSION/STEERING/DIAGNOSIS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE
2 - 4 SUSPENSION AND DRIVESHAFTS Ä
Page 63 of 2438

FRONT SUSPENSION SERVICE PROCEDURES INDEX
page page
Ball Joints .............................. 13
Hub and Bearing Assembly ................. 20
Knuckle (Front Suspension) ................. 16
Lower Control Arm ....................... 10
Lower Control Arm Pivot Bushings ........... 11 Shock Absorbers (Strut Damper)
............. 10
Strut Damper Assembly ..................... 7
Suspension Coil Springs .................... 9
Sway Bar .............................. 14
Wheel Alignment .......................... 5
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Front wheel alignment is the proper adjustment of
all interrelated front suspension angles. These angles
are what affects the running and steering of the
front wheels of the vehicle. The method of checking front alignment will vary
depending on the type of equipment being used. The
instructions furnished by the manufacturer of the
equipment should always be followed. With the ex-
ception that the alignment specifications recom-
mended by Chrysler Corporation be used. There are six basic factors which are the founda-
tion to front wheel alignment. These are height,
caster, camber, toe-in, steering axis inclination and
toe-out on turns. Of the six basic factors only camber
and toe in are mechanically adjustable (Fig. 1)
CAUTION: Do not attempt to modify any suspen-
sion or steering components by heating or bending
of the component.
Wheel alignment adjustments and checks should be
made in the following sequence. (1) Camber
(2) Toe
Camber is the number of degrees the top of the
wheel is tilted inward or outward from true vertical.
Inward tilt is negative camber. Outward tilt is posi-
tive camber. Excessive camber is a tire wear factor: negative
camber causes wear on the inside of the tire, while
positive camber causes wear to the outside. Toe
is measured in degrees or inches and is the
distance the front edges of the tires are closer (or far-
ther apart) than the rear edges. See Front Wheel
Drive Specifications for Toesettings.
PRE-ALIGNMENT
Before any attempt is made to change or correct
the wheel alignment factors. The following inspection
and necessary corrections must be made on those
parts which influence the steering of the vehicle. (1) Check and inflate tires to recommended pres-
sure. All tires should be the same size and in good
condition and have approximately the same wear.
Note type of tread wear which will aid in diagnosing,
see Wheels and Tires, Group 22. (2) Check front wheel and tire assembly for radial
runout. (3) Inspect lower ball joints and all steering link-
age for looseness. (4) Check for broken or sagged front and rear
springs. Front suspension must only be checked after the
vehicle has had the following checked or adjusted.
Tires set to recommended pressures, full tank of fuel,
no passenger or luggage compartment load and is on
a level floor or alignment rack. Just prior to each alignment reading. The vehicle
should be bounced (rear first, then front) by grasping
bumper at center and jouncing each end an equal
number of times. Always release bumpers at bottom
of down cycle.
Ä SUSPENSION AND DRIVESHAFTS 2 - 5
Page 64 of 2438
Fig. 1 Alignment Camber/Toe
2 - 6 SUSPENSION AND DRIVESHAFTS Ä