
STEERING KNUCKLE
The front suspension knuckle is not a repairable
component of the vehicles front suspensionIT MUST
BE REPLACED.If bent, broken or damaged in any
way, do not attempt to straighten or repair the steer-
ing knuckle.
Service replacement of the front hub/bearing
assembly can be done with the front steering knuckle
remaining on the vehicle.
LOWER CONTROL ARM
If damaged, the lower control arm casting is ser-
viced only as a complete component. Inspect lower
control arm for signs of damage from contact with
the ground or road debris. If lower control arm shows
any sign of damage, inspect lower control arm for
distortion.Do not attempt to repair or straighten
a broken or bent lower control arm.
The serviceable components of the lower control
arm are: the ball joint assembly, ball joint assembly
grease seal and control arm bushings. Inspect both
control arm bushings for severe deterioration, and
replace if required. Inspect ball joint per inspection
procedure in this section of the service manual and
replace if required. Service procedures to replace
these components are detailed in the specific compo-
nent removal and installation sections in this group
of the service manual.
BALL JOINT (LOWER)
With the weight of the vehicle resting on the road
wheels, grasp the grease fitting as shown in (Fig. 5)
and with no mechanical assistance or added force
attempt to rotate the grease fitting.
If the ball joint is worn the grease fitting will
rotate easily. If movement is noted, replacement of
the ball joint is recommended.
STABILIZER BAR
Inspect for broken or distorted sway bar bushings,
bushing retainers, and worn or damaged sway bar to
strut attaching links. If sway bar to front suspension
cradle bushing replacement is required, bushing can
be removed from sway bar by opening slit and peel-
ing bushing off sway bar.
HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
The condition of the front hub and bearing assem-
bly is diagnosed using the inspection and testing pro-
cedure detailed below.
The bearing contained in the Unit III front hub/
bearing assembly will produce noise and vibration
when worn or damaged. The noise will generally
change when the bearings are loaded. A road test of
the vehicle is normally required to determine the
location of a worn or damaged bearing.
Find a smooth level road surface and bring the
vehicle up to a constant speed. When vehicle is at a
constant speed, swerve the vehicle back and forth
from the left and to the right. This will load and
unload the bearings and change the noise level.
Where axle bearing damage is slight, the noise is
usually not noticeable at speeds above 30 m.p.h..
SERVICE PROCEDURES
SUSPENSION CRADLE THREAD REPAIR
PROCEDURE
WARNING: When performing this procedure use
only the thread inserts which are specified in the
Mopar Parts Catalog for this repair procedure.
These thread inserts have been specifically devel-
oped for this application and use of other types of
thread inserts can result in an inferior long term
repair.
The threaded holes in the front suspension cradle,
if damaged, can repaired by installing a Heli-Coilt
thread insert.
The threaded holes that are repairable using the
thread insert, are the lower control arm rear bushing
retainer mounting bolt holes, routing bracket attach-
ing locations for the power steering hoses, and brake
hose attachment holes.
This repair procedure now allows the threaded
holes in the suspension crossmember to be repaired,
eliminating the need to replace the crossmember if
damage occurs to one of the threaded holes.
The thread inserts for this application are specified
by part number in the Mopar Parts Catalog.Do not
use a substitute thread insert.
The specific tools and equipment required to install
the thread insert are listed below. Refer to the
Fig. 5 Checking Ball Joint Wear
2 - 12 SUSPENSIONNS
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

instructions included with the thread insert for the
detailed procedure used for the installation of the
thread insert.
NOTE: The thread inserts for this application are
for the repair of M8x1.25 and M10x1.5 threads. Be
sure the correct tools are used for the required
thread insert size.
TOOL REQUIREMENT FOR M8x1.25 Thread
²8.3mm (5/16 in.) Drill Bit
²120É Countersink
²Heli-CoiltTap #4863-8
²Heli-CoiltGage #4624-8
²Heli-CoiltHand Inserting Tool 7751-8
²Needle Nose Pliers ± For Removal Of Thread
Insert Driving Tang
TOOL REQUIREMENT FOR M10x1.5 Thread
²10.5mm (25/64 in.) Drill Bit
²120É Countersink
²Heli-CoiltTap #4863-10
²Heli-CoiltGage #4624-10
²Heli-CoiltHand Inserting Tool 7751-10
²Needle Nose Pliers ± For Removal Of Thread
Insert Driving Tang
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Mc PHERSON STRUT
REMOVAL
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE NUT FROM THE
STRUT ROD WHILE STRUT ASSEMBLY IS
INSTALLED IN VEHICLE, OR BEFORE STRUT
ASSEMBLY SPRING IS COMPRESSED.
(1) Raise vehicle on jack stands or centered on a
frame contact type hoist. See Hoisting in the Lubri-
cation and Maintenance section of this service man-
ual, for the required lifting procedure to be used for
this vehicle.
(2) Remove the wheel and tire assembly from loca-
tion on front of vehicle requiring strut removal.
(3) If both strut assemblies are to be removed,
mark the strut assemblies right or left according to
which side of the vehicle they were removed from.
(4) Remove the hydraulic brake hose routing
bracket and the speed sensor cable routing bracket
from the strut damper brackets (Fig. 6).
NOTE: When removing nut from stud of stabilizer
bar attaching link, do not allow stud to rotate. Hold
stud from rotating by inserting a Torx Plus 40IP bit
in the end of the stud as shown in (Fig. 7).(5) Remove the stabilizer bar attaching link (Fig.
7) from the bracket on the strut assembly.
CAUTION: The steering knuckle to strut assembly
attaching bolts are serrated and must not be turned
during removal. Remove nuts while holding bolts
stationary in the steering knuckles.
(6) Remove the 2 strut assembly clevis bracket to
steering knuckle attaching bolts (Fig. 8).
(7) Remove the 3 nuts attaching the strut assem-
bly upper mount to the strut tower (Fig. 9).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install strut assembly into strut tower, aligning
and installing the 3 studs on the upper strut mount
into the holes in shock tower. Install the 3 upper
strut mount attaching nut/washer assemblies (Fig.
9). Then using a crow foot. tighten the 3 attaching
nuts to a torque of 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.).
Fig. 6 Brake Hose And Speed Sensor Cable Routing
Fig. 7 Stabilizer Bar Link To Strut Attachment
NSSUSPENSION 2 - 13
SERVICE PROCEDURES (Continued)

(3) Install the rear brake drum on the hub and
bearing assembly.
(4) Install wheel and tire assembly on vehicle.
Tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in proper
sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specifica-
tion. Then repeat the tightening sequence to the full
specified torque of 129 N´m (95 ft. lbs.).
(5) Lower vehicle to the ground.
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY
Mc PHERSON STRUT
DISASSEMBLY
The Mc Pherson Strut must be remove from the
vehicle for it to be disassembled and assembled.
Refer to Mc Pherson Strut in the Removal And
Installation Section in this group of the service man-
ual for the required procedure to remove and install
the Mc Pherson Strut.
(1) Clamp strut assembly in vise, with strut in a
vertical position.Do not clamp reservoir of strut
assembly in vise, only clamp strut assembly
using strut clevis bracket (Fig. 68).
(2) Mark coil spring and strut assembly right or
left, according to which side of vehicle strut was
removed from, and which strut coil spring was
removed from.
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE STRUT ROD NUT,
BEFORE STRUT ASSEMBLY COIL SPRING IS COM-
PRESSED, REMOVING SPRING TENSION FROM
UPPER SPRING SEAT AND BEARING ASSEMBLY.
WARNING: WHEN COMPRESSING COIL SPRING
FOR REMOVAL FROM STRUT ASSEMBLY, THE
UPPER SPRING SEAT AND SECOND COIL OF THECOIL SPRING MUST BE CAPTURED BY THE JAWS
OF THE COIL SPRING COMPRESSOR (Fig. 69).
(3) Compress strut coil spring, using Pentastar
Service Equipment Spring Compressor, 7522A (Fig.
69). Be sure the top and bottom attachment shoe
selected, (Fig. 69) properly fit the coil spring.
(4) Install Socket, Strut Nut, Special Tool 6864 on
the strut shaft retaining nut (Fig. 70). Then install a
10 mm socket on the hex of the strut shaft (Fig. 70).
While holding strut shaft from turning, remove nut
from strut shaft.
(5) Remove the upper mount (Fig. 71) from the
strut shaft and coil spring upper seat.
(6) Release the coil spring from the spring com-
pressor. Remove spring compressor from coil spring
(Fig. 72).
(7) Remove the coil spring upper seat and pivot
bearing (Fig. 72) as an assembly from the coil spring.
Remove the coil spring from the strut.Mark left
Fig. 67 Installing Wheel Stud Into Hub And BearingFig. 68 Strut Assembly Correctly Installed In Vise
Fig. 69 Compressing Strut Assembly Coil Spring
2 - 30 SUSPENSIONNS
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

²Inspect jounce bumper for cracks and signs of
deterioration.
(13) Replace any components of the strut assembly
found to be worn or defective during the inspection,
before re-assembling the strut.
ASSEMBLY
(1) Clamp strut in vise, with strut in vertical posi-
tion.Do not clamp strut in vise by body of strut,
only by the clevis bracket (Fig. 68).
(2) Install the spring isolator on the strut lower
spring seat (Fig. 74). When installing the spring iso-
lator, be sure the 2 retaining tabs on the spring iso-
lator (Fig. 74) are installed in the 2 holes in the
spring seat. When properly installed, the oversize
holes in the spring seat should line up with the holes
in the spring isolator.
(3) Install the jounce bumper (Fig. 75) on the strut
shaft. Jounce bumper is to be installed with the
small end of the jounce bumper pointing down (Fig.
75).
(4) Install dust shield (Fig. 76) on the strut.After
dust shield is installed on strut, collapse dust
shield down on top of jounce bumper until
jounce bumper snaps into dust shield. Then
return the dust shield to its fully extended
length.
(5) Install coil spring on strut. Spring is to be
installed with the end of the bottom coil aligned with
the clevis bracket on the strut assembly (Fig. 77).
(6) Install the upper spring seat on the coil spring
(Fig. 77). Spring seat must be installed with the
notch in the spring seat (Fig. 77) aligned with the
clevis bracket on the strut.
WARNING: WHEN COMPRESSING THE COIL
SPRING, THE COIL SPRING UPPER SEAT AND THE
BOTTOM COIL OF THE SPRING MUST BE CAP-TURED BY THE JAWS OF THE COIL SPRING COM-
PRESSOR.
(7) Compress strut coil spring using Pentastar Ser-
vice Equipment Spring Compressor, 7522A (Fig. 69).
Be sure the top and bottom attachment shoe selected,
(Fig. 69) properly fit the coil spring.
(8) Install the pivot bearing on the top of the
upper spring seat (Fig. 78).Bearing must be
installed on spring seat with the smaller diam-
eter side of the pivot bearing toward the spring
seat (Fig. 78). Also, be sure the pivot bearing is
sitting flat on the spring seat.
(9) Install the strut mount on the upper spring
seat of the strut. Loosely install the nut on strut
shaft.
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING 2 STEPS MUST BE
COMPLETELY DONE BEFORE SPRING COMPRES-
SOR IS RELEASED FROM THE COIL SPRING.
Fig. 75 Correctly Installed Jounce Bumper
Fig. 76 Installing Dust Boot
Fig. 77 Coil Spring And Spring Seat Correctly
Installed
2 - 32 SUSPENSIONNS
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY (Continued)

BASE BRAKE SYSTEM
INDEX
page page
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
CHASSIS TUBES AND HOSES.............. 7
FRONT DISC BRAKE SYSTEM.............. 4
HUB/BEARING REAR WHEEL............... 9
MASTER CYLINDER...................... 7
PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM OPERATION....... 5
POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER
OPERATION........................... 8
PROPORTIONING VALVES................. 5
REAR DISC BRAKES...................... 5
REAR DRUM BRAKES..................... 5
RED BRAKE WARNING LAMP OPERATION..... 8
STOP LAMP SWITCH...................... 9
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
ADJUSTER REAR DRUM BRAKE
(AUTOMATIC)......................... 14
BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION............ 19
BRAKE ROTOR......................... 14
BRAKE SYSTEM BASIC DIAGNOSIS GUIDE.... 9
BRAKE SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS CHARTS....... 10
PROPORTIONING VALVES................ 16
RED BRAKE WARNING LAMP TEST......... 19
STOP LAMP SWITCH TEST PROCEDURE..... 19
TRACTION CONTROL LAMP TEST.......... 19
SERVICE PROCEDURES
BLEEDING BASE BRAKE
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM................... 20
BRAKE DRUM MACHINING................ 24
BRAKE TUBE REPAIR PROCEDURE......... 24
MASTER CYLINDER BLEEDING
PROCEDURE......................... 22
MASTER CYLINDER FLUID LEVEL CHECK.... 20
PARK BRAKE AUTO ADJUSTER
MECHANISM RELEASE................. 26
ROTOR MACHINING (FRONT/REAR)......... 22
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
BRAKE SUPPORT PLATE (REAR DRUM
BRAKES)............................ 37
FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPER............. 27
FRONT DISC BRAKE PADS................ 30
FRONT PARK BRAKE CABLE.............. 65
HUB/BEARING.......................... 40
HYDRAULIC BRAKE TUBES AND HOSES..... 58
INTERMEDIATE PARK BRAKE CABLE....... 66
JUNCTION BLOCK....................... 55
LEFT REAR PARK BRAKE CABLE........... 67
MASTER CYLINDER..................... 44
PARK BRAKE PEDAL MECHANISM.......... 58PARK BRAKE SHOES (WITH REAR DISC
BRAKES)............................ 60
PROPORTIONING VALVE (W/ABS BRAKES) . . . 56
PROPORTIONING VALVE
(W/O ABS BRAKES).................... 57
REAR BRAKE DRUM..................... 33
REAR BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDER........... 39
REAR DISC BRAKE CALIPER.............. 28
REAR DISC BRAKE SHOES................ 31
REAR DRUM BRAKE SHOES............... 34
RIGHT REAR PARK BRAKE CABLE......... 66
STOP LAMP SWITCH..................... 69
VACUUM BOOSTER 2.4 LITER ENGINE...... 47
VACUUM BOOSTER 3.0 LITER ENGINE...... 49
VACUUM BOOSTER 3.3/3.8 LITER ENGINE.... 52
WHEEL AND TIRE INSTALLATION........... 27
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY
FRONT DISC BRAKE CALIPER............. 71
MASTER CYLINDER BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
SWITCH............................. 71
MASTER CYLINDER FLUID RESERVOIR
FILL TUBE............................ 71
MASTER CYLINDER FLUID RESERVOIR...... 70
MASTER CYLINDER TO POWER BRAKE
BOOSTER VACUUM SEAL............... 69
WHEEL CYLINDER REAR DRUM BRAKE...... 76
CLEANING AND INSPECTION
BRAKE HOSE AND BRAKE LINES
INSPECTION.......................... 78
FRONT DISC BRAKE PAD LINING
INSPECTION.......................... 76
REAR DISC BRAKES..................... 76
REAR DRUM BRAKE SHOE LINING
INSPECTION.......................... 77
REAR DRUM BRAKE WHEEL CYLINDER...... 78
REAR WHEEL HUB AND BEARING
ASSEMBLY........................... 78
ADJUSTMENTS
PARK BRAKE CABLE ADJUSTMENT......... 81
PARK BRAKE SHOES (WITH REAR DISC
BRAKES)............................ 79
PROPORTIONING VALVE
(HEIGHT SENSING).................... 81
REAR DRUM BRAKE SHOE ADJUSTMENT.... 79
STOP LAMP SWITCH..................... 78
SPECIFICATIONS
BRAKE ACTUATION SYSTEM.............. 83
BRAKE FASTENER TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS...................... 83
NSBRAKES 5 - 3

brakes. The secondary outlet port supplies hydraulic
pressure to the left front and right rear brakes.
POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER OPERATION
All vehicles use a 270 mm single diaphragm power
brake vacuum booster.
The power brake booster can be identified if
required, by the tag attached to the body of the
booster assembly (Fig. 10). This tag contains the fol-
lowing information: The production part number of
the power booster assembly, the date it was built,
and who was the manufacturer of the power brake
vacuum booster.
NOTE: The power brake booster assembly is not a
repairable component and must be replaced as a
complete assembly if it is found to be faulty in any
way. The check valve located in the power brake
booster (Fig. 10) is not repairable but it can be
replaced as an assembly separate from the power
brake booster.
The power brake booster reduces the amount of
force required by the driver to obtain the necessary
hydraulic pressure to stop vehicle.
The power brake booster is vacuum operated. The
vacuum is supplied from the intake manifold on the
engine through the power brake booster check valve
(Fig. 10) and (Fig. 11).
As the brake pedal is depressed, the power brake
boosters input rod moves forward (Fig. 11). This
opens and closes valves in the power booster, allow-
ing atmospheric pressure to enter on one side of a
diaphragm. Engine vacuum is always present on the
other side. This difference in pressure forces the out-
put rod of the power booster (Fig. 11) out against the
primary piston of the master cylinder. As the pistons
in the master cylinder move forward this creates the
hydraulic pressure in the brake system.The different engine combinations used on this
vehicle require that different vacuum hose routings
to the power brake vacuum booster be used.
All vacuum hoses must be routed from the engine
to the power brake vacuum booster without kinks,
excessively tight bends or potential for damage to the
vacuum hose.
The power brake vacuum booster assembly mounts
on the engine side of the dash panel, and is con-
nected to the brake pedal by the input push rod (Fig.
11). A vacuum line connects the power booster to the
intake manifold. The master cylinder is bolted to the
front of the power brake vacuum booster assembly.
RED BRAKE WARNING LAMP OPERATION
The red Brake warning lamp is located in the
instrument panel cluster and is used to indicate a
low brake fluid condition or that the parking brake is
applied. In addition, the brake warning lamp is
turned on as a bulb check by the ignition switch
every time the ignition switch is turned to the crank
position.
The warning lamp bulb is supplied a 12 volt igni-
tion feed anytime the ignition switch is on. The bulb
is then illuminated by completing the ground circuit
either through the park brake switch, the fluid level
sensor in the master cylinder reservoir, or the igni-
tion switch when it is turned to the crank position.
The Brake Fluid Level sensor is located in the
brake fluid reservoir of the master cylinder assembly.
The purpose of the sensor is to provide the driver
with an early warning that brake fluid level in the
master cylinder fluid reservoir has dropped to below
Fig. 10 Power Brake Booster Identification
Fig. 11 Power Brake Booster Assembly
5 - 8 BRAKESNS
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

normal. This may indicate:(1)Abnormal loss of
brake fluid in the master cylinder fluid reservoir
resulting from a leak in the hydraulic system.(2)
Brake shoe linings which have worn to a point
requiring replacement.
As the brake fluid drops below the minimum level,
the brake fluid level sensor closes to ground the
brake warning light circuit. This will turn on the red
brake warning light. At this time, master cylinder
fluid reservoir should be checked and filled to the full
mark with DOT 3 brake fluid.If brake fluid level
has dropped below the add line in the master
cylinder fluid reservoir, the entire brake
hydraulic system should be checked for evi-
dence of a leak.
STOP LAMP SWITCH
The stop lamp switch controls operation of the
vehicles stop lamps. Also, if the vehicle is equippedwith speed control, the stop lamp switch will deacti-
vate speed control when the brake pedal is
depressed.
The stop lamp switch controls operation of the
right and left tail, stop and turn signal lamp and
CHMSL lamp, by supplying battery current to these
lamps.
The stop lamp switch controls the lamp operation
by opening and closing the electrical circuit to the
stop lamps.
HUB/BEARING REAR WHEEL
The rear hub and bearing assembly used on this
vehicle is serviceable only as a complete assembly. No
attempt should be made to disassemble a rear hub
and bearing assembly in an effort to repair it.
The rear hub and bearing assembly is attached to
the rear axle using 4 mounting bolts that are remov-
able from the back of the rear hub/bearing.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
BRAKE SYSTEM BASIC DIAGNOSIS GUIDE
SYMPTOMCHART 1
MISC.
COND.CHART 2
WARNING
LIGHTCHART 3
POWER
BRAKESCHART 4
BRAKE
NOISECHART 5
WHEEL
BRAKES
Brake Warning Light On X NO NO
Excessive Pedal Travel 6 X NO O
Pedal Goes To The Floor 6 X
Stop Light On Without Brakes 3
All Brakes Drag 5
Rear Brakes Drag 2 NO NO
Grabby Brakes O X
Spongy Brake Pedal X NO
Premature Rear Brake Lockup 4 NO NO O
Excessive Pedal Effort 1 O
Rough Engine Idle NO O
Brake Chatter (Rough) NO NO X
Surge During Braking NO NO X
Noise During Braking NO NO X
Rattle Or Clunking Noise NO NO X
Pedal Pulsates During Braking NO NO X
Pull To Right Or Left NO NO X
No: Not A Possible Cause X: Most Likely Cause O: Possible Cause
NSBRAKES 5 - 9
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

RED BRAKE WARNING LAMP FUNCTION
NSBRAKES 5 - 11
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)