INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS
page page
GENERAL INFORMATION
BODY CODE PLATE...................... 1
FASTENER IDENTIFICATION................ 4
INTERNATIONAL VEHICLE CONTROL AND
DISPLAY SYMBOLS..................... 4METRIC SYSTEM........................ 7
TORQUE REFERENCES................... 7
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.......... 1
VEHICLE SAFETY CERTIFICATION LABEL..... 1
VIN CHECK DIGIT........................ 1
GENERAL INFORMATION
VEHICLE SAFETY CERTIFICATION LABEL
A vehicle safety certification label (Fig. 1) is located
on the rear shut face of the driver's door. This label
indicates date of manufacture (month and year),
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) front, Gross Axle Weight Rat-
ing (GAWR) rear and the Vehicle Identification Num-
ber (VIN). The Month, Day and Hour of manufacture
is also included.
When it is necessary to contact the manufacturer
regarding service or warranty, the information on the
Vehicle Safety Certification Label would be required.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can be
viewed through the windshield at the upper left cor-
ner of the instrument panel, near the left windshield
pillar (Fig. 2). The VIN consists of 17 characters in a
combination of letters and numbers that provide spe-
cific information about the vehicle. Refer to VIN
Code Breakdown Chart for decoding information.
VIN CHECK DIGIT
To protect the consumer from theft and possible
fraud, the manufacturer is required to include a
Check Digit at the ninth position of the Vehicle Iden-
tification Number. The check digit is used by the
manufacturer and government agencies to verify the
authenticity of the vehicle and official documenta-
tion. The formula to use the check digit is not
released to the general public.
BODY CODE PLATE
LOCATION AND DECODING
The Body Code Plate (Fig. 3) is located in the
engine compartment on the radiator closure panel
crossmember. There are seven lines of information on
the body code plate. Lines 4, 5, 6, and 7 are not used
to define service information. Information reads from
left to right, starting with line 3 in the center of the
plate to line 1 at the bottom of the plate.Fig. 1 Vehicle Safety Certification Label
Fig. 2 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN Plate)
NSINTRODUCTION 1
BODY CODE PLATE ± LINE 3
DIGITS 1 THROUGH 12
Vehicle Order Number
DIGITS 13 THROUGH 17
Open space
DIGITS 18 AND 19
Vehicle Shell Line
²NSDIGIT 20
Carline
FWD
²H = Plymouth
²K = Dodge
²S = Chrysler
AW D
²C = Chrysler
²D = Dodge
²P = Plymouth
VIN CODE BREAKDOWN CHART
POSITION INTERPRETATION CODE = DESCRIPTION
1 Country of Origin 1 = United States
2 = Canada
2 Make B = Dodge
C = Chrysler
P = Plymouth
3 Vehicle Type 4 = Multipurpose Pass. Vehicle
4 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating G = 2268 - 2721 kg (5001 - 6000 lbs)
5 Car Line P = Chrysler, Town & Country
P = Dodge, Caravan/Grand Caravan
P = Plymouth, Voyager/Grand Voyager
T = AWD Chrysler, Town & Country
T = AWD Dodge, Grand Caravan
T = AWD Plymouth, Grand Voyager
6 Series 2 = FWD Caravan/Grand Caravan, Voyager/
Grand Voyager
4 = Caravan SE/Grand Caravan SE, Voyager
SE/Grand Voyager SE
5 = Caravan LE or ES/Grand Caravan LE or ES,
Voyager LE/Grand Voyager LE, Town & Country
LX
6 = Town & Country LXI
7 Body Style 4 = Long Wheel Base
5 = Short Wheel Base
8 Engine B = 2.4 L 4 cyl. MPI 16-VALVE DOHC
3 = 3.0 L 6 cyl. gas MPI
R = 3.3L 6 cyl. gas MPI
L = 3.8 L 6 cyl. gas MPI
9 Check Digit See explanation in this section.
10 Model Year V = 1997
11 Assembly Plant B = St. Louis South
R = Windsor
12 thru 17 Sequence Number 6 digit number assigned by assembly plant.
2 INTRODUCTIONNS
GENERAL INFORMATION (Continued)
DIGITS 16, 17, AND 18
Vehicle Shell Car Line
²GSYH = Voyager/Grand Voyager SE FWD
²GSYP = Voyager/Grand Voyager LE FWD
²GSYS = Voyager LX FWD
²GSCP = Voyager/Grand Voyager LE AWD
²GSCS = Voyager LX AWD
DIGIT 19
Price Class
²H = High Line
²P = Premium
²S = Special/SportDIGITS 20 AND 21
Body Type
²52 = Short Wheel Base
²53 = Long Wheel Base
BODY CODE PLATEÐLINE 2
DIGITS 1,2, AND 3
Paint Procedure
DIGIT 4
Open Space
VIN DECODING INFORMATION
POSITION INTERPRETATION CODE = DESCRIPTION
1 Country of origin 1 = United States or Austria
2 = Canada
2 Make C = Chrysler
D = Dodge
3 Vehicle Type 4 = Multipurpose Pass. Veh.
4 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating G = 2268-2721 kg (5001-6000 lbs)
5 Car Line C = Voyager/Grand Voyager AWD
Y = Voyager/Grand Voyager FWD
6 Series 4 = Voyager/Grand Voyager SE FWD
5 = Voyager/Grand Voyager LE FWD/AWD
6 = Voyager LX FWD/AWD
N = 5-Speed Manual Transmission
B = 4-Speed Automatic Transmission
7 Body Style 2 = Short Wheelbase 4-Door
3 = Short Wheelbase 3-Door
4 = Long Wheelbase Premium 4-Door
5 = Long Wheelbase Highline 4-door
7 = Short Wheelbase Commercial Van
8 Engine B = 2.4 L 4cyl. MPI 16-Valve DOHC
C = 2.0L 4cyl. MPI 16-Valve SOHC
M = 2.5L 4cyl Turbo Diesel (Intercooler)
R = 3.3 L 6 cyl. gas MPI
L = 3.8 L 6 cyl. gas MPI
9 Check Digit See explanation in this section.
10 Model Year W = 1998
11 Assembly Plant B = St. Louis South, U.S.A.
R = Windsor, Canada
U = Graz, Austria
12 Build Sequence 6 Digit number assigned by assembly plant
2 INTRODUCTIONNS/GS
GENERAL INFORMATION (Continued)
DISCONNECT CABLE CLAMPS AS FOLLOWS:
²Disconnect BLACK cable clamp from engine
ground on disabled vehicle.
²When using a Booster vehicle, disconnect
BLACK cable clamp from battery negative terminal.
Disconnect RED cable clamp from battery positive
terminal.
²Disconnect RED cable clamp from battery posi-
tive terminal on disabled vehicle.
TOWING RECOMMENDATIONS
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
WARNING: DO NOT ALLOW TOWING ATTACH-
MENT DEVICES TO CONTACT THE FUEL TANK OR
LINES, FUEL LEAK CAN RESULT.
DO NOT LIFT OR TOW VEHICLE BY FRONT OR
REAR BUMPER, OR BUMPER ENERGY ABSORBER
UNITS.
DO NOT GO UNDER A LIFTED VEHICLE IF NOT
SUPPORTED PROPERLY ON SAFETY STANDS.
DO NOT ALLOW PASSENGERS TO RIDE IN A
TOWED VEHICLE.
USE A SAFETY CHAIN THAT IS INDEPENDENT
FROM THE TOWING ATTACHMENT DEVICE.
CAUTION: Do not damage brake lines, exhaust sys-
tem, shock absorbers, sway bars, or any other
under vehicle components when attaching towing
device to vehicle.
Do not attach towing device to front or rear sus-
pension components.
Do not secure vehicle to towing device by the use
of front or rear suspension or steering components.
Remove or secure loose or protruding objects
from a damaged vehicle before towing.
Refer to state and local rules and regulations
before towing a vehicle.
Do not allow weight of towed vehicle to bear on
lower fascia, air dams, or spoilers.
RECOMMENDED TOWING EQUIPMENT
To avoid damage to bumper fascia and air dams
use of a flat bed towing device or wheel lift (Fig. 2) is
recommended. When using a wheel lift towing device,
be sure the disabled vehicle has at least 100 mm (4
in.) ground clearance. If minimum ground clearance
cannot be reached, use a towing dolly. If a flat bed
device is used, the approach angle should not exceed
15 degrees.
GROUND CLEARANCE
CAUTION: If vehicle is towed with wheels
removed, install lug nuts to retain brake drums or
rotors.
A towed vehicle should be raised until the lifted
wheels are a minimum 100 mm (4 in.) from the
ground. Be sure there is at least 100 mm (4 in.)
clearance between the tail pipe and the ground. If
necessary, remove the wheels from the lifted end of
the vehicle and lower the vehicle closer to the
ground, to increase the ground clearance at the rear
of the vehicle. Install lug nuts on wheel attaching
studs to retain brake drums or rotors.
LOCKED VEHICLE TOWING
When a locked vehicle must be towed with the
front wheels on the ground, use a towing dolly or flat
bed hauler.
FLAT TOWING WITH TOW BAR
²3-speed automatic transaxle vehicles can be flat
towed at speeds not to exceed 40 km/h (25 mph) for
not more than 25 km (15 miles). The steering column
must be unlocked and gear selector in neutral.
²4-speed electronic automatic transaxle vehicles
can be flat towed at speeds not to exceed 72 km/h (44
mph) for not more than 160 km (100 miles). The
steering column must be unlocked and gear selector
in neutral.
FLAT BED TOWING TIE DOWNS
CAUTION: Do not tie vehicle down by attaching
chains or cables to suspension components or
engine mounts, damage to vehicle can result.
NS vehicles can be tied to a flat bed device using
the reinforced loops located under the front and rear
bumpers on the drivers side of the vehicle. There are
also four reinforced elongated holes for T or R-hooks
located on the bottom of the front frame rail torque
Fig. 2 Recommended Towing Devices
0 - 8 LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCENS
SERVICE PROCEDURES (Continued)
JUMP STARTING, HOISTING AND TOWING
INDEX
page
SERVICE PROCEDURES
TOWING RECOMMENDATIONS............. 5
SERVICE PROCEDURES
TOWING RECOMMENDATIONS
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
WARNING: DO NOT ALLOW TOWING ATTACH-
MENT DEVICES TO CONTACT THE FUEL TANK OR
LINES, FUEL LEAK CAN RESULT.
DO NOT LIFT OR TOW VEHICLE BY FRONT OR
REAR BUMPER, OR BUMPER ENERGY ABSORBER
UNITS.
DO NOT GO UNDER A LIFTED VEHICLE IF NOT
SUPPORTED PROPERLY ON SAFETY STANDS.
DO NOT ALLOW PASSENGERS TO RIDE IN A
TOWED VEHICLE.
USE A SAFETY CHAIN THAT IS INDEPENDENT
FROM THE TOWING ATTACHMENT DEVICE.
CAUTION: Do not damage brake lines, exhaust sys-
tem, shock absorbers, sway bars, or any other
under vehicle components when attaching towing
device to vehicle.
Do not attach towing device to front or rear sus-
pension components.
Do not secure vehicle to towing device by the use
of front or rear suspension or steering components.
Remove or secure loose or protruding objects
from a damaged vehicle before towing.
Refer to state and local rules and regulations
before towing a vehicle.
Do not allow weight of towed vehicle to bear on
lower fascia, air dams, or spoilers.
RECOMMENDED TOWING EQUIPMENT
To avoid damage to bumper fascia and air dams
use of a flat bed towing device or wheel lift (Fig. 1) is
recommended. When using a wheel lift towing device,
be sure the disabled vehicle has at least 100 mm (4
in.) ground clearance. If minimum ground clearance
cannot be reached, use a towing dolly. If a flat bed
device is used, the approach angle should not exceed
15 degrees.
GROUND CLEARANCE
CAUTION: If vehicle is towed with wheels
removed, install lug nuts to retain brake drums or
rotors.
A towed vehicle should be raised until the lifted
wheels are a minimum 100 mm (4 in.) from the
ground. Be sure there is at least 100 mm (4 in.)
clearance between the tail pipe and the ground. If
necessary, remove the wheels from the lifted end of
the vehicle and lower the vehicle closer to the
ground, to increase the ground clearance at the rear
of the vehicle. Install lug nuts on wheel attaching
studs to retain brake drums or rotors.
LOCKED VEHICLE TOWING
When a locked vehicle must be towed with the
front wheels on the ground, use a towing dolly or flat
bed hauler.
FLAT TOWING WITH TOW BAR
²4-speed electronic automatic transaxle vehicles
can be flat towed at speeds not to exceed 72 km/h (44
mph) for not more than 160 km (100 miles). The
steering column must be unlocked and gear selector
in neutral.
FLAT BED TOWING TIE DOWNS
CAUTION: Do not tie vehicle down by attaching
chains or cables to suspension components or
engine mounts, damage to vehicle can result.
Fig. 1 Recommended Towing Devices
NS/GSLUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE 0 - 5
mounting location of the vehicle's suspension compo-
nents throughout the design and assembly processes
of the vehicle. This is called a Net Build vehicle and
results in no normal requirement to adjustment the
Caster and Camber after a vehicle is built or when
servicing the suspension components. Thus Caster
and Camber are not normally considered an adjust-
able specification when performing an alignment on
this vehicle. Though Caster and Camber are not
adjustable they should be checked during the align-
ment procedure to ensure they meet the manufactur-
ers specifications.
If front camber does not meet the vehicle align-
ment specifications, it can be adjusted using a Mopar
Service Kit developed to allow for camber adjust-
ment. If a vehicle's front camber does not meet
required specifications, the vehicles suspension com-
ponents should be inspected for any signs of damage
or bending and the vehicle ride height should be
checked to verify it is within required specification.
This inspection must be done before using the
Mopar Service Kit for setting camber to the
vehicle specification.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to adjust the vehicles
Caster or Camber by heating, bending or by per-
forming any other modification to the vehicle's front
suspension components.
(1) Correctly position the vehicle on the alignment
rack. Then install all required alignment equipment
on the vehicle, per the alignment equipment manu-
facturers specifications.
NOTE: Prior to reading each alignment specifica-
tion, front and rear of vehicle should be jounced an
equal number of times. Induce jounce (rear first
then front) by grasping center of bumper and jounc-
ing each end of vehicle an equal number of times.
Bumper should always be released when vehicle is
at the bottom of the jounce cycle.
(2) Correctly jounce vehicle and then read the
vehicle's current front and rear alignment settings.
Compare the vehicle's current alignment settings to
the vehicle specifications for camber, caster and Toe-
in. See Alignment Specifications in this group of the
service manual for the required specifications.If
front and rear camber readings are within
required specifications proceed to step Step 3
for the Toe-in adjustment procedure if
required. If Camber readings are not within
specifications refer to step Step 1 in the front
camber adjustment cam bolt adjustment proce-
dure.CAMBER ADJUSTMENT CAM BOLT PACKAGE INSTALLATION
PROCEDURE
(1) If the front camber readings obtained are not
within the vehicle's specifications, use the following
procedure and the Mopar Clevis Bolt Service Kit to
provide camber adjustment. The kit contains 2 flange
bolts, 2 cam bolts, and 2 dog bone washers. These
components of the service kit are necessary to assem-
ble the strut to the steering knuckle, after modifica-
tion of the strut clevis bracket.
(2) Verify that the strut and steering knuckle are
not bent or otherwise damaged. If either component
is bent or show other signs of damage, replace
required component(s) and check the camber setting
again. Refer to Strut Damper Assembly Service in
this group of the service manual for the required
strut replacement procedure.
(3) If no component is bent or damaged, use the
following procedure for modifying the strut clevis
bracket and adjusting the camber setting.
(4) Raise front of vehicle until tires are not sup-
porting the weight of the vehicle. Then remove wheel
and tire assembly from the location on the vehicle
requiring the strut to be modified.
CAUTION: When removing the steering knuckle
from the strut clevis bracket, do not put a strain on
the brake flex hose. Also, do not let the weight of
the steering knuckle assembly be supported by the
brake flex hose when removed from the strut
assembly. If necessary use a wire hanger to sup-
port the steering knuckle assembly or if required
remove the brake flex hose from the caliper assem-
bly.
CAUTION: The steering knuckle strut assembly
attaching bolts are serrated and must not be turned
during removal. Remove nuts while holding bolts
stationary in the steering knuckles.
(5) Remove the top and bottom, strut clevis
bracket to steering knuckle attaching bolts (Fig. 2)
and discard. Separate the steering knuckle from the
strut clevis bracket and position steering knuckle so
it is out of the way of the strut.
CAUTION: When slotting the bottom mounting
hole on the strut clevis bracket, do not enlarge the
hole beyond the indentations (Fig. 3) on the sides
of the strut clevis bracket.
NSSUSPENSION 2 - 5
SERVICE PROCEDURES (Continued)
(6) Using an appropriate grinder and grinding
wheel slot the bottom hole (Fig. 3) in both sides of
the strut clevis bracket.When grinding slot do not
go beyond the indentation area on the sides of
the clevis bracket (Fig. 3).
CAUTION: After slotting the strut clevis bracket
hole, do not install the original attaching bolts when
assembling the steering knuckle to the strut assem-
bly. Only the flange bolts, cam bolts, and dog bone
washers from the Mopar Clevis Bolt Service Kit, can
be used to attach the steering knuckle to the strut
after the mounting hole is slotted.
(7) Install the flanged bolt (Fig. 4) from the Mopar
Clevis Bolt Service Kit, into the top clevis bracket to
steering knuckle mounting hole. Install the cam bolt
(Fig. 4) into the bottom clevis bracket to steering
knuckle mounting hole.
(8) Install the dog bone washer (Fig. 5) on the
steering knuckle to strut clevis bracket attachingbolts. Then install the nuts from the original attach-
ing bolts onto the replacement bolts from the service
kit. Tighten the bolts just enough to hold the steering
knuckle in position when adjusting camber, while
still allowing the steering knuckle to move in clevis
bracket.
(9) Lower vehicle until the full weight of the vehi-
cle is supported by the vehicles' suspension. Then
correctly jounce the front and rear of vehicle an equal
amount of times.
(10) Adjust the front camber to the preferred set-
ting by rotating the lower eccentric cam bolt (Fig. 6)
against the cam stop areas on the strut clevis
bracket. When camber is correctly set, tighten the
upper strut clevis bracket bolt and lower cam bolt.
Again jounce front and rear of vehicle an equal
amount of times and verify front camber setting. See
Alignment Specifications in this group of the service
manual for required specifications.
Fig. 2 Clevis Bracket To Steering Knuckle Attaching
Bolts
Fig. 3 Strut Clevis Bracket Bolt Hole Grinding Area
Fig. 4 Mopar Service Kit Bolts Correctly Installed
Fig. 5 Dog Bone Washer And Nuts Installed On
Attaching Bolts
2 - 6 SUSPENSIONNS
SERVICE PROCEDURES (Continued)
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)