1999 DODGE NEON run flat

CAUTION: Do not install steering wheel onto shaft
of steering column assembly by driving it onto the
shaft. Pull steering wheel down onto steering col-
umn shaft using ONLY the steering wheel retaining
nut.
(13) Feed clock spring wiring leads through hole in
steering wheel (Fig. 20). Position steering wheel on
shaft of steering column assembly, making sure to fit
flats on hub of steering wheel with formations on
inside of clockspring.
(14) Install steering wheel to steering column
shaft retaining nut and tighten until steering wheel
is fully installed on shaft. The tighten steering wheel
retaining nut to a torque of 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.).
(15) Connect the clockspring electrical leads to
components such as horn switches and speed control
switches located in the steering wheel (Fig. 11).
(16) Install air bag electrical lead from clock
spring, into connector on back of air bag module (Fig.
10).Be sure electrical connector from clock-
spring is securely latched into air bag module
connector.
CAUTION: The fasteners, screws, and bolts, origi-
nally used for the air bag components are specifi-
cally designed for the air bag system. They must
never be replaced with any substitutes. Anytime a
new fastener is needed, replace only with correct
fasteners provided in service packages or fasteners
listed in the parts book.
(17) Install air bag module into center of steering
wheel. Align air bag module mounting holes with bolt
holes in steering wheel. Installonly the 2 original
or correct replacementair bag module attachingbolts (Fig. 9). Torque the 2 air bag module attaching
bolts to 10 N´m (90 in. lbs.).
(18) Install key lock cylinder into lock housing.
Key lock cylinder is installed by positioning key cyl-
inder in the run position so retaining tab can be
depressed and the pushing key cylinder into lock hos-
ing until retaining tab locks into key lock cylinder.
(19) Reconnect ground cable to Negative post of
the battery.When reconnecting battery on a
vehicle that has had the air bag module
removed, the following procedure should be
used.
²Remove forward console or cover as necessary.
²Connect DRB II to ASDM diagnostic 6-way con-
nector, located at right side of the ASDM module.
²Turn ignition key to ON position. Exit vehicle
with the DRB II. Install the latest version of the
proper diagnostic cartridge into the DRB II.
²Ensuring that their are no occupants in the
vehicle, connect negative cable to negative post of the
battery.
²Using the DRB II read and record active fault
codes. Also read and record any stored fault codes.
Refer to the Passive Restraint Diagnostic Test Man-
ual if any faults are found.
²Erase stored faults if there are no active fault
codes. If problems remain, fault codes will not erase.
²From the passenger side of the vehicle, turn
ignition key to OFF and then ON observing instru-
ment cluster air bag lamp. It should go on for six to
eight seconds, then go out. This will indicate that the
air bag system is functioning normally.
(20)If air bag warning lamp fails to light,
blinks on and off or goes on and stays on, there
is an air bag system malfunction.Refer to the
Passive Restraint Diagnostic Test Manual to diag-
nose the system malfunction.
(21) Test the operation of the horn, lights and any
other functions that are steering column operated. If
applicable reset the radio and the clock.
(22) Road test vehicle to ensure proper operation
of the steering system and the speed control system.
SPECIFICATIONS
STEERING COLUMN FASTENER TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION TORQUE
Steering Wheel
Retaining Nut...............61N´m(45ft.lbs.)
Steering Column Assembly
Upper And Lower Mounting Bracket
Attaching Nuts...........17N´m(150 in. lbs.)
Fig. 20 Steering Wheel Installation
19 - 42 STEERINGPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

weather temperature varies widely. Tire pressure will
decrease when the outdoor temperature drops.
Inflation pressures specified on the placard are
always the cold inflation pressure of the tire. Cold
inflation pressure is obtained after the vehicle has
not been operated for at least 3 hours, or the vehicle
is driven less than one mile after being inoperative
for 3 hours. Tire inflation pressures may increase
from 2 to 6 pounds per square inch (psi) during oper-
ation. Do not reduce this normal pressure build-up.
WARNING: OVER OR UNDER INFLATED TIRES
CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING. THE TIRE CAN
FAIL SUDDENLY, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE
CONTROL.
TIRE PRESSURE FOR HIGH SPEED OPERATION
Chrysler Corporation advocates driving at safe
speeds within posted speed limits. Where speed lim-
its allow the vehicle to be driven at high speeds, cor-
rect tire inflation pressure is very important. For
speeds up to and including 120 km/h (75 mph), tires
must be inflated to the pressures shown on the tire
placard. For continuous speeds in excess of 120 km/h
(75 mph), tires must be inflated to the maximum
pressure specified on the tire sidewall.
Vehicles loaded to the maximum capacity should
not be driven at continuous speeds above 75 mph
(120 km/h).
For emergency vehicles that are driven at speeds
over 90 mph (144 km/h), special high speed tires
must be used. Consult tire manufacturer for correct
inflation pressure recommendations.
REPLACEMENT TIRES
The original equipment tires provide a proper bal-
ance of many characteristics such as:
²Ride
²Noise
²Handling
²Durability
²Tread life
²Traction
²Rolling resistance
²Speed capability
It is recommend that tires equivalent to the origi-
nal equipment tires be used when replacement is
needed.
Failure to use equivalent replacement tires may
adversely affect the safety and handling of the vehi-
cle.
The use of oversize tires not listed in the specifica-
tion charts may cause interference with vehicle com-
ponents. Under extremes of suspension and steering
travel, interference with vehicle components may
cause tire damage.WARNING: FAILURE TO EQUIP THE VEHICLE WITH
TIRES HAVING ADEQUATE SPEED CAPABILITY
CAN RESULT IN SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
PRESSURE GAUGES
A quality air pressure gauge is recommended to
check tire pressure. After checking the air pressure,
replace valve cap finger tight.
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
Tread wear indicators are molded into the bottom
of the tread grooves. When tread depth is 1.6 mm
(1/16 in.), the tread wear indicators will appear as a
13 mm (1/2 in.) band (Fig. 4).
Tire replacement is necessary when indicators
appear in two or more grooves or if localized balding
occurs.
TIRE WEAR PATTERNS
Under inflation will cause wear on the shoulders of
tire. Over inflation will cause wear at the center of
tire.
Excessive camber causes the tire to run at an
angle to the road. One side of tread is then worn
more than the other (Fig. 5).
Excessive toe-in or toe-out causes wear on the
tread edges and a feathered effect across the tread
(Fig. 5).
Fig. 4 Tread Wear Indicators
PLTIRES AND WHEELS 22 - 3
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

WHEELS
INDEX
page page
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
WHEEL COVER (LOCK-ON)................. 8
WHEEL INFORMATION.................... 8
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
TIRE AND WHEEL RUNOUT................ 9
WHEEL INSPECTION...................... 9
SERVICE PROCEDURES
TIRE AND WHEEL BALANCE............... 10REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
WHEEL AND TIRE....................... 12
WHEEL COVER (LOCK-ON)................ 12
WHEEL COVER RETAINING NUT........... 13
SPECIFICATIONS
WHEEL SPECIFICATIONS................. 14
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
WHEEL INFORMATION
Original equipment wheels are designed for proper
operation at all loads up to the specified maximum
vehicle capacity.
All models use steel or cast aluminum drop center
wheels. Every wheel has raised sections between the
rim flanges and rim drop well called safety humps
(Fig. 1).
Initial inflation of the tires forces the bead over
these raised sections. In case of air loss the raised
sections help hold the tire in position on the wheel
until the vehicle can be brought to a safe stop.
Cast aluminum wheels require special balance
weights to fit on the thicker flange of the rim and
special wheel clamps for the alignment equipment.
The wheel studs and nuts are designed for specific
wheel applications and must be replaced with equiv-
alent parts. Do not use replacement parts of lesser
quality or of a substitute design. All aluminum
wheels use wheel nuts with an enlarged nose. Thisenlarged nose is necessary to ensure proper retention
of the wheels.
Vehicles that are equipped with lock-on wheel cov-
ers use large nose wheel nuts. The wheel nuts are
externally threaded so that the wheel covers can be
attached to the wheel nuts.
Before installing a wheel, remove any buildup of
corrosion on the wheel mounting surface.
WARNING: INSTALLING WHEELS WITHOUT GOOD
METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT COULD CAUSE LOOS-
ENING OF WHEEL LUG NUTS. THIS COULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SAFETY AND HANDLING
OF YOUR VEHICLE.
WHEEL COVER (LOCK-ON)
This vehicle uses a lock-on type wheel cover (Fig.
2) on certain models.
The wheel cover is attached to the wheel using the
5 nuts located in the wheel cover (Fig. 2). The nuts in
the wheel cover thread onto a special externally
threaded wheel nut (Fig. 3) to retain the wheel cover
to the wheel.
Fig. 1 Safety Rim
Fig. 2 Wheel Cover And Retaining Nut
22 - 8 TIRES AND WHEELSPL

The wheel cover retaining nut (Fig. 2) is retained
in the wheel cover and will stay on the wheel cover
when un-threaded from the wheel nut. If required,
the retaining nut can be removed from the wheel
cover and replaced as a separate part of the wheel
cover.
The lock-on wheel cover can not be removed from
the wheel until all 5 wheel cover retaining nuts are
un-threaded from the wheel nuts. Then the lock-on
wheel cover can be removed by hand from the wheel.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
WHEEL INSPECTION
Inspect wheels for:
²Excessive run out
²Dents or cracks
²Damaged wheel lug nut holes
²Air Leaks from any area or surface of the rim
NOTE: Do not attempt to repair a wheel by ham-
mering, heating or welding.
If a wheel is damaged an original equipment
replacement wheel should be used. When obtaining
replacement wheels, they should be equivalent in
load carrying capacity. The diameter, width, offset,
pilot hole and bolt circle of the wheel should be the
same as the original wheel.
WARNING: FAILURE TO USE EQUIVALENT
REPLACEMENT WHEELS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT
THE SAFETY AND HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE.
USED WHEELS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED. THE
SERVICE HISTORY OF THE WHEEL MAY HAVE
INCLUDED SEVERE TREATMENT OR VERY HIGH
MILEAGE. THE RIM COULD FAIL WITHOUT WARN-
ING.
TIRE AND WHEEL RUNOUT
NOTE: Runout should always be measured off the
vehicle and on a suitable balance machine.Radial run out is the difference between the high
and low points on the outer edge of the tire or wheel.
Lateral run out is the total side±to±side wobble of
the tire or wheel.
Radial run out of more than 1.5 mm (.060 inch)
measured at the center line of the tread may cause
the vehicle to shake.
Lateral run out of more than 2.0 mm (.080 inch)
measured at the side of the tire as close to the tread
as possible may cause the vehicle to shake.
Sometimes radial run out can be reduced by relo-
cating the wheel and tire on the wheel studs (See
Method 1). If this does not reduce run out to an
acceptable level, the tire can be rotated on the wheel.
(See Method 2).
METHOD 1 (RELOCATE WHEEL ON HUB)
Check accuracy of the wheel mounting surface;
adjust wheel bearings.
Drive vehicle a short distance to eliminate tire flat
spotting from a parked position.
Verify all wheel nuts are tightened and properly
torqued in the correct sequence (Fig. 4).
Use run out gauge D-128-TR to determine run out
(Fig. 5).
Fig. 3 Wheel Nut And Wheel Cover Retaining Nut
Fig. 4 Tightening Wheel Nuts
Fig. 5 Run Out Gauge
PLTIRES AND WHEELS 22 - 9
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)