1999 DODGE NEON ABS

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
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
VENTURE UNDER A LIFTED VEHICLE IF NOT SUP-
PORTED PROPERLY ON SAFETY STANDS. DO NOT
ALLOW PASSENGERS TO RIDE IN A TOWED VEHI-
CLE. USE A SAFETY CHAIN THAT IS INDEPENDENT
FROM THE TOWING ATTACHMENT DEVICE.
CAUTION: Do not damage brake lines, exhaust
system, 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 suspension 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 wheel lift or flat bed towing device (Fig. 2) is
recommended. When using a wheel lift towing device,
be sure the unlifted end of 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 lifted wheels
are a minimum 100 mm (4 in) from the ground. Be
sure there is adequate ground clearance at the oppo-
site end of the vehicle, especially when towing overrough terrain or steep rises in the road. 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 opposite end 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.
²5-speed manual transaxle vehicles can be flat
towed at any legal highway speed for extended dis-
tances. The gear selector must be in the neutral posi-
tion.
TOWINGÐFRONT WHEEL LIFT
Chrysler Corporation recommends that a vehicle be
towed with the front end lifted, whenever possible.
TOWINGÐREAR WHEEL LIFT
If a vehicle cannot be towed with the front wheels
lifted, the rear wheels can be lifted provided the fol-
lowing guide lines are observed.
CAUTION: Do not use steering column lock to
secure steering wheel during towing operation.
²Unlock steering column and secure steering
wheel in straight ahead position with a clamp device
designed for towing.
²Verify that front drive line and steering compo-
nents are in good condition.
²5-speed manual transaxle vehicles can be towed
at any legal highway speed for extended distances.
The gear selector must be in the neutral position.
²3-speed automatic transaxle vehicles can be
towed at speeds not to exceed 40 km/h (25 mph) for
Fig. 2 Recommended Towing Devices
0 - 8 LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCEPL
SERVICE PROCEDURES (Continued)

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 the vehicle to the ground.
(6) With suspension supporting the full weight of
the vehicle, securely tighten the stabilizer bar
retainer to frame rail attaching bolts (Fig. 11).
KNUCKLE
REMOVE
(1) Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a
frame contact type hoist. See Hoisting in the Lubri-
cation and Maintenance section of this manual, for
the required lifting procedure to be used for this
vehicle.
(2) Remove the rear wheel and tire.
(3) If vehicle is equipped with rear disc brakes,
remove the rear caliper from the adapter. Refer to
Rear Disk Brakes in Group 5 Brakes of this Service
manual for required caliper removal procedure. After
removing the caliper, store the caliper by hanging it
from frame of the vehicle (Fig. 14). Do not let weight
of rear caliper hang from flexible brake hose.
(4) If vehicle is equipped with rear disc brakes,
remove rotor from hub. If vehicle is equipped with
rear drum brakes, remove brake drum from hub.
(5) If vehicle is equipped with ABS brakes, remove
wheel speed sensor from rear disc brake adapter
(Fig. 15).
(6) Remove rear hub/bearing retaining nut (Fig.
16). Then remove the hub/bearing from the knuckle.(7) If vehicle is equipped with rear drum brakes
remove the 4 bolts (Fig. 17) attaching rear brake sup-
port plate to knuckle. Then remove brake support
plate, brake shoes and wheel cylinder as an assembly
from rear knuckle (Fig. 17).It is not necessary to
remove brake flex hose from wheel cylinder
when removing support plate.Brake support
plate when removed, must be supported in same
manner as caliper assembly.
(8) On vehicles equipped with rear disc brakes,
remove the 4 bolts attaching disc brake adapter to
rear knuckle (Fig. 18). Then remove the adapter,
rotor shield, park brake shoes and park brake cable
as an assembly from knuckle.
CAUTION: The knuckle to strut assembly attaching
bolts are serrated and must not be turned during
removal. Loosen and remove nuts while holding
bolts stationary in knuckle.
Fig. 14 Storing Rear Caliper
Fig. 15 Speed Sensor Head Attachment To Disc
Brake Adapter
Fig. 16 Hub/ Bearing Retaining Nut
2 - 46 SUSPENSIONPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(4) Install tension strut bushing, tension strut
retainer and nut on tension strut (Fig. 21).When
installing tension strut retainers, the retainers
must be installed on tension strut, with cupped
side of retainer facing away from bushing and
knuckle (Fig. 21).
(5) Position a large adjustable wrench on flat of
tension strut to keep it from turning, (Fig. 22) and
then torque tension strut nut to 95 N´m (70 ft. lbs.).
(6) On vehicles equipped with rear drum brakes,
install rear brake support plate assembly onto the
knuckle (Fig. 17). Install the 4 bolts (Fig. 17) attach-
ing rear brake support plate to rear knuckle. Torque
attaching bolts to 68 N´m (50 ft. lbs.).
(7) On vehicles equipped with rear disc brakes,
install the disc brake adapter on knuckle (Fig. 18)
Install the 4 bolts attaching the disc brake adapter to
knuckle (Fig. 18). Torque attaching bolts to 68 N´m
(50 ft. lbs.).(8) If vehicle is equipped with ABS brakes, install
speed sensor head into rear brake support plate or
disc brake adapter (Fig. 15). Tighten wheel speed
sensor mounting bolt to a torque of 7 N´m (60 in.
lbs.).
CAUTION: The hub/bearing retaining nut must be
tightened to but must not exceed its required
torque specification. The proper torque specifica-
tion of the retaining nut is critical to the life of the
hub bearing.
(9) Install rear hub and bearing assembly on
knuckle. Install hub and bearing assembly retaining
nut (Fig. 16), and torque to 217 N´m (160 ft. lbs).
(10) If vehicle is equipped with rear disc brakes,
install rear braking disc on hub. If vehicle is
equipped with rear drum brakes, install the brake
drum on hub.
(11) If vehicle is equipped with rear disc brakes,
install rear braking disc on hub. Carefully install
rear brake caliper over braking disc and install on
adapter. Tighten the caliper assembly to adapter
mounting bolts to 22 N´m (192 in. lbs.). Refer to Rear
Disc Brakes in Group 5 Brakes in this service man-
ual for required caliper installation procedure.
(12) 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 135 N´m (100 ft. lbs.).
(13) Lower vehicle.
(14) With suspension supporting total weight of
vehicle, and lateral links at correct curb height,
torque both lateral link attaching bolts to 95 N´m (70
ft. lbs.).
(15) Check and reset rear wheel TOE to specifica-
tions if required. Refer to Front And Rear Toe Setting
Procedure in the Wheel Alignment Check And
Adjustment section in this group of the service man-
ual for the required Toe setting procedure.
LATERAL LINKS
The rear suspension lateral links (Fig. 23) are only
serviced as complete assemblies. The isolator bush-
ings used in the lateral links are not serviced as sep-
arate components. The rear lateral link assemblies
are unique, having different size bushings to accom-
modate the rear Toe adjustment cams. The rearward
lateral links, must be installed with small bushing
sleeve at knuckle and large bushing sleeve at rear
crossmember. This is required to accommodate the
rear Toe adjustment cam.
REMOVE
(1) Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a
frame contact type hoist. See Hoisting in the Lubri-
Fig. 21 Tension Strut Bushings Installed On Tension
Strut
Fig. 22 Torquing Tension Strut Nut
2 - 48 SUSPENSIONPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

the jounce and rebound travel of the front suspen-
sion.
On vehicles equipped with ABS brakes, the outer
C/V joint is equipped with a tone wheel used to
determine vehicle speed for ABS brake operation.
The inner tripod joint of both driveshafts is splined
into the transaxle side gears. The inner tripod joints
are retained in the side gears of the transaxle using
a snap ring located in the stub shaft of the tripod
joint. The outer C/V joint has a stub shaft that is
splined into the wheel hub and retained by a hub nut
using a nut lock and cotter pin.
NOTE: This vehicle does not use a rubber±lip bear-
ing seal as on previous front±wheel±drive cars to
prevent contamination of the front wheel bearing.
On these vehicles, the face of the outer C/V joint
fits deeply into the steering knuckle, using a close
outer C/V joint±to±steering knuckle fit. This design
deters direct water splash on bearing seal while
allowing any water that gets in, to run out the bot-
tom of the steering knuckle bearing bore. It is
important to thoroughly clean the outer C/V joint
and the wheel bearing area in the steering knuckle
before it is assembled after servicing.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DRIVESHAFT DIAGNOSIS
VEHICLE INSPECTION
(1) Check for grease in the vicinity of the inboard
tripod joint and outboard C/V joint; this is a sign of
inner or outer joint seal boot or seal boot clamp dam-
age.
(2) A light film of grease may appear on the right
inner tripod joint seal boot; this is considered normal
and should not require replacement of the seal boot.
The right inner tripod joint seal boot is made of sili-
cone rubber; which will allow the weeping (sweating)
of the joint lubricant to pass through it while in oper-
ation.
NOISE AND/OR VIBRATION IN TURNS
A clicking noise and/or a vibration in turns could
be caused by one of the following conditions.
(1) Damaged outer C/V or inner tripod joint seal
boot or seal boot clamps. This will result in the loss
and/or contamination of the joint grease, resulting in
inadequate lubrication of the joint.
(2) Noise may also be caused by another compo-
nent of the vehicle coming in contact with the drive-
shafts.
CLUNKING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION
This noise may be a result of one of the following
conditions:
(1) A torn seal boot on the inner or outer joint of
the driveshaft assembly.
(2) A loose or missing clamp on the inner or outer
joint of the driveshaft assembly.
(3) A damaged or worn driveshaft C/V joint.
SHUDDER OR VIBRATION DURING
ACCELERATION
(1) A worn or damaged driveshaft inner tripod
joint.
(2) A sticking tripod joint spider assembly (inner
tripod joint only).
(3) Improper wheel alignment. See Wheel Align-
ment in this group for alignment checking and set-
ting procedures and specifications.
VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS
(1) Foreign material (mud, etc.) packed on the
backside of the wheel(s).
(2) Out of balance front tires or wheels. See Group
22, Wheels And Tires for the required balancing pro-
cedure.
(3) Improper tire and/or wheel runout. See Group
22, Wheels And Tires for the required runout check-
ing procedure.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
FRONT DRIVESHAFTS
CAUTION: Boot sealing is vital to retain special
lubricants and to prevent foreign contaminants
from entering the C/V joint. Mishandling, such as
allowing the assemblies to dangle unsupported, or
pulling or pushing the ends can cut boots or dam-
age C/V joints. During removal and installation pro-
cedures, always support both ends of the driveshaft
to prevent damage.
REMOVAL
CAUTION: The driveshaft, when installed, acts as a
bolt and secures the front hub/bearing assembly. If
vehicle is to be supported or moved on its wheels
with a driveshaft removed, install a PROPER±SIZED
BOLT AND NUT through front hub. Tighten bolt and
nut to 203 N´m (150 ft. lbs.). This will ensure that
the hub bearing cannot loosen.
(1) Remove cotter pin, nut lock, and spring washer
(Fig. 2) from the end of the outer C/V joint stub axle.
(2) Loosen (but do not remove) stub axle±to±hub/
bearing retaining nut (Fig. 3). Loosen hub nut while
3 - 2 DIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVELINEPL
GENERAL INFORMATION (Continued)

(9) Insert a trim stick between the tripod joint and
the sealing boot to vent inner tripod joint assembly
(Fig. 33).When inserting trim stick between tri-
pod housing and sealing boot, ensure trim stick
is held flat and firmly against the tripod hous-
ing. If this is not done, damage to the sealing
boot can occur.If inner tripod joint has a Hytrel
(hard plastic) sealing boot, be sure trim stick is
inserted between soft rubber insert and tripod hous-
ing, and not the hard plastic sealing boot and soft
rubber insert.
(10) With trim stick inserted between sealing boot
and tripod joint housing, position inner tripod joint
on driveshaft until correct sealing boot edge to edge
length is obtained for type of sealing boot material
being used (Fig. 34) (Fig. 35). Then remove the trim
stick.
(11) Clamp tripod joint sealing boot to tripod joint
using required procedure for type of boot clamp
application. If seal boot uses crimp type boot clamp,clamp sealing boot onto tripod housing using crimper,
Special Tool C-4975-A. Place crimping tool C- 4975-A
over bridge of clamp (Fig. 36). Tighten nut on crimp-
ing tool C- 4975-A until jaws on tool are closed com-
pletely together, face±to±face (Fig. 37).
(12) If seal boot uses low profile latching type boot
clamp, clamp sealing boot onto tripod housing using
clamp locking tool, Snap-OntYA3050 (or an equiva-
lent). Place prongs of clamp locking tool in the holes
of the clamp (Fig. 38). Squeeze tool together until top
band of clamp is latched behind the two tabs on
lower band of clamp (Fig. 39).
(13) Install the driveshaft requiring boot replace-
ment back on the vehicle. See Servicing Driveshaft in
this section for the required driveshaft installation
procedure.
Fig. 33 Trim Stick Inserted for Venting Tripod Joint
Fig. 34 Sealing Boot End to End Length with Hytrel
Boot
Fig. 35 Sealing Boot End to End Length with
Silicone Boot
Fig. 36 Crimping Tool Installed on Sealing Boot
Clamp
3 - 12 DIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVELINEPL
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY (Continued)

BRAKES
CONTENTS
page page
ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM±TEVES MARK 20 . 69
BASE BRAKE SYSTEM..................... 2GENERAL INFORMATION................... 1
GENERAL INFORMATION
INDEX
page
GENERAL INFORMATION
BASE BRAKE SYSTEM DESCRIPTION........ 1
GENERAL INFORMATION
BASE BRAKE SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Typical brake equipment consists of:
²Double pin floating caliper disc front brakes.
²Rear automatic adjusting drum brakes.
²Brake Fluid Level Switch.
²Master cylinder.
²Vacuum power booster.
²Double pin floating caliper rear disc brakes are
available on some models.
²Hand operated auto adjust park brake lever.
²Front disc brake pads are semi-metallic.
Vehicles equipped with the optional antilock brake
system (ABS) use a system designated Mark 20 and
is supplied by Teves. This system shares the base
brake hardware with vehicles not equipped withABS. A vehicle equipped with ABS does however use
a different vacuum booster, master cylinder and
brake tubes. Also included in the ABS system is an
integrated control unit (ICU), four wheel speed sen-
sors, and an electronic controller referred to as the
controller antilock brakes (CAB). These components
will be described in detail in the Teves Mark 20 ABS
brake section in this group of the service manual.
The hydraulic brake system is diagonally split on
both the Non-ABS and ABS braking system. With the
left front and right rear brakes on one hydraulic sys-
tem and the right front and left rear on the other.
The master cylinder is anodized, lightweight alu-
minum. On vehicles equipped with front disc brakes
and rear drum brakes, the master cylinder bore is
21.0 mm. On vehicles equipped with four wheel disc
brakes, the master cylinder bore is 22.2 mm.
PLBRAKES 5 - 1

portioning valve has a different part number. During
any service procedures identify valve assemblies by
supplier part number and or the color identification
band (Fig. 12).
CHASSIS TUBES AND HOSES
The purpose of the chassis brake tubes and flex
hoses is to transfer the pressurized brake fluid devel-
oped by the master cylinder to the wheel brakes of
the vehicle. The chassis tubes are steel with a corro-
sion resistant coating applied to the external surfaces
and the flex hoses are made of reinforced rubber. The
rubber flex hoses allow for the movement of the vehi-
cles suspension.
MASTER CYLINDER
This vehicle is available with three different mas-
ter cylinders. The vehicle uses screw-in proportioning
valves at the master cylinder or in-line proportioning
valves located in the rear chassis brake tubes instead
of a combination valve. With this new design, the
chassis brake tubes connect directly from the master
cylinder or HCU to the front and rear brake flex
hoses.
Vehicles not equipped with ABS use a standard
compensating port master cylinder, while vehicles
equipped with ABS use a center valve design mastercylinder. In addition, the non-ABS master cylinders
are a four outlet design with two screw-in proportion-
ing valves attached directly to the inboard side of the
master cylinder housing (Fig. 13). The ABS master
cylinder is a two outlet design (Fig. 14). The primary
and secondary outlet on the master cylinder are con-
nected directly to the hydraulic control portion of the
ICU (Fig. 14) Vehicles equipped with antilock brakes
use in-line proportioning valves mounted in the chas-
sis brake tubes going to the rear brakes. Vehicles
equipped with rear drum brakes use a master cylin-
der with a 21.0 mm bore diameter, while vehicles
equipped with rear disc brake use a 22.2 mm bore
master cylinder.
The master cylinder (Fig. 13) consists of the follow-
ing components. The body of the master cylinder is
an anodized aluminum casting. It has a machined
bore to accept the master cylinder piston and
threaded ports with seats for hydraulic brake line
connections. The brake fluid reservoir of the master
cylinder assembly is made of a see through type plas-
tic.
On Non-ABS master cylinders, the primary outlet
ports (Fig. 15) supply hydraulic pressure to the left
front and right rear brakes. The secondary outlet
ports (Fig. 15) supply hydraulic pressure to the right
front and left rear brakes.
On the ABS master cylinder, the primary outlet
port (Fig. 14) supplies hydraulic pressure to the right
front and left rear brakes. The secondary outlet port
(Fig. 14) supplies hydraulic pressure to the left front
and right rear brakes.
VACUUM BOOSTER
All vehicles use a 230 mm single diaphragm power
brake vacuum booster. There are however two differ-
ent booster designs; one for vehicles equipped with
ABS and one for vehicles without ABS. These two
Fig. 11 Antilock Proportioning Valve (Left Side
Shown)
Fig. 12 Antilock Proportioning Valve
Fig. 13 Master Cylinder For Non Antilock Brake
Equipped Vehicles
5 - 6 BRAKESPL
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

boosters differ at the interface to the master cylinder.
If the power brake booster requires replacement be
sure it is replaced with the correct part.
The power brake booster can be identified by the
tag attached to the body of the booster assembly (Fig.
16). This tag contains the following information: The
production part number of the power booster assem-
bly, the date it was built, who manufactured it, and
brake sales code.
NOTE: The power brake booster assembly is not a
repairable part and must be replaced as a complete
unit if it is found to be faulty in any way. The power
booster vacuum check valve is not repairable but
can be replaced as an assembly.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. 16).
As the brake pedal is depressed, the power booster
input rod moves forward (Fig. 17). This opens and
closes valves in the power booster, allowing atmo-
spheric pressure to enter on one side of a diaphragm.
Engine vacuum is always present on the other side.
This difference in pressure forces the output rod of
the power booster (Fig. 17) 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.
Different engine options available for this vehicle
require that different vacuum hose routings be used.
The power brake vacuum booster assembly mounts
on the engine side of the dash panel. It is connected
to the brake pedal by the input push rod (Fig. 17). 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
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
when the ignition switch is placed in the crank posi-
tion. Problems with this system will generally be of
the type where the warning lamp fails to turn on
when it should, or remains on when it should not.
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
Fig. 14 Master Cylinder For Antilock Brake
Equipped Vehicles
Fig. 15 Non-ABS Master Cylinder Primary And
Secondary Ports
Fig. 16 Power Brake Booster Identification
PLBRAKES 5 - 7
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)