1999 DODGE NEON wheel size

PRE-ALIGNMENT VEHICLE INSPECTION
CAUTION: If the front suspension crossmember
shows any sign of impact damage, the steering col-
umn to steering gear coupling must be inspected.
Refer to Group 19 Steering in this service manual
for the inspection procedure.
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) Be sure the fuel tank is full when the wheel
alignment specifications are checked and or adjusted.
A full tank of fuel weighs approximately 75 pounds,
if the fuel tank is not full this reduction in weight
will affect the curb height of the vehicle and the
alignment specifications.
(2) Alignment specifications of a vehicle can be the
most accurately checked and set when the passenger
compartment and trunk of the vehicle are vacant
with the exception of the spare tire. People, luggage,
and any other appreciable weight will adversely
affect the checking and setting of the camber specifi-
cation.
(3) Check and if required, inflate all of the tires to
the recommended air pressure. All tires must be of
the same size and in good condition and have approx-
imately the same tread wear.Note the type of
tread wear on the tire, this will aid in diagnos-
ing problems. Refer to Group 22 Tires And
Wheels in this service manual for the tire wear
diagnosis.
(4) Check the front tire and wheel assemblies for
radial runout.
(5) Before beginning the alignment process,
inspect all suspension component fasteners for loose-
ness and/or loss of specified torque.
(6) Inspect the lower front ball joints and all steer-
ing linkage for looseness and any signs of wear and
or damage.
(7) Inspect the tie rod ends for looseness and any
signs of wear and or damage.
(8) Inspect the rubber bushings on all suspension
components for signs of wear or deterioration. If any
bushings show signs of wear or deterioration they
should be replaced prior to aligning the vehicle.
SERVICE PROCEDURES
WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK AND ADJUSTMENT
PROCEDURE
CASTER CAMBER
Front and rear Caster and Camber settings on this
vehicle are determined at the time the vehicle isdesigned, by the location of the vehicle's suspension
components. This is called a Net Build vehicle and
results in no required adjustment of Caster and
Camber after vehicle is built or when servicing the
suspension components. Thus Caster and Camber are
not normally considered an adjustable specification
when performing an alignment on this vehicle.
Though Caster and Camber are not adjustable they
must be checked to ensure they meet vehicle specifi-
cations.
If front and or rear camber is found not to meet
the vehicle alignment specifications, it can be
adjusted using a Mopar Service Kit developed to
allow for camber adjustment. If a vehicle's front or
rear camber is found to be outside the specifications,
the vehicles suspension components should be
inspected for any signs of damage on bending.This
must be done before using the Mopar Service
Kit for setting camber to meet required specifi-
cation.
If a vehicles caster is not within manufacturers
alignment specifications, check for damaged suspen-
sion components or body parts. This type of damage
can cause component locations to move affecting
vehicle alignment.No adjustment can be made
for the Caster setting on this vehicle.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to adjust the vehicles
Caster or Camber by heating, bending or any other
modification of the suspension components.
(1) Correctly position vehicle on alignment rack
and install all required equipment on vehicle, per the
alignment equipment manufacturers specifications.
(2) Center the steering wheel and lock in place
using a steering wheel clamp.
NOTE: Prior to reading each alignment specifica-
tion, jounce the front and rear of the vehicle 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.
(3) Correctly jounce vehicle and read front and
rear alignment settings and compare to vehicle spec-
ifications for Camber, Caster and Toe. See Alignment
Specifications in this group of the service manual for
required specifications.If front and rear camber
readings are within required specifications pro-
ceed to step Step 3 in the Front And Rear Toe
Setting procedure. If Camber readings are not
within specifications refer to step Step 1 in the
following camber adjustment bolt package
installation procedure, for the front and rear
Camber adjustment procedure.
PLSUSPENSION 2 - 5
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (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)

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 assembly from
the side of the vehicle requiring lateral link removal.
(3) Remove the nut, bolt and washers attaching
the lateral links to the knuckle (Fig. 24).
(4) Remove nut, bolt, washer and Toe adjustment
cam, attaching lateral links requiring removal, from
rear crossmember (Fig. 25). Then remove lateral
links from vehicle.
INSTALL
Rear lateral links when being installed, must be
specifically positioned and orientated on the vehicle.The lateral link having same size bushing sleeves,
must be mounted to the crossmember and knuckle
toward front of vehicle. The lateral link with differ-
ent size bushing sleeves, must be mounted to the
crossmember and knuckle toward rear of vehicle. The
lateral link with small and large bushing sleeves,
must be installed with small bushing sleeve at
knuckle and large bushing sleeve at rear crossmem-
ber. This is required to accommodate the rear Toe
adjustment cam at rear crossmember.
The lateral link mounting bolts are different
lengths, and need to be installed in specific locations
and direction on vehicle.The lateral link mount-
ing bolt at knuckle MUST be installed, with
head of bolt facing front of vehicle. The lateral
Fig. 23 Rear Suspension Lateral Links
Fig. 24 Lateral Link Attachment To Knuckle
Fig. 25 Lateral Link Attachment To Crossmember
PLSUSPENSION 2 - 49
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

link mounting bolt at crossmember MUST be
installed, with head of bolt facing rear of vehi-
cle. The long attaching bolt must be used at
rear crossmember and short bolt used at
knuckle.
(1) Install washer on short lateral link attaching
bolt. Then install short lateral link attaching bolt,
into lateral link having the same size bushing
sleeves. Then install lateral link, bolt and washer
onto knuckle as an assembly, with head of bolt facing
to front of vehicle (Fig. 24).
(2) Install lateral link with small and large bush-
ing sleeve, on lateral link attaching bolt in rear
knuckle (Fig. 24).Small bushing sleeve must be
installed on bolt in rear knuckle with large
bushing sleeve at crossmember of vehicle.
(3) Install washer and nut onto lateral link attach-
ing bolt at rear knuckle (Fig. 24).Do not tighten
the lateral link to rear knuckle attaching bolt
at this time.
(4) Install Toe adjustment cam on long lateral link
attaching bolt. Install long lateral link attaching bolt
and adjustment cam, into lateral link toward rear of
vehicle, having the large bushing sleeve. Then pass
lateral link attaching bolt into rear crossmember
(Fig. 26).Head of long lateral link to crossmem-
ber attaching bolt must face to rear of vehicle
when installed.
(5) Position forward rear lateral link against rear
crossmember (Fig. 26). Then pass the lateral link
attaching bolt through front lateral link bushing
sleeve.
(6) Install washer and nut onto lateral link attach-
ing bolt at rear crossmember (Fig. 26).Do not
tighten the lateral link to rear crossmember
attaching bolt at this time.
(7) Install wheel and tire assembly on vehicle.
Tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in propersequence 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.).
(8) Lower vehicle to the ground.
(9) 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.).
(10) 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.
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY
STRUT ASSEMBLY
DISASSEMBLY
The rear strut unit is not serviced and must be
replaced as an assembly if found to be defective. The
strut is available with 2 calibrations, be sure strut is
replaced with an assembly of the same calibration.
The components of the strut assembly listed below
are replaceable if found to be defective.
²Coil spring (Coil springs come in a standard rate
of 120 lb./in. be sure spring is replaced with a spring
of the same rate.)
²Dust shield
²Mount assembly
²Jounce Bumper
²Lower Spring Isolator
²Shaft Nut
(1) Remove strut assembly requiring service from
the vehicle. Refer to Strut Assembly Removal in Ser-
vicing Rear Struts, in this section of the service man-
ual.
(2) Position strut assembly in a vise (Fig. 27).
Using paint or equivalent, mark the strut unit, lower
spring isolator, spring and upper strut mount for
indexing of the parts at assembly.
(3) Position Spring Compressors, Special Tool
C-4838 on the strut assembly spring (Fig. 28). Com-
press coil spring until all load is removed from upper
strut mount assembly.
(4) Install Strut Rod Socket, Special Tool, L-4558A
or L-4558 on strut shaft nut (Fig. 29). Inserted a 10
mm socket through special tool and onto end of strut
shaft (Fig. 29) to keep strut shaft from turning.
Remove strut shaft nut from strut shaft.
(5) Remove washer (Fig. 30) between strut shaft
nut and upper strut mount and isolator.
(6) Remove upper strut mount assembly from strut
shaft and spring (Fig. 31).
Fig. 26 Lateral Link Attachment To Crossmember
2 - 50 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)

tion the punch in the groove of the inner tripod joint
(Fig. 13). Strike the punch sharply with a hammer to
dislodge the left inner tripod joint from the side gear.
(19) Hold inner tripod joint and interconnecting
shaft of driveshaft assembly (Fig. 14). Remove inner
tripod joint from transaxle by pulling it straight out
of transaxle side gear and transaxle oil seal.When
removing tripod joint, do not let spline or snap
ring drag across sealing lip of the transaxle to
tripod joint oil seal.
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.
INSTALLATION
(1) Thoroughly clean spline and oil seal sealing
surface, on tripod joint. Lightly lubricate oil seal
sealing surface on tripod joint with fresh clean trans-
mission lubricant.
(2) Holding driveshaft assembly by tripod joint and
interconnecting shaft, install tripod joint into tran-
saxle side gear as far as possible by hand.
(3) Carefully align tripod joint with transaxle side
gears. Then grasp driveshaft interconnecting shaft
and push tripod joint into transaxle side gear until
fully seated.Test that snap ring is fully engaged
with side gear by attempting to remove tripod
joint from transaxle by hand. If snap ring is
fully engaged with side gear, tripod joint will
not be removable by hand.
Fig. 11 Steering Knuckle Separation from Driveshaft
Fig. 12 Disengaging Right Inner Tripod Joint from
Transaxle
Fig. 13 Disengaging Left Inner Tripod Joint from
Transaxle
Fig. 14 Tripod Joint Removal from Transaxle
PLDIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVELINE 3 - 5
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

PROPORTIONING VALVES
PROPORTIONING VALVE TESTING SPECIAL
TOOLS
The in-line proportioning valves used on this vehi-
cle require special pressure fittings to test the pro-
portioning valves for proper proportioning valve
function. The pressure fittings are installed before
and after the proportioning valve being tested to ver-
ify proportioning valve is maintaining the required
hydraulic pressure to the rear wheel brake which it
controls.
If a condition of premature rear wheel skid occurs
on a vehicle, the proportioning valve should always
be tested prior to it being replaced. This is due to the
fact that there are conditions other then a faulty pro-
portioning valve which can cause a premature rear
wheel skid.
Testing proportioning valve pressures on a vehicle
with or without ABS requires using the same special
tools.
There are 4 Pressure Fittings, Special Tool 6805
(Fig. 24) which are used for testing both rear propor-
tioning valves mounted in the master cylinder.
The pressure gauges used for testing the new in-
line proportioning valves on both non-ABS and ABS
brakes, is Pressure Gauge Set, Special Tool C-4007-A
currently used for testing the combination valve (Fig.
25).
PROPORTIONING VALVE TESTING NON ABS
BRAKE
If premature rear wheel skid occurs on hard brake
application, it could be an indication that a malfunc-
tion has occurred with one of the proportioning
valves.
One proportioning valve controls the right rear
brake, and the other proportioning valve controls the
left rear brake (Fig. 26). Therefore, a road test todetermine which rear brake slides first is essential.
Once the wheel which slides first is determined, use
the following procedure to diagnose the proportioning
valve.
The test procedure for a premature rear wheel skid
is the same for both rear wheel proportioning valves.
The pressure test fittings used for each proportioning
valve though are different due to proportioning valve
and brake tube nut thread sizes being unique for
each rear wheel. After road testing vehicle to deter-
mine which wheel skids first, the proper test fittings
required will have to be determined. Then follow the
procedure below for testing the required proportion-
ing valve.
(1) After road testing vehicle to determine which
rear wheel exhibits premature rear wheel skid, refer
to (Fig. 26) to determine which proportioning valve
needs to be tested.
Fig. 24 Proportioning Valve Pressure Test Fittings
Fig. 25 Proportioning Valve Pressure Test Gauge
Set
Fig. 26 Non-ABS Brakes Proportioning Valve
Location On Master Cylinder
5 - 16 BRAKESPL
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

(2) Remove hydraulic brake tube (Fig. 26) from
proportioning valve controlling the rear wheel of the
vehicle which has premature wheel skid.
(3) Remove proportioning valve from that outlet
port of the master cylinder.
CAUTION: Be sure the pressure test fitting being
installed into master cylinder, has the correct
thread sizes for installation into the master cylinder
and the installation of the proportioning valve.
(4) Install Pressure Test Fitting, Special Tool
6805-1 or 6805-2 (Fig. 27) into the outlet port of the
master cylinder, which the proportioning valve was
removed from.
(5) Install proportioning valve into pressure test
fitting installed in master cylinder outlet port (Fig.
27).
CAUTION: Be sure the pressure test fitting being
installed into proportioning valve, has the correct
thread sizes for installation into the proportioning
valve and installation of brake tube fitting.
(6) Install Pressure Test Fitting, Special Tool
6805-3 or 6805-4 (Fig. 27) into the outlet port of the
proportioning valve.
(7) Connect brake hydraulic tube onto the pressure
test fitting that was installed in proportioning valve
(Fig. 27).
(8) Install a Pressure Gauge, Special Tool
C-4007-A into each pressure test fitting (Fig. 28).
Bleed air out of hose from pressure test fitting to
pressure gauge, at pressure gauge to remove all
trapped air. hose.
(9) With the aid of a helper, apply pressure to the
brake pedal until reading on proportioning valve
inlet gauge, is at the pressure shown on the followingchart. Then check the pressure reading on the pro-
portioning valve outlet gauge. If proportioning valve
outlet pressure does not agree with value shown on
the following chart, when inlet pressure shown on
chart is obtained, replace the proportioning valve. If
proportioning valve is within pressure specifications
do not replace proportioning valve.
(10) Check rear wheel brake shoe linings for con-
tamination or for replacement brake shoes not meet-
ing OEM brake lining material specifications. These
conditions can also be a possible cause for a prema-
ture rear wheel skid.
(11) Install proportioning valve in master cylinder
and hand tighten until proportioning is fully
installed and O-ring seal is seated into master cylin-
der. Then torque proportioning valve to 40 N´m (30
ft. lbs.).
(12) Install brake tube on proportioning valve.
Torque tube nut to 17 N´m (145 in. lbs.) torque.
(13) Bleed the affected brake line. See Bleeding
Brake System in the Service Adjustments section of
the manual for proper bleeding procedure
PROPORTIONING VALVE TEST WITH ABS
BRAKES
If premature cycling of the rear brake ABS occurs
on hard brake application, it could be an indication
that a malfunction has occurred with one of the pro-
portioning valves.
One proportioning valve controls the right rear
brake, and the other proportioning valve controls the
left rear brake (Fig. 29). Therefore, a road test to
determine which rear brake slides first is essential.
Once the wheel which is skidding first is determined,
Fig. 27 Proportioning Valve Installation For
Pressure Testing
Fig. 28 Pressure Gauges Installed On Pressure Test
Fittings
PLBRAKES 5 - 17
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)