2000 DODGE NEON Service Repair Manual

Spring Compressor C-3575±A
Band Adjusting Adapter
Oil Pump Puller C-3752
Seal Puller C-3981B
Universal Handle C-4171
Seal Installer C-4193A
Bearing Installer C-4637
Adapter C-4658
Torque Tool C-4995
Adapter C-4996
21 - 152 TRANSAXLEPL
SPECIAL TOOLS (Continued)

Remover Kit L-4406
Bearing Remover Cup L-4406±1
Bearing Remover Jaws L-4406±2
Adapter L-4406±3
Gear Puller L-4407A
Puller L-4407±6
Bearing Installer L-4408
Bearing Installer L-4410
Bearing Installer L-4411
Installer Adapter L-4429-3
PLTRANSAXLE 21 - 153
SPECIAL TOOLS (Continued)

Gear Checking Plate L-4432
Gear Removing Plate L-4434
Bearing Puller L-4435
Differential Tool L-4436A
Housing Remover Adapter L-4437
Starter Nut L-4439
Transfer Shaft Remover-Installer L-4512
Bearing Cup Remover L-4517
Special Jaw Set L-4518
Installer L-4520
21 - 154 TRANSAXLEPL
SPECIAL TOOLS (Continued)

Bearing Splitter P-334
Bearing Cone Remover 5048
Bearing Installer 5052
Bearing Cup Remover 6062-A
Bearing Installer 6536-A
Cooling System Tester 7700
Seal Remover 7794-a
End Play SetÐ8266
PLTRANSAXLE 21 - 155
SPECIAL TOOLS (Continued)

TIRES AND WHEELS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
TIRES................................... 1WHEELS................................ 10
TIRES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
TIRE...................................1
RADIAL-PLY TIRES........................2
SPARE TIRE±TEMPORARY..................3
REPLACEMENT TIRES.....................3
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS.................3
TIRE WEAR PATTERNS.....................4
TIRE NOISE OR VIBRATION.................4
VEHICLE LEAD DIAGNOSIS AND
CORRECTION..........................4
SERVICE PROCEDURES
PRESSURE GAUGES......................6TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES...............6
TIRE PRESSURE FOR HIGH SPEED
OPERATION............................6
TIRE AND WHEEL ROTATION................6
REPAIRING TIRE LEAKS....................7
TIRE AND WHEEL MATCH MOUNTING.........7
CLEANING AND INSPECTION
CLEANING TIRES.........................9
SPECIFICATIONS
TIRE SPECIFICATIONS.....................9
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
TIRE
Tires are designed and engineered for each specific
vehicle (Fig. 1). They provide the best overall perfor-
mance for normal operation. The ride and handling
characteristics match the vehicle's requirements.
With proper care they will give excellent reliability,
traction, skid resistance, and tread life.
Driving habits have more effect on tire life than
any other factor. Careful drivers will obtain, in most
cases, much greater mileage than severe use or care-
less drivers. A few of the driving habits which will
shorten the life of any tire are:²Rapid acceleration
²Severe application of brakes
²High-speed driving
²Taking turns at excessive speeds
²Striking curbs and other obstacles
²Operating vehicle with over or under inflated
tire pressures
Radial ply tires are more prone to irregular tread
wear. It is important to follow the tire rotation inter-
val shown in the section on Tire Rotation. This will
help to achieve a greater tread-life potential.
PLTIRES AND WHEELS 22 - 1

TIRE IDENTIFICATION
Tire type, size, aspect ratio and speed rating are
encoded in the letters and numbers imprinted on the
side wall of the tire. Refer to the chart to decipher
the tire identification code (Fig. 2).
Performance tires will have a speed rating letter
after the aspect ratio number. For example, the letter
ªSº indicates that the tire is speed rated up to 112
mph (180 km/h). The speed rating is not always
printed on the tire sidewall.
²Q -up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
²T -up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
²U -up to 124 mph (200 km/h)
²H -up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
²V -up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
²Z -more than 149 mph (240 km/h) (consult the
tire manufacturer for the specific speed rating)
An All Season type tire will have eitherM+S,M
& S or M-S (indicating mud and snow traction)
imprinted on the side wall.
TIRE CHAINS
Refer to the owners manual supplied with the vehi-
cle to determine whether the use of tire chains is per-
mitted on this vehicle.
RADIAL-PLY TIRES
Radial-ply tires improve handling, tread life and
ride quality, and decrease rolling resistance.
Radial-ply tires must always be used in sets of
four. Under no circumstances should they be used on
the front only. They may be mixed with temporary
spare tires when necessary. A maximum speed of 50
MPH is recommended while a temporary spare is in
use.
Radial-ply tires have the same load-carrying capac-
ity as other types of tires of the same size. They also
use the same recommended inflation pressures.
The use of oversized tires, either in the front or
rear of the vehicle, can cause vehicle drive train fail-
ure. This could also cause inaccurate wheel speed
Fig. 1 Tire (Typical)
1 ± CAST ALUMINUM WHEEL
2 ± WEIGHTS
3 ± CENTER CAP
4 ± WHEEL COVER5 ± MOUNTING NUTS
6 ± VALVE STEM
7 ± STEEL WHEEL
8 ± TIRE
22 - 2 TIRES AND WHEELSPL
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

signals when the vehicle is equipped with Anti-Lock
Brakes.
The use of tires from different manufactures on the
same vehicle is NOT recommended. The proper tire
pressure should be maintained on all four tires.
SPARE TIRE±TEMPORARY
The temporary spare tire is designed for emer-
gency use only. The original tire should be repaired
or replaced at the first opportunity, then reinstalled.
Do not exceed speeds of 50 M. P. H. when using the
temporary spare tire. Refer to Owner's Manual for
complete details.
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 capabilityIt 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 may cause interference
with vehicle components. Under extremes of suspen-
sion 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
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. 3).
Tire replacement is necessary when indicators
appear in two or more grooves or if localized balding
occurs.
Fig. 2 Tire Identification
Fig. 3 Tread Wear Indicators
1 ± TREAD ACCEPTABLE
2 ± TREAD UNACCEPTABLE
3 ± WEAR INDICATOR
PLTIRES AND WHEELS 22 - 3
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)