2000 DODGE NEON ABS

Driveshafts used on both the right and left sides of
the vehicle use a tuned rubber damper weight
mounted to the interconnecting shaft (Fig. 1). The
damper weight applications vary by which side of the
vehicle the driveshaft is located on and the transmis-
sion application of the vehicle. When replacing a
driveshaft, be sure the replacement driveshaft has
the same damper weight as the original.
Both driveshaft assemblies use the same type of
inner and outer joints. The inner joint of both drive-
shaft assemblies is a tripod joint, and the outer joint
of both driveshaft assemblies is a Rzeppa joint. Both
tripod joints and Rzeppa joints are true constant
velocity (C/V) joint assemblies. The inner tripod joint
allows for the changes in driveshaft length through
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 single
piece steel hub nut (Fig. 2). The hub nut is a locking
style; the nut lock, anti-rattle washer, and cotter pin
are not necessary.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.
Fig. 2 Driveshaft Retaining Nut
1 ± DRIVESHAFT
2 ± HUB
3 ± HUB NUT
3 - 2 DIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVELINEPL
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

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
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) Disconnect battery negative cable.
(2) Place transaxle in gated park.
(3) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(4) Remove wheel and tire assembly (Fig. 3).(5) Remove the driveshaft to hub and bearing
retaining nut (Fig. 4).
(6) If equipped with ABS, disconnect the front
wheel speed sensor and secure harness out of the
way.
Fig. 3 Wheel and Tire Removal
1 ± WHEEL/TIRE ASSY.
2 ± LUG NUT (5)
3 ± HUB
Fig. 4 Driveshaft Retaining Nut Removal
1 ± DRIVESHAFT
2 ± HUB
3 ± HUB NUT
PLDIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVELINE 3 - 3
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

CAUTION: When venting the inner tripod joint
assembly, use care so inner tripod sealing boot
does not get punctured or, in any other way, dam-
aged. If sealing boot is punctured or damaged while
being vented, the sealing boot can not be used.
(9) Insert a trim stick between the tripod joint and
the sealing boot to vent inner tripod joint assembly
(Fig. 29).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. 30) (Fig. 31). 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. 32). Tighten nut on crimp-
ing tool C-4975-A until jaws on tool are closed com-
pletely together, face±to±face (Fig. 33).(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. 34). Squeeze tool together until top
band of clamp is latched behind the two tabs on
lower band of clamp (Fig. 35).
Fig. 29 Trim Stick Inserted for Venting Tripod Joint
1 ± INNER TRIPOD JOINT SEALING BOOT
2 ± SEALING BOOT CLAMP
3 ± INNER TRIPOD JOINT HOUSING
4 ± TRIM STICK
Fig. 30 Sealing Boot End to End Length with Hytrel
Boot
1 ± 107 MILLIMETERS
2 ± HYTREL SEALING BOOT
3 ± SEALING BOOT CLAMP
4 ± INNER TRIPOD JOINT
Fig. 31 Sealing Boot End to End Length with
Silicone Boot
1 ± 115 MILLIMETERS
2 ± SILICONE SEALING BOOT
3 ± CLAMP
4 ± INNER TRIPOD JOINT
3 - 12 DIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVELINEPL
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY (Continued)

(13) Install the driveshaft requiring boot replace-
ment back on the vehicle. See Driveshaft Removal
and Installation in this section for the required drive-
shaft installation procedure.
OUTER C/V JOINT SEAL BOOT
REMOVAL
To remove outer C/V joint sealing boot from a drive-
shaft for replacement, the driveshaft assembly must
be removed from the vehicle. See Driveshaft Removal
and Installation in this section for the required drive-
shaft removal and replacement procedure.
(1) Remove driveshaft assembly requiring boot
replacement from vehicle. See Driveshaft Removal
and Installation in this section for the required drive-
shaft removal procedure.
Fig. 32 Crimping Tool Installed on Sealing Boot
Clamp
1 ± CLAMP
2 ± TRIPOD JOINT HOUSING
3 ± SPECIAL TOOL C-4975A
4 ± SEALING BOOT
Fig. 33 Sealing Boot Retaining Clamp Installed
1 ± CLAMP
2 ± TRIPOD HOUSING
3 ± SPECIAL TOOL C-4975A
4 ± JAWS OF SPECIAL TOOL C-4975A MUST BE CLOSED
COMPLETELY TOGETHER HERE
5 ± SEALING BOOT
Fig. 34 Clamping Tool Installed on Sealing Boot
Clamp
1 ± CLAMP
2 ± SPECIAL TOOL YA3050
3 ± SEALING BOOT
Fig. 35 Sealing Boot Clamp Correctly Installed
1 ± INNER TRIPOD JOINT HOUSING
2 ± TOP BANK OF CLAMP MUST BE RETAINED BY TABS AS
SHOWN HERE TO CORRECTLY LATCH BOOT CLAMP
3 ± SEALING BOOT
PLDIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVELINE 3 - 13
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY (Continued)

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
BASE BRAKE SYSTEM OPERATION
When a vehicle needs to be stopped, the driver
applies the brake pedal. The brake pedal pushes the
input rod of the power brake booster into the booster.
The booster uses vacuum to ease pedal effort as force
is transferred through the booster to the master cyl-
inder. The booster's output rod pushes in the master
cylinder's primary and secondary pistons applying
hydraulic pressure through the chassis brake tubes
and proportioning valves (rear only) to the brakes at
each tire and wheel assembly.
Front disc brakes control the braking of the front
wheels; rear braking is controlled by rear drum
brakes as standard equipment. Rear disc brakes and
an antilock brake system (ABS) with traction control
are optional.
The hydraulic brake system is diagonally split on
both the non-antilock and antilock braking systems.
This means the left front and right rear brakes are
on one hydraulic circuit and the right front and left
rear are on the other.
Vehicles equipped with the optional antilock brake
system (ABS) use a system designated Mark 20e.
This system shares most base brake hardware used
on vehicles without ABS. A vehicle equipped with
ABS, however, uses a different master cylinder and
brake tubes. Also included in the ABS system is an
integrated control unit (ICU) and four wheel speed
sensors. These components are described in detail in
the ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM section in this
group of the service manual. All vehicles with ABS
come standard with four-wheel-disc brakes and trac-
tion control.
The parking brakes are hand-operated. When
applied, the parking brake lever pulls on cables that
actuate brake shoes at each rear wheel. The parking
brake lever has an automatic adjusting feature that
takes up any excessive slack in the parking brake
cable system.
BASE BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS
BRAKE PEDAL
A suspended-type brake pedal is used on this vehi-
cle. The pedal pivots on a shaft mounted in the pedal
support bracket under the instrument panel. The
pedal connects to the power brake booster input rod
and pushes it in when the pedal is applied.
The brake pedal and it's pad are serviceable sepa-
rately.
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER
There are two different power brake booster
designs, although externally they appear the same.
All vehicles use a 205 mm tandem diaphragm power
brake booster. The two boosters are internally tuned
differently depending on whether the vehicle is
equipped with the standard front disc/rear drum
brake combination or the optional front disc/rear disc
(four-wheel disc) brake combination. 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.
1). This tag contains the following information: The
production part number of the power brake booster,
the date it was built and who manufactured it.
The power brake booster reduces the amount of
force required by the driver to obtain the necessary
hydraulic pressure to stop the 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. 2).
As the brake pedal is depressed, the power booster
input rod moves forward. This opens and closes
valves in the power brake 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 out against the primary piston of
the master cylinder. As the pistons in the master cyl-
inder move forward, hydraulic pressure is created in
the brake system.
Fig. 1 Master Cylinder and Power Brake Booster
1 ± POWER BRAKE BOOSTER PARTS IDENTIFICATION TAG
2 ± POWER BRAKE BOOSTER
3 ± BRAKE FLUID PRESSURE SWITCH
4 ± MASTER CYLINDER
5 - 2 BRAKESPL

The power brake vacuum booster assembly mounts
on the engine side of the dash panel. The booster
input push rod connects to the brake pedal. A vac-
uum line connects the power booster to the intake
manifold. The master cylinder is bolted to the front
of the power brake booster.
MASTER CYLINDER
The base brakes on a vehicle not equipped with
ABS use a standard compensating port master cylin-
der, while vehicles equipped with ABS use a center
valve design master cylinder. The information pro-
vided here applies only to the non-ABS master cylin-
der. For information on the master cylinder used on
vehicles with ABS, refer to the ANTILOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM section in this service manual group.
The non-ABS master cylinder is a four-outlet
design with two screw-in proportioning valves. One is
attached directly to the inboard side of the master
cylinder housing while the other is attached to the
bottom (Fig. 3). Vehicles equipped with rear drum
brakes use a master cylinder with a 22.23 mm (0.875
in.) bore diameter, while vehicles equipped with rear
disc brakes use a 23.82 mm (0.937 in.) bore diameter
master cylinder.
The master cylinder body is an anodized aluminum
casting. It has a machined bore to accept the master
cylinder piston and also has threaded ports with
seats for hydraulic brake line connections.
The master cylinder's primary outlet ports supply
hydraulic pressure to the right front and left rearbrakes while the secondary outlet ports supply
hydraulic pressure to the left front and right rear
brakes (Fig. 3).
BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
The master cylinder has the brake fluid reservoir
mounted on top of it which gravity feeds brake fluid
to the master cylinder when it is required. The res-
ervoir is made of see-through plastic and it houses
the brake fluid level switch.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL SWITCH
The brake fluid level switch is located in the brake
fluid reservoir on the master cylinder (Fig. 1). It
senses the level of the brake fluid within the reser-
voir and when the level drops below an acceptable
level, the switch closes and completes the ground cir-
cuit for the red BRAKE warning lamp. This turns on
the red BRAKE warning lamp. For additional infor-
mation, refer to RED BRAKE WARNING LAMP also
in this section.
PROPORTIONING VALVE
NOTE: Only vehicles without antilock brakes have
proportioning valves. Vehicles with antilock brakes
have electronic brake distribution that is built into
the integrated control unit.
Fig. 2 Power Brake Booster
1 ± MOUNTING STUD
2 ± PARTS IDENTIFICATION TAG
3 ± MASTER CYLINDER MOUNTING STUDS
4 ± VACUUM CHECK VALVE
Fig. 3 Non-ABS Master Cylinder
1 ± RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TUBE
2 ± LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE
3 ± LEFT REAR BRAKE TUBE
4 ± REAR PROPORTIONING VALVES
5 ± RIGHT REAR BRAKE TUBE
PLBRAKES 5 - 3
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

RED BRAKE WARNING LAMP
The red BRAKE warning lamp is located in the
instrument panel cluster and illuminates when a low
brake fluid condition occurs or when the parking
brake lever is applied with the ignition key in the
ON position. In addition, the red BRAKE warning
lamp illuminates when the ignition switch is moved
from the OFF to the ON or CRANK position. This is
done to check the bulb's operation.
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 red BRAKE warning lamp LED is supplied
with current anytime the ignition switch is ON. The
bulb is illuminated by completing the ground circuit
using any of the following components:
²the brake fluid level switch located in the mas-
ter cylinder reservoir
²the parking brake switch mounted on the park-
ing brake lever (Fig. 10)
²the ignition switch when the ignition switch is
first moved to the ON or CRANK position
²the mechanical instrument cluster (MIC) (with
ABS)
²the ABS electronic brake distribution (EBD)
The brake fluid level switch is located in the brake
fluid reservoir of the master cylinder assembly (Fig.
1). The purpose of the switch is to provide the driver
with an early warning that the brake fluid level inthe master cylinder reservoir has dropped below an
acceptable level.
As the fluid drops below the minimum level, the
fluid level switch closes and grounds the red BRAKE
warning lamp circuit. This turns on the red BRAKE
warning lamp. At this time, the master cylinder fluid
reservoir must be checked and filled to the full mark
with DOT 3 brake fluid. An abnormal loss of brake
fluid in the master cylinder fluid reservoir could be
caused by a leak in the hydraulic system. The entire
brake hydraulic system should be checked for evi-
dence of a leak.
The red BRAKE warning lamp can be turned on by
the MIC in the case where the ABS is experiencing a
problem where the amber ABS warning lamp needs
to be illuminated and cannot. The MIC will then illu-
minate the red BRAKE warning lamp.
BRAKE LAMP SWITCH
The brake lamp switch is located under the instru-
ment panel, at the brake pedal arm (Fig. 13). It con-
trols operation of the vehicle's stop lamps. Also, if the
vehicle is equipped with speed control, the brake
lamp switch will deactivate the speed control when
the brake pedal is depressed.
When the brake pedal is depressed, the brake lamp
switch contacts are closed, completing the circuit to
the stop lamps, thus illuminating the stop lamps and
the center-high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL).
Fig. 12 Drum-In-Hat Brake Rotor
1 ± REAR BRAKING DISK ROTOR
2 ± HAT SECTION OF REAR BRAKING DISC (PARKING BRAKE
BRAKING SURFACE)
Fig. 13 Brake Lamp Switch
1 ± SWITCH
2 ± CLIP
3 ± BRAKE PEDAL
4 ± CONNECTOR
5 - 8 BRAKESPL
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
BASE BRAKE SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS CHARTS
NOTE: There are three diagnosis charts following
that cover the RED BRAKE WARNING LAMP,
BRAKE NOISE and OTHER BRAKE CONDITIONS.
RED BRAKE WARNING LAMP
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
RED BRAKE WARNING
LAMP ON1. Parking brake lever not fully
released.1. Release parking brake lever.
2. Parking brake warning lamp switch
on parking brake lever.2. Inspect and replace switch as necessary.
3. Brake fluid level low in reservoir. 3. Fill reservoir. Check entire system for
leaks. Repair or replace as required.
4. Brake fluid level switch. 4. Disconnect switch wiring connector. If lamp
goes out, replace switch.
5. Mechanical instrument cluster (MIC)
problem.5. Refer to Chassis Diagnostic Procedures
manual.
6. ABS EBD malfunction. 6. Refer to ABS section and Chassis
Diagnostic Procedures manual.
BRAKE NOISE
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
DISC BRAKE CHIRP 1. Excessive brake rotor runout. 1. Follow brake rotor diagnosis and testing.
Correct as necessary.
2. Lack of lubricant on brake caliper
slides.2. Lubricate brake caliper slides.
DISC BRAKE RATTLE OR
CLUNK1. Broken or missing anti-rattle spring
clips on shoes.1. Replace brake shoes.
2. Caliper guide pins loose. 2. Tighten guide pins.
DISC BRAKE SQUEAK AT
LOW SPEED (WHILE
APPLYING LIGHT BRAKE
PEDAL EFFORT)1. Brake shoe linings. 1. Replace brake shoes.
DRUM BRAKE CHIRP 1. Lack of lubricant on brake shoe
support plate where shoes ride.1. Lubricate shoe contact areas on brake
shoe support plates.
2. Wheel cylinder out of alignment. 2. Loosen wheel cylinder mounting bolts,
realign wheel cylinder with brake shoes and
tighten mounting bolts.
DRUM BRAKE CLUNK 1. Drum(s) have threaded machined
braking surface.1. Reface or replace drake drums as
necessary.
DRUM BRAKE HOWL OR
MOAN1. Lack of lubricant on brake shoe
support plate where shoes ride and at
the anchor.1. Lubricate shoe contact areas on brake
shoe support plates and at the anchor.
2. Rear brake shoes. 2. Replace rear brake shoes.
DRUM BRAKE SCRAPING
OR WHIRRING1. ABS wheel speed sensor or tone
wheel.1. Inspect, correct or replace faulty
component(s).
SCRAPING (METAL-TO-
METAL).1. Foreign object interference with
brakes.1. Inspect brakes and remove foreign object.
2. Brake shoes worn out. 2. Replace brake shoes. Inspect rotors and
drums. Reface or replace as necessary.
PLBRAKES 5 - 9