2000 DODGE NEON maintenance

onds, stop cranking engine and allow starter to cool
(15 minutes), before cranking again.
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 ATTACHMENT
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 sys-
tem, 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 notsecure 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 over
rough 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.
Fig. 1 Jumper Cable Clamp Connections
1 ± BATTERY POSITIVE CABLE
2 ± POSITIVE JUMPER CABLE
3 ± TEST INDICATOR
4 ± BATTERY NEGATIVE CABLE
5 ± BATTERY
6 ± NEGATIVE JUMPER CABLE
7 ± ENGINE GROUND
Fig. 2 Recommended Towing Devices
1 ± WHEEL LIFT
2 ± FLAT BED
0 - 8 LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCEPL
SERVICE PROCEDURES (Continued)

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.
TOWING ± FRONT WHEEL LIFT
DaimlerChrysler Corporation recommends that a
vehicle be towed with the front end lifted, whenever
possible.
TOWING ± REAR 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
not more than 25 km (15 miles). The gear selector
must be in the neutral position.
HOISTING RECOMMENDATIONS
Refer to Owner's Manual provided with vehicle for
proper emergency jacking procedures.
WARNING: THE HOISTING AND JACK LIFTING
POINTS PROVIDED ARE FOR A COMPLETE VEHI-
CLE. WHEN THE ENGINE OR REAR SUSPENSION
IS REMOVED FROM A VEHICLE, THE CENTER OF
GRAVITY IS ALTERED MAKING SOME HOISTING
CONDITIONS UNSTABLE. PROPERLY SUPPORT OR
SECURE VEHICLE TO HOISTING DEVICE WHEN
THESE CONDITIONS EXIST.
CAUTION: Do not position hoisting device on sus-
pension components, damage to vehicle can result.Do not attempt to raise one entire side of the
vehicle by placing a floor jack midway between the
front and rear wheels. This practice may result in
permanent damage to the body.
FLOOR JACK
When properly positioned, a floor jack can be used
to lift a PL vehicle (Fig. 3). Support the vehicle in the
raised position with jack stands.
A floor jack or any lifting device, must never be
used on any part of the underbody other then the
described areas.
HOIST
A vehicle can be lifted with:
²A single-post, frame-contact hoist.
²A twin-post, chassis hoist.
²A ramp-type, drive-on hoist.
NOTE: When a frame-contact type hoist is used,
verify that the lifting pads are positioned properly
(Fig. 3).
Fig. 3 Hoisting and Jacking Points
1 Frame Contract Lift (Single Post)
Chassis Lift (Dual Post)
Outboard Lift (Dual Post)
Floor Jack
2 Drive On Lift
PLLUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE 0 - 9
SERVICE PROCEDURES (Continued)

For more information on the description and oper-
ation of an individual component, refer to the appli-
cable component heading in this section.
STRUT ASSEMBLY (FRONT)
A Macpherson type design strut assembly is used
in place of the front suspension upper control arm
and upper ball joint (Fig. 1). The bottom of the strut
mounts directly to the steering knuckle using 2
attaching bolts and nuts going through the strut cle-
vis bracket and steering knuckle. The top of the strut
mounts directly to the strut tower of the vehicle
using the three threaded studs on the strut assem-
blies upper mount. During steering maneuvers, the
strut assembly (through a pivot bearing in the upper
strut mount) and steering knuckle (through the lower
ball joint) turn as an assembly. The strut assembly is
used to dampen the front suspension and smooth the
ride of the vehicle.
The strut assembly includes the following compo-
nents: A rubber isolated upper mount, an upper
spring seat and bearing, a dust shield, a jounce
bumper, a coil spring, a lower spring isolator and a
strut (Fig. 1). Each component is serviced by remov-
ing the strut assembly from the vehicle and disas-
sembling it.
COIL SPRING
The strut and front suspension of the vehicle is
supported by coil springs positioned around the
upper half of each strut. The springs are contained
between the upper and the lower seats of the strut
assembly.
Coil springs are rated separately for each corner or
side of the vehicle depending on optional equipment
and type of vehicle service. During service procedures
of the strut assembly, if both springs are removed,
mark the springs to ensure installation in its original
position.
NOTE: If a coil spring requires replacement, be
sure that it is replaced with a spring meeting the
correct load rating for the vehicle and its specific
options.
STEERING KNUCKLE
The steering knuckle is a single casting with legs
machined for attachment to the front strut assembly
on the top and the lower control arm ball joint on the
bottom (Fig. 1). The steering knuckle also has
machined abutments on the casting to support and
align the front brake caliper assembly.
WHEEL BEARING AND HUB
The knuckle also supports the wheel bearing and
hub (Fig. 1). The wheel hub is pressed into a sealed
for life wheel bearing that is pressed into the steer-
ing knuckle. A retainer plate also holds it in place.
The hub supports the driveshaft outer constant veloc-
ity (C/V) joint. Each is splined and meshes in the
center of the hub. The outer C/V joint is retained to
the hub using a nut. The nut is held on the outer C/V
stub shaft using a nut retainer and cotter pin.
The wheel bearing is a Unit 1 type cartridge bear-
ing that requires no maintenance. The wheel bearing
is serviced separately from the hub.
LOWER CONTROL ARM
There is one lower control arm on each side of the
vehicle. Each lower control arm is a stamped steel
unit using rubber isolated pivot bushings to isolate it
from the front suspension crossmember and frame of
the vehicle (Fig. 1). The rear bushing can be serviced
separately.
The front of the lower control arm is bolted to the
front crossmember using a bolt through the center of
the rubber pivot bushing. The rear of the lower con-
trol arm is mounted to both the front crossmember
and the frame rail of the vehicle using a thru-bolt.
The thru-bolt goes through both the crossmember
and rear lower control arm bushing, threading
directly into the frame rail of the vehicle.
The left and right lower control arms are intercon-
nected through a linked rubber isolated stabilizer
bar.
The outboard end of each lower control arm con-
nects to the steering knuckle using a ball joint.
1 ± VEHICLE STRUT TOWER
2 ± OUTER TIE ROD
3 ± STEERING GEAR
4 ± STRUT ASSEMBLY
5 ± JAM NUT
6 ± LOWER CONTROL ARM
7 ± CROSSMEMBER
8 ± BALL JOINT
9 ± STABILIZER BAR
10 ± STABILIZER BAR CUSHION AND RETAINER11 ± STABILIZER BAR LINK
12 ± HUB
13 ± KNUCKLE
14 ± STRUT
15 ± LOWER SPRING ISOLATOR
16 ± COIL SPRING
17 ± JOUNCE BUMPER
18 ± DUST SHIELD
19 ± SPRING SEAT AND BEARING
20 ± UPPER MOUNT
PLSUSPENSION 2 - 11
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

STEERING KNUCKLE
The front suspension steering knuckle is not a
repairable component of the front suspension. It
must be replaced if found to be damaged in any way.
If it is determined that the steering knuckle is bent
when servicing the vehicle, no attempt is to be made
to straighten the steering knuckle.
WHEEL BEARING AND HUB
The wheel bearing is designed for the life of the
vehicle and requires no type of periodic maintenance.
The following procedure may be used for diagnosing
the condition of the wheel bearing and hub.
With the wheel, disc brake caliper, and brake rotor
removed, rotate the wheel hub. Any roughness or
resistance to rotation may indicate dirt intrusion or a
failed hub bearing. If the bearing exhibits any of
these conditions during diagnosis, the hub bearing
will require replacement. The bearing is not service-
able.Damaged bearing seals and the resulting excessive
grease loss may also require bearing replacement.
Moderate grease weapage from the bearing is consid-
ered normal and should not require replacement of
the wheel bearing.
To diagnose a bent hub, refer to BRAKE ROTOR in
the DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING section in the
BRAKES service manual group for the procedure on
measuring hub runout.
LOWER CONTROL ARM
Inspect the lower control arm for signs of damage
from contact with the ground or road debris. If the
lower control arm shows any sign of damage, look for
distortion. Do not attempt to repair or straighten a
broken or bent lower control arm. If damaged, the
lower control arm stamping is serviced only as a
complete component.
The serviceable components of the lower control
arm are: the ball joint, the ball joint grease seal and
the lower control arm rear isolator bushing.
Inspect both lower control arm isolator bushings
for severe deterioration and replace as required.
Inspect the ball joint per the inspection procedure in
this section of the service manual and replace as
required. Refer to BALL JOINT in this section of this
service manual group.
BALL JOINT
With the weight of the vehicle resting on the road
wheels, grasp the headless grease fitting as shown
(Fig. 4). With no mechanical assistance or added
force, attempt to move the grease fitting. If the ball
joint is worn, the grease fitting will move. If move-
ment is noted, replace the ball joint.
Fig. 3 Strut Assembly
1 ± NUT
2 ± STRUT ASSEMBLY
3 ± STRUT
4 ± LOWER SPRING ISOLATOR
5 ± COIL SPRING
6 ± JOUNCE BUMPER
7 ± DUST SHIELD
8 ± SPRING SEAT AND BEARING (WITH SPRING ISOLATOR)
9 ± UPPER MOUNT
Fig. 4 Checking Ball Joint Wear
1 ± BALL JOINT
2 ± HEADLESS GREASE FITTING
PLSUSPENSION 2 - 13
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

CAUTION: No attempt should be made to service
the headless grease fitting on the ball joint. It has
been purposely snapped off by the manufacturer to
avoid over-greasing.
STABILIZER BAR (FRONT)
Inspect for broken, cracked or distorted stabilizer
bar cushions and retainers. Inspect for worn or dam-
aged stabilizer bar links (Fig. 1).
SERVICE PROCEDURES
LUBRICATION
There are no serviceable lubrication points on the
front suspension. The front lower ball joints have
grease fittings which have had the head snapped off
by the manufacturer after they have been filled. This
has been done to eliminate the possibility of damag-
ing the non-vented seals. Grease will not leak from
the broken grease fittings. The ball joints are sealed
for life and require no maintenance.
CAUTION: No attempt should be made to replace
the ball joint grease fitting with a new fitting, then
filling the ball joint with grease. Damage to the
grease seal can result.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE STRUT SHAFT
NUT WHILE STRUT ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED IN
VEHICLE, OR BEFORE THE COIL SPRING IS COM-
PRESSED WITH A COMPRESSION TOOL. THE
SPRING IS HELD UNDER HIGH PRESSURE.
CAUTION: Only frame contact hoisting equipment
can be used on this vehicle. All vehicles have a
fully independent rear suspension. The vehicles
cannot be hoisted using equipment designed to lift
a vehicle by the rear axle. If this type of hoisting
equipment is used, damage to rear suspension
components will occur.
CAUTION: At no time when servicing a vehicle can
a sheet metal screw, bolt, or other metal fastener be
installed in the shock tower to take the place of an
original plastic clip. It may come into contact with
the strut or coil spring.CAUTION: Wheel bearing damage will result if after
loosening the hub nut, the vehicle is rolled on the
ground or the weight of the vehicle is allowed to be
supported by the tires for a length of time.
STRUT ASSEMBLY (FRONT)
NOTE: Before proceeding with this procedure,
review SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS at the
beginning of REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in this
section.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise the vehicle. Refer to HOISTING in the
LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE group for the
proper lifting procedure.
(2) Remove tire and wheel assembly from location
on front of vehicle requiring strut removal.
(3) If both strut assemblies are to be removed,
mark the strut assemblies right or left according to
which side of the vehicle they were removed from.
(4) Remove the screw securing the ground strap to
the rear of the strut (Fig. 5).
(5) If the vehicle is equipped with Antilock brakes
(ABS), remove the screw securing the ABS wheel
speed sensor to the rear of the strut (Fig. 5).
CAUTION: The strut assembly-to-steering knuckle
attaching bolts are serrated and must not be turned
during removal. Hold the bolts stationary in the
steering knuckle while removing the nuts, then tap
the bolts out using a pin punch.
Fig. 5 Ground Strap And ABS Sensor Bracket
1 ± ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ROUTING BRACKET (IF
EQUIPPED)
2 ± GROUND STRAP
3 ± GROUND STRAP SCREW
4 ± ABS SENSOR BRACKET SCREW (IF EQUIPPED)
2 - 14 SUSPENSIONPL
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

(6) Remove the two bolts attaching the strut to the
steering knuckle (Fig. 1).
(7) Lower the vehicle just enough to open the
hood, but without letting the tires touch the floor.
(8) Remove the three nuts attaching the upper
mount of the strut assembly to the vehicle's strut
tower (Fig. 6).
(9) Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.
(10) For disassembly and assembly procedures,
refer to STRUT ASSEMBLY in the DISASSEMBLY
AND ASSEMBLY section in this section of this ser-
vice manual group.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the strut assembly into the strut tower,
aligning the three studs on the strut upper mount
with the holes in strut tower. Install the three
mounting nuts on the studs (Fig. 6). Tighten the
three nuts to a torque of 34 N´m (300 in. lbs.).
(2) Close the hood of the vehicle.
CAUTION: The strut assembly-to-steering knuckle
attaching bolts are serrated and must not be turned
during installation. Install the nuts while holding the
bolts stationary in the steering knuckle.
(3) Position the lower end of the strut assembly in
line with the upper end of the steering knuckle and
align the mounting holes (Fig. 1). Install the two
attaching bolts. The bolts should be installed with so
that the nuts face towards the front of the vehicle
once installed. Install the nuts. Holding the bolts in
place tighten the nuts to a torque of 53 N´m (40 ft.
lbs.) plus an additional 90É turn after the specified
torque is met.(4) If the vehicle is equipped with Antilock brakes
(ABS), attach the ABS wheel speed sensor to the rear
of the strut (rearward ear) using its mounting screw
(Fig. 5). Tighten the mounting screw to a torque of
13 N´m (120 in. lbs.).
(5) Attach the ground strap to the rear of the strut
(forward ear) using its mounting screw (Fig. 5).
Tighten the mounting screw to a torque of 13 N´m
(120 in. lbs.).
(6) Install the tire and wheel assembly. Install and
tighten the wheel mounting nuts in proper sequence
until all nuts are torqued to half specification. Next,
repeat the tightening sequence to the full specified
torque of 135 N´m (100 ft. lbs.).
(7) Lower the vehicle.
STEERING KNUCKLE
NOTE: Before proceeding with this procedure,
review SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS at the
beginning of REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in this
section.
REMOVAL
(1) Apply the brakes and hold in place.
(2) Raise the vehicle. Refer to HOISTING in the
LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE group for the
proper lifting procedure.
(3) Remove the front tire and wheel assembly.
(4) While the brakes are applied, loosen and
remove the hub nut on the end of the driveshaft (Fig.
7).
(5) Release the brakes.
Fig. 6 Upper Mounting Nuts
1 ± STRUT TOWER
2 ± MOUNTING NUTS
Fig. 7 Hub Nut
1 ± DRIVESHAFT
2 ± HUB
3 ± HUB NUT
PLSUSPENSION 2 - 15
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

once installed. Install the nuts. Holding the bolts in
place tighten the nuts to a torque of 53 N´m (40 ft.
lbs.) plus an additional 90É turn after the specified
torque is met.
(6) Place the tie rod heat shield on the steering
knuckle arm so that the shield is positioned straight
away from the steering gear and tie rod end once
installed. Algn the hole in the shield with the hole in
the steering knucle arm.
(7) Install the outer tie rod ball stud into the hole
in the steering knuckle arm. Start the tie rod attach-
ing nut onto the stud. Hold the tie rod end stud with
a wrench while tightening the nut with a standard
wrench or crowfoot wrench (Fig. 9). To fully tighten
the nut to specifications, use a crowfoot wrench on a
torque wrench to turn the nut, and a wrench on the
stud. Tighten the nut to a torque of 55 N´m (40 ft.
lbs.).
(8) Install the brake rotor on the hub (Fig. 8).
(9) Install the disc brake caliper (with pads) on the
brake rotor and steering knuckle. The left side cali-
per is installed by first sliding the top of the caliper
past the top abutment on the steering knuckle to
hook the top edge of the caliper, then pushing the
lower end of the caliper into place against the
knuckle (Fig. 13). The right side caliper is installed
by first sliding the bottom edge of the caliper past
the lower abutment on the steering knuckle to hook
the lower edge of the caliper, then pushing the top of
the caliper into place against the steering knuckle.
(10) Install the two guide pin bolts securing the
front disc brake caliper to the steering knuckle (Fig.
8). Tighten the guide pin bolts to a torque of 22 N´m
(192 in. lbs.).(11) Clean all foreign matter from the threads of
the driveshaft outer C/V joint (Fig. 7).
(12) Install the hub nut in the end of the drive-
shaft and snug it.
(13) Have a helper apply the brakes. With vehicle
brakes applied to keep brake rotor and hub from
turning, tighten the hub nut to a torque of 244 N´m
(180 ft. lbs.)
(14) Install the tire and wheel assembly. Install
the wheel mounting nuts and tighten them to a
torque of 135 N´m (100 ft. lbs.).
(15) Lower the vehicle.
(16) Set the front toe on the vehicle to required
specification. Refer to WHEEL ALIGNMENT in this
service manual group.
LOWER CONTROL ARM
NOTE: Before proceeding with this procedure,
review SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS at the
beginning of REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in this
section.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise the vehicle. Refer to HOISTING in the
LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE group for the
proper lifting procedure.
(2) Remove the front tire and wheel assembly.
(3) Remove both stabilizer bar links from the vehi-
cle (Fig. 14). Remove each link by holding the upper
retainer/nut with a wrench and turning the link bolt.
(4) Rotate the forward ends of the stabilizer bar
downward. It may be necessary to loosen the stabi-
Fig. 13 Brake Caliper Installation
1 ± SLIDE TOP OF BRAKE CALIPER UNDER TOP ABUTMENT
OF STEERING KNUCKLE AS SHOWN
2 ± BRAKING DISC
3 ± DISC BRAKE CALIPER
4 ± STEERING KNUCKLE BRAKE ABUTMENT
Fig. 14 Stabilizer Bar Links
1 ± STABILIZER BAR CUSHION RETAINERS
2 ± CUSHIONS
3 ± FRONT STABILIZER BAR
4 ± STABILIZER BAR LINKS
2 - 18 SUSPENSIONPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

with the notch formed in the side of the ball joint
stud.
(4) If the right lower control arm has been ser-
viced, install the engine torque strut (Fig. 16). Follow
the procedure described in the ENGINE service man-
ual group to properly align and tighten the torque
strut.
(5) Install a new ball joint stud pinch bolt and nut
(Fig. 15). Tighten the nut to a torque of 95 N´m (70
ft. lbs.).
(6) Rotate the forward ends of the stabilizer bar
into mounting position.
(7) Install both stabilizer bar links back on vehicle
(Fig. 14). Start each stabilizer bar link bolt with
bushing from the bottom, through the stabilizer bar,
inner link bushings, lower control arm, and into the
upper retainer/nut and bushing (Fig. 1). Do not fully
tighten the link assemblies at this time.
(8) Lower the vehicle to ground level.
NOTE: It may be necessary to put the vehicle on a
platform hoist or alignment rack to gain access to
the stabilizer bar mounting bolts with the vehicle at
curb height.
(9) Tighten each stabilizer bar link by holding the
upper retainer/nut with a wrench and turning the
link bolt. Tighten each link bolt to a torque of 23
N´m (200 in. lbs.).
(10) If previously loosened, tighten the stabilizer
bar cushion retainer bolts to a torque of 28 N´m (250
in. lbs.).
STABILIZER BAR (FRONT)
NOTE: Before proceeding with this procedure,
review SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS at the
beginning of REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in this
section.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise the vehicle. Refer to HOISTING in the
LUBRICATION AND MAINTENANCE group for the
proper lifting procedure.
(2) Remove both stabilizer bar links from the vehi-
cle (Fig. 18). Remove each link by holding the upper
retainer/nut with a wrench and turning the link bolt.
(3) Remove the stabilizer bar cushion retainer
bolts and retainers (Fig. 18), and remove the stabi-
lizer bar with cushions attached from the vehicle.
(4) To remove the cushions from the stabilizer bar,
peel back each cushion at the slit and roll it off the
bar.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: Before stabilizer bar installation, inspect the
cushions and links for excessive wear, cracks, dam-
age and distortion. Replace any pieces failing
inspection.
(1) If removed, install the stabilizer bar cushions
on the stabilizer bar utilizing the slit in each cush-
ion. Position the cushions at each end of the bar's
straight beam, just before it begins to curve.
NOTE: Before installing the stabilizer bar, make
sure the bar is not upside-down. The stabilizer bar
must be installed with the curve on the outboard
ends of the bar facing downward to clear the con-
trol arms once fully installed (Fig. 19).
(2) First, place the stabilizer bar in position on the
front suspension crossmember. The slits in each
cushion must point toward the front of the vehicle
and sit directly on top of the raised beads formed
into the stamping on the crossmember. Next, install
the cushion retainers, matching the raised beads
formed into the cushion retainers to the grooves
formed into the cushions. Install the cushion retainer
bolts, but do not completely tighten them at this
time.
(3) Install both stabilizer bar links back on vehicle
(Fig. 18). Start each stabilizer bar link bolt with
bushing from the bottom, through the stabilizer bar,
inner link bushings, lower control arm, and into the
upper retainer/nut and bushing (Fig. 1). Do not fully
tighten the link assemblies at this time.
Fig. 18 Stabilizer Bar
1 ± STABLILIZER BAR CUSION RETAINERS
2 ± CUSHIONS
3 ± FRONT STABLIZER BAR
4 ± STABILIZER BAR LINKS
2 - 20 SUSPENSIONPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)