2000 DODGE NEON engine

catalytic converter. Failure of the catalytic converter
can occur due to temperature increases caused by
unburned fuel passing through the converter. This
deterioration of the catalyst core can result in exces-
sively high emission levels, noise complaints, and
exhaust restrictions.
The use of catalysts also involves some non-auto-
motive problems. Unleaded gasoline must be used to
avoid poisoning the catalyst core. Do not allow engine
to operate above 1200 RPM in neutral for extended
periods over 5 minutes. This condition may result in
excessive exhaust system/floor pan temperatures
because of no air movement under the vehicle.
There is no regularly scheduled maintenance on
any DaimlerChrysler catalytic converter. If damaged,
the converter must be replaced.
CAUTION: Due to exterior physical similarities of
some catalytic converters with pipe assemblies,
extreme care should be taken with replacement
parts.
EXHAUST HEAT SHIELDS
The heat shields (Fig. 4), (Fig. 5), and (Fig. 6) are
needed to protect both the vehicle and the environ-
ment from the high temperatures developed in the
vicinity of the catalytic converter.
CAUTION: Avoid application of rust prevention
compounds or undercoating materials to exhaust
system floor pan heat shield on cars if equipped.
Light over-spray near the edges is permitted. Appli-
cation of coating will greatly reduce the efficiency
of the heat shields resulting in excessive floor pan
temperatures and objectionable fumes.
Fig. 4 Heat ShieldÐCatalytic Converter
1 ± NUT
2 ± NUT
3 ± HEAT SHIELD
Fig. 5 Heat ShieldÐIntermediate Pipe
1 ± UNDER BODY
2 ± SCREWS
3 ± HEAT SHIELD
Fig. 6 Heat ShieldÐEngine Wire Harness
1 ± HEAT SHIELD
2 ± NUT (QTY. 2)
PLEXHAUST SYSTEM 11 - 3
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
EXHAUST SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS CHART
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
EXCESSIVE
EXHAUST NOISE
(UNDER HOOD)1. Exhaust manifold cracked or broken. 1. Replace manifold.
2. Manifold to cylinder head leak. 2. Tighten manifold and/or replace gasket.
3. Exhaust Flex joint to manifold leak. 3. Tighten fasteners or replace gasket.
4. Exhaust flex joint. 4. Replace catalytic converter assembly.
5. Pipe and shell noise from front exhaust
pipe.5. Characteristic of single wall pipes.
EXCESSIVE
EXHAUST NOISE1. Leaks at pipe joints. 1. Tighten or replace clamps at leaking
joints.
2. Burned, blown, or rusted out exhaust
pipe or muffler.2. Replace muffler or exhaust pipes.
3. Restriction in muffler or tailpipe. 3. Remove restriction, if possible or replace
as necessary.
4. Catalytic converter material in muffler. 4. Replace muffler and converter assembly.
Check fuel injection and ignition systems for
proper operation.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
EXHAUST PIPE AND MUFFLER
REMOVAL
WARNING: THE NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERA-
TURE OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS VERY HIGH.
THEREFORE, NEVER WORK AROUND OR ATTEMPT
TO SERVICE ANY PART OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM
UNTIL IT IS COOLED. SPECIAL CARE SHOULD BE
TAKEN WHEN WORKING NEAR THE CATALYTIC
CONVERTER. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE CON-
VERTER RISES TO A HIGH LEVEL AFTER A SHORT
PERIOD OF ENGINE OPERATING TIME.
(1) Raise vehicle on hoist and apply penetrating oil
to band clamp fastener of component being removed.
NOTE: Do not use petroleum-based lubricants
when removing/installing muffler or exhaust pipe
isolators as it may compromise the life of the part.
A suitable substitute is a mixture of liquid dish
soap and water.
(2) Remove exhaust system ground strap.
(3) Loosen band clamp and remove support isola-
tors at muffler. Remove muffler from exhaust pipe
(Fig. 7).(4) Loosen band clamp at the catalytic converter to
intermediate pipe joint (Fig. 7)
(5) Remove intermediate pipe support isolator.
Separate at slip joint and remove intermediate pipe
(Fig. 7).
(6) Clean ends of pipes and muffler to assure mat-
ing of all parts. Discard broken or worn isolators,
rusted or overused clamps, supports, and attaching
parts.
NOTE: When replacement is required on any com-
ponent of the exhaust system, you must use origi-
nal equipment parts (or their equivalent).
INSTALLATION
When assembling exhaust systemdo nottighten
clamps until components are aligned and clearances
are checked.
(1) Assemble intermediate pipe to catalytic con-
verter and the isolator support to the underbody (Fig.
7).
(2) Install the muffler to intermediate pipe and the
isolator supports to the underbody.
(3) Working from the front of system; align each
component to maintain position and proper clearance
with underbody parts (Fig. 9). Tighten band clamps
to 47 N´m (35 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 8).
11 - 4 EXHAUST SYSTEMPL

CATALYTIC CONVERTER
REMOVAL
WARNING: THE NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERA-
TURE OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS VERY HIGH.
THEREFORE, NEVER ATTEMPT TO SERVICE ANY
PART OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM UNTIL IT IS
COOLED. SPECIAL CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN
WHEN WORKING NEAR THE CATALYTIC CON-
VERTER. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE CONVERTER
RISES TO A HIGH LEVEL AFTER A SHORT PERIOD
OF ENGINE OPERATION TIME.
NOTE: Vehicles equipped with the ULEV emission
package are equipped with an additional catalytic
converter that is integral to the exhaust manifold.
Refer to Exhaust Manifold in Group 9, Engine for
procedure.
(1) Remove muffler and exhaust pipe. Refer to pro-
cedure in this section.
(2) Disconnect downstream oxygen sensor electri-
cal connector.
(3) Remove exhaust manifold support bracket
(Federal and LEV only) (Fig. 10).
(4) Remove catalytic converter to exhaust manifold
attaching fasteners and remove converter from vehi-
cle (Fig. 11) or (Fig. 12).
(5) Remove and discard flange gasket.
NOTE: When replacement is required on any com-
ponent of the exhaust system, original equipment
parts (or equivalent) must be used.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: When assembling exhaust system do not
tighten clamps until all components are aligned and
clearances are checked.(1) Assemble catalytic converter to exhaust mani-
fold connection. Use a new flange gasket.
1 ± HEAT SHIELD
2 ± FLOOR PAN
3 ± BAND CLAMP
4 ± FLOOR PAN
5 ± TANK STRAP
6 ± FUEL TANK
7 ± SPARE TIRE TUB
8 ± REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER
9 ± FLOOR PAN
10 ± SPARE TIRE TUB
11 ± MUFFLER12 ± BUMPER BEAM
13 ± HEAT SHIELD
14 ± OXYGEN SENSOR CLEARANCE (LEV)
15 ± FLOOR PAN
16 ± FEDERAL & LEV
17 ± OXYGEN SENSOR CLEARANCE (FEDERAL)
18 ± HEAT SHIELD
19 ± FLOOR PAN
20 ± CROSSMEMBER
21 ± TAIL PIPE
22 ± FASCIA
Fig. 10 Exhaust Manifold Support BracketÐFederal
& LEV
1 ± BRACKET
2 ± BOLT (M10)
3 ± BOLT (M12)
4 ± NUT
Fig. 11 Catalytic Converter to Exhaust Manifold
ConnectionÐFederal & LEV
1 ± PRESSED-IN STUDS
2 ± NUTS
3 ± GASKET
PLEXHAUST SYSTEM 11 - 7
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

CAUTION: After removing the steering knuckle from
the ball joint stud, do not pull outward on the knuckle.
Pulling the steering knuckle outward at this point can
separate the inner C/V joint on the driveshaft. Refer to
FRONT DRIVESHAFTS in the DIFFERENTIAL AND
DRIVELINE group for further information.
NOTE: Use caution when separating the ball joint
stud from the steering knuckle, so the ball joint seal
does not get cut.
(6) Separate each ball joint stud from the steering
knuckle by prying down on lower control arm and up
against the ball joint boss on the steering knuckle
(Fig. 3).
(7) If the vehicle is equipped with a power steering
fluid cooler, remove the two screws securing the
cooler to the front suspension crossmember. They are
located behind the cooler and can be accessed from
above. Allow the cooler to hang out of the way.
(8) Using wire or cord, support and tie off the
power steering gear to the underbody of the vehicle,
so when the crossmember is lowered, the gear does
not fall away being held to the vehicle by only the
steering column coupler and the fluid hoses.
(9) Loosen and remove the four bolts attaching the
power steering gear to the front suspension cross-
member (Fig. 4). Remove the power steering gear
from the front suspension crossmember.
(10) Remove the bolt mounting the engine torque
strut to the right forward corner of the front suspen-
sion crossmember (Fig. 5).
NOTE: Before removing the front suspension
crossmember from the vehicle, the location of thecrossmember must be scribed on the body of the
vehicle (Fig. 9). Do this so that the crossmember
can be relocated upon reinstallation against the
body of vehicle in the same location as before
removal. If the front suspension crossmember is
not reinstalled in exactly the same location as
before removal, the preset front wheel alignment
settings (caster and camber) will be lost.
(11) Using an awl, scribe a line (Fig. 6) marking
the location of where the front suspension crossmem-
ber is mounted against the body of the vehicle.
(12) Position a transmission jack under the center
of the front suspension crossmember and raise it to
support the bottom of the crossmember.
(13) Loosen and completely remove the two front
bolts (one right and one left) attaching the front sus-
pension crossmember to the frame rails of vehicle.
The right side bolt can be viewed in the mounting
bolt figure (Fig. 5). The left side bolt is located in the
same location on the other side of the vehicle.
(14) Loosen the two rear bolts (one right and one
left) attaching the front suspension crossmember and
lower control arms to the body of the vehicle until
they release from the threaded tapping plates in the
body of the vehicle. Remove the rear bolts from the
body of the vehicle, but do not completely remove the
rear bolts because they are designed to disengage
from the body threads yet stay within the lower con-
trol arm rear isolator bushing. This allows the lower
control arm to stay in place on the crossmember. The
right side bolt can be viewed in the mounting bolt
figure (Fig. 5). The left side bolt is located in the
same location on the other side of the vehicle.
(15) Lower the front suspension crossmember.
Fig. 2 Ball Joint Bolt And Nut
1 ± NUT
2 ± BOLT
3 ± BALL JOINT
Fig. 3 Pry Bar Usage
1 ± STEERING KNUCKLE
2±PRYBAR
3 ± LOWER CONTROL ARM
4 ± BALL JOINT STUD
13 - 6 FRAME AND BUMPERSPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(16) Remove each lower control arm from the
crossmember by removing the front pivot bolt.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the lower control arms on the front sus-
pension crossmember. Install the pivot bolts, but do
not completely tighten them at this time.(2) Using the transmission jack, raise the front
suspension crossmember and lower control arms
until the crossmember contacts its mounting spot
against the body and frame rails of the vehicle. As
the crossmember is raised, carefully guide the power
steering gear into mounting position.
Fig. 4 Steering Gear Mounting
1 ± OUTER TIE ROD
2 ± JAM NUT3 ± STEERING GEAR
4 ± FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER
Fig. 5 Mounting Bolts
1 ± FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MOUNTING BOLTS
2 ± ENGINE TORQUE ISOLATOR STRUT MOUNTING BOLT
3 ± FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER
Fig. 6 Marking Crossmember Location
1 ± SCRIBED LINE
2 ± FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER
3±AWL
4 ± BODY
PLFRAME AND BUMPERS 13 - 7
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(3) Start the two rear crossmember mounting bolts
into the tapping plates mounted in the body. The
right side bolt can be viewed in the mounting bolt
figure (Fig. 5). The left side bolt is located in the
same location on the other side of the vehicle. Next,
install the two front mounting bolts attaching front
suspension crossmember to frame rails of vehicle.
Lightly tighten all four mounting bolts to a approxi-
mately 2 N´m (20 in. lbs.) to hold the front suspen-
sion crossmember in position.
NOTE: When reinstalling the front suspension
crossmember back in the vehicle, it is very impor-
tant that the crossmember be attached to the body
in exactly the same spot as when it was removed.
Otherwise, the vehicle's wheel alignment settings
(caster and camber) will be lost.
(4) Using a soft face hammer, tap the front suspen-
sion crossmember back-and-forth or side-to-side until
it is aligned with the previously scribed positioning
marks on the body of the vehicle (Fig. 6). Once the
front suspension crossmember is correctly positioned,
tighten the rear two crossmember mounting bolts to
a torque of 203 N´m (150 ft. lbs.), then tighten the
front two crossmember mounting bolts to a torque of
142 N´m (105 ft. lbs.).
(5) Tighten the lower control arm front pivot bolts
to a torque of 163 N´m (120 ft. lbs.).
(6) Attach the steering gear to the front suspen-
sion crossmember (Fig. 4). Install the four power
steering gear mounting bolts. Tighten the mounting
bolts to a torque of 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.).
(7) Remove the wire or cord suspending the power
steering gear to the underbody.
(8) If the vehicle is equipped with a power steering
fluid cooler, install the two screws securing the cooler
to the front suspension crossmember. They are
located behind the cooler.
(9)
Install each ball joint stud into the steering
knuckle aligning the bolt hole in the knuckle boss with
the notch formed in the side of the ball joint stud.
(10) Install a new ball joint stud pinch bolt and
nut (Fig. 2). Tighten the nut to a torque of 95 N´m
(70 ft. lbs.).
(11) Fasten the engine torque strut to the right
forward corner of the front suspension crossmember
using its mounting bolt (Fig. 5). Follow the procedure
described in the ENGINE service manual group to
properly align and tighten the torque strut and it's
mounting bolts.
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. 7).(12)
First, place the stabilizer bar in position on the
front suspension crossmember. The slits in each cush-
ion 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 cush-
ion 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.
(13) Install both stabilizer bar links back on vehi-
cle (Fig. 1). 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. Do not fully tighten
the link assemblies at this time.
(14) Install the tire and wheel assemblies back on
vehicle. Tighten the wheel mounting nuts to 135 N´m
(100 ft. lbs.) torque.
(15) Lower the vehicle.
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.
(16) 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.).
(17) Tighten the stabilizer bar cushion retainer
bolts to a torque of 34 N´m (300 in. lbs.).
(18) Check the front wheel alignment on the vehi-
cle. Refer to WHEEL ALIGNMENT in the SUSPEN-
SION service manual group.
Fig. 7 Downward Curve
1 ± STABILIZER BAR
2 ± LINK
3 ± DOWNWARD CURVE
4 ± CUSHION RETAINER
13 - 8 FRAME AND BUMPERSPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

SPECIFICATIONS
FRAME DIMENSIONS
Structural dimensions are listed in metric mea-
surements. All dimensions are from center to center
of Principal Locating Point (PLP), or from center to
center of PLP and fastener location.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT TOP VIEW
PLFRAME AND BUMPERS 13 - 9

ENGINE COMPARTMENT SIDE AND BOTTOM VIEW
13 - 10 FRAME AND BUMPERSPL
SPECIFICATIONS (Continued)