2000 DODGE NEON steering

(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)

(6) Remove the two guide pin bolts securing the
front disc brake caliper to the steering knuckle (Fig.
8).
(7) Remove the disc brake caliper from the steer-
ing knuckle. The caliper is removed by first tipping
either the top (right side) or bottom (left side) of the
caliper away from the brake rotor, then pulling the
caliper off the opposite end's caliper slide (on the
knuckle) and rotor.
(8) Hang the caliper out of the way using a wire
hanger or cord. Do not support the caliper by letting
it hang by the hydraulic hose.
(9) Remove any retainer clips from the wheel
mounting studs. Remove the brake rotor from the
front hub (Fig. 8).
(10) Remove the nut attaching the outer tie rod to
the steering knuckle. To do this, hold the tie rod end
stud with a wrench while loosening and removing the
nut with a standard wrench or crowfoot wrench (Fig.
9).
(11) Remove the tie rod end from the steering
knuckle using Remover, Special Tool MB991113 (Fig.
10).
Fig. 8 Brake Caliper And Rotor
1 ± RETAINER CLIP
2 ± BRAKE ROTOR
3 ± HUB
4 ± GUIDE PIN BOLTS
5 ± DISC BRAKE CALIPER
Fig. 9 Tie Rod Nut Removal/Installation
1 ± OUTER TIE ROD
2 ± STUD
3 ± NUT
Fig. 10 Tie Rod Removal
1 ± OUTER TIE ROD
2 ± STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - 16 SUSPENSIONPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(12) Remove the tie rod heat shield.
(13) Remove the nut and pinch bolt clamping the
ball joint stud to the steering knuckle (Fig. 11).
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 knuckles while removing the nuts, then tap
the bolts out using a pin punch.
(14) Remove the two bolts attaching the strut to
the steering knuckle (Fig. 1).
NOTE: Use caution when separating the ball joint
stud from the steering knuckle, so the ball joint seal
does not get cut.
(15) Separate the 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. 12).
NOTE: Do not allow the driveshaft to hang by the
inner C/V joint; it must be supported to keep the
joint from separating during this operation.
(16) Pull the steering knuckle off the driveshaft
outer C/V joint splines and remove the steering
knuckle.
NOTE: The cartridge type front wheel bearing used
on this vehicle is not transferable to the replace-
ment steering knuckle. If the replacement steering
knuckle does not come with a wheel bearing, a new
bearing must be installed in the steering knuckle.
Installation of the new wheel bearing and hub mustbe done before installing the steering knuckle on
the vehicle.
(17) If the steering knuckle is to be replaced, refer
to STEERING KNUCKLE in the DISASSEMBLY
AND ASSEMBLY section in this section of this ser-
vice manual group for the wheel bearing and hub
removal and installation procedure. Do not reuse the
wheel bearing
INSTALLATION
(1) If the steering knuckle has been replaced, refer
to STEERING KNUCKLE in DISASSEMBLY AND
ASSEMBLY found in this section of this service man-
ual group for the wheel bearing and hub installation
procedure. Do not reuse the old wheel bearing.
(2) Slide the hub of the steering knuckle onto the
splines on the driveshaft C/V joint.
(3) Install the steering knuckle onto the ball joint
stud aligning the bolt hole in the knuckle boss with
the notch formed in the side of the ball joint stud.
(4) Install a new ball joint stud pinch bolt and nut
(Fig. 11). Tighten the nut to a torque of 95 N´m (70
ft. lbs.).
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.
(5) 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
Fig. 11 Ball Joint Bolt And Nut
1 ± NUT
2 ± BOLT
3 ± BALL JOINT
Fig. 12 Separate Ball Joint from Knuckle
1 ± STEERING KNUCKLE
2±PRYBAR
3 ± LOWER CONTROL ARM
4 ± BALL JOINT STUD
PLSUSPENSION 2 - 17
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)

lizer bar cushion retainer bolts a little to ease any
turning resistance.
(5) Remove the nut and pinch bolt clamping the
ball joint stud to the steering knuckle (Fig. 15).
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 the 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. 12).
(7) If the right lower control arm is being serviced,
remove the bolts mounting the engine torque strut in
place (Fig. 16), then remove the engine torque strut
from the vehicle.
(8) Remove the front pivot bolt attaching the lower
control arm to the front suspension crossmember
(Fig. 17). Remove the rear pivot bolt attaching the
lower control arm to the front suspension crossmem-
ber and frame rail. Remove the lower control arm
from the crossmember.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the lower control arm into the cross-
member (Fig. 17). Install, but do not fully tighten,
the rear pivot bolt attaching the lower control arm to
the front suspension crossmember and frame rail.
Install the front pivot bolt attaching the lower con-
trol arm to the front suspension crossmember.
(2) Tighten the lower control arm rear pivot (and
suspension crossmember) bolt to a torque of 203 N´m
(150 ft. lbs.), then tighten the lower control arm front
pivot bolt to a torque of 163 N´m (120 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install the ball joint stud into the steering
knuckle aligning the bolt hole in the knuckle boss
Fig. 15 Ball Joint Bolt And Nut
1 ± NUT
2 ± BOLT
3 ± BALL JOINT
Fig. 16 Engine Torque Strut
1 ± MOUNTING BOLTS
2 ± ENGINE TORQUE ISOLATOR STRUT
3 ± FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER
Fig. 17 Lower Control Arm Attaching Bolts
1 ± LOWER CONTROL ARM
2 ± FRONT BOLT
3 ± CROSSMEMBER
4 ± REAR BOLT
PLSUSPENSION 2 - 19
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(4) 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.
(5) 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.).
(6) Tighten the stabilizer bar cushion retainer
bolts to a torque of 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.).
WHEEL MOUNTING STUD (FRONT)
NOTE: Before proceeding with this procedure,
review SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS at the
beginning of REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in this
section.
Use the following procedure to remove and install
one of five studs on one wheel hub.
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 the two guide pin bolts securing the
front disc brake caliper to the steering knuckle (Fig.
20).
(4) Remove the disc brake caliper from the steer-
ing knuckle. The caliper is removed by first tipping
either the top (right side) or bottom (left side) of thecaliper away from the brake rotor, then pulling the
caliper off the opposite end's caliper slide (on the
knuckle) and rotor.
(5) Hang the caliper out of the way using a wire
hanger or cord. Do not support the caliper by letting
it hang by the hydraulic hose.
(6) Remove any retainer clips from the wheel
mounting studs. Remove the brake rotor from the
front hub (Fig. 20).
CAUTION: Do not hammer wheel mounting studs
out of the hub. Damage to the wheel bearing will
occur, leading to premature bearing failure.
(7) Install a wheel mounting nut on the wheel
mounting stud being removed from the hub far
enough so the threads on the stud are even with end
of lug nut. Rotate the hub so the stud requiring
removal is aligned with notch cast into front of the
steering knuckle. Install Remover, Special Tool
C-4150, on hub flange and wheel stud (Fig. 21).
(8) Tighten the remover, pushing the wheel mount-
ing stud out the rear of the hub flange. When the
shoulder of the stud is past the flange, remove the
remover from the hub. Remove the nut from the
stud, then remove the stud from the flange.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the wheel mounting stud in the flange
of hub from the rear side. Install several washers
and a wheel mounting nut on the stud (Fig. 22). The
wheel mounting nut must be installed with the flat
side of the wheel mounting nut against the washers
to eliminate binding.
Fig. 19 Downward Curve
1 ± STABILIZER BAR
2 ± LINK
3 ± DOWNWARD CURVE
4 ± CUSHION RETAINER
Fig. 20 Brake Caliper And Rotor
1 ± RETAINER CLIP
2 ± BRAKE ROTOR
3 ± HUB
4 ± GUIDE PIN BOLTS
5 ± DISC BRAKE CALIPER
PLSUSPENSION 2 - 21
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(2) Tighten the wheel mounting nut. This will pull
the wheel mounting stud into the flange of the hub.
When the head of the stud is fully seated against the
rear of the hub flange, remove the wheel mounting
nut and washers from the stud.
(3) Install the brake rotor on the hub (Fig. 20).
(4) 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 thelower end of the caliper into place against the
knuckle (Fig. 23). 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.
(5) Install the two guide pin bolts securing the
front disc brake caliper to the steering knuckle (Fig.
20). Tighten the guide pin bolts to a torque of 22 N´m
(192 in. lbs.).
(6) Install the tire and wheel assembly. Install the
wheel mounting nuts and tighten them to a torque of
135 N´m (100 ft. lbs.).
(7) Lower the vehicle.
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY
STRUT ASSEMBLY (FRONT)
The Strut assembly must be removed from the
vehicle for it to be disassembled and assembled.
Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in this
section for the required procedure.
For the disassembly and assembly of the strut
assembly, use strut spring compressor, Pentastar Ser-
vice Equipment (PSE) tool W-7200, or the equivalent,
to compress the coil spring. Follow the manufactur-
er's instructions closely.
DISASSEMBLY
(1) If both struts are being serviced at the same
time, mark the coil spring and strut assembly accord-
ing to which side of the vehicle the strut was
Fig. 21 Wheel Stud Removal
1 ± SPECIAL TOOL C-4150A
2 ± LUG NUT
3 ± HUB/BEARING
4 ± STEERING KNUCKLE
5 ± WHEEL STUD
Fig. 22 Installing Wheel Stud
1 ± STEERING KNUCKLE
2 ± WHEEL LUG NUT
3 ± WASHERS
4 ± HUB/BEARING
Fig. 23 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
2 - 22 SUSPENSIONPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(9) Install the strut upper mount over the strut
shaft and onto the top of the upper spring seat and
bearing.
(10) Loosely install the retaining nut on the strut
shaft. Install Strut Nut Socket (on the end of a
torque wrench), Special Tool 6864, on the strut shaft
retaining nut (Fig. 26). Next, install a socket on the
hex on the end of the strut shaft. While holding the
strut shaft from turning, tighten the strut shaft
retaining nut to a torque of 75 N´m (55 ft. lbs.).
(11) Slowly release the tension from the coil spring
by backing off the compressor drive completely. As
the tension is relieved, make sure the upper mount
and seat and bearing align properly. Verify the upper
mount does not bind.
(12) Remove the clamp from the lower end of the
coil spring and strut. Push back the spring compres-
sor upper and lower hooks, then remove the strut
assembly from the spring compressor.
(13) Install the strut assembly on the vehicle.
Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in this
section for the required procedure.
STEERING KNUCKLE (WHEEL BEARING AND
HUB)
NOTE: The removal and installation of the wheel
bearing and hub from the steering knuckle is only
to be done with the steering knuckle removed from
the vehicle. Removal of the wheel bearing from the
steering knuckle must be done using the following
procedure.
DISASSEMBLY
(1) Remove steering knuckle, hub, and wheel bear-
ing as an assembly from the vehicle. Refer to
STEERING KNUCKLE in the REMOVAL AND
INSTALLATION section in this service manual
group.
(2) Using Remover, Special Tool 4150A, (Fig. 29)
press one wheel mounting stud out of hub flange.
Rotate the hub to align the removed wheel mounting
stud with the notch in bearing retainer plate (Fig.
30). Remove the wheel mounting stud from the hub.
(3) Rotate the hub so the hole in the hub that
wheel mounting stud was removed from is facing
away from brake caliper lower rail on steering
knuckle (Fig. 31). Install one half of the Bearing
Splitter, Special Tool 1130, between the hub and the
bearing retainer plate (Fig. 31).
NOTE: Align the threaded hole in this first half of
the bearing splitter with the caliper rail on the steer-
ing knuckle (Fig. 31).
Fig. 28 Coil Spring Positioning
1 ± UPPER END OF COIL
2 ± COIL SPRING
3 ± LOWER END OF COIL
4 ± SPRING COMPRESSOR
Fig. 29 Pressing Out Wheel Mounting Stud
1 ± SPECIAL TOOL 4150A
2 ± WHEEL MOUNTING STUD
3 ± HUB FLANGE
4 ± STEERING KNUCKLE
PLSUSPENSION 2 - 25
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY (Continued)