2001 DODGE TOWN AND COUNTRY tires

CLEANING - TIRES
Before delivery of a vehicle, remove the protective
coating on the tires with white sidewalls or raised
white letters. To remove the protective coating, apply
warm water and let it soak for a few minutes. After-
wards, scrub the coating away with a soft bristle
brush. Steam cleaning may also be used to remove
the coating.
CAUTION: DO NOT use gasoline, mineral oil, oil-
based solvent or a wire brush for cleaning.
WHEELS
DESCRIPTION - WHEEL
Original equipment wheels are designed for proper
operation at all loads up to the specified maximum
vehicle capacity.
All models use either steel or aluminum drop-cen-
ter wheels. Every wheel has raised sections between
the rim flanges and rim drop well called safety
humps (Fig. 23). Initial inflation of the tires forces
the bead over these raised sections. In case of air
loss, the safety humps hold the tire in position on the
wheel until the vehicle can be brought to a safe stop.
Cast aluminum wheels require special balance
weights to fit on the flange of the rim (Fig. 24).
When wheel alignment is necessary on a vehicle
with cast aluminum wheels, special wheel clamps are
required to avoid damage to the wheel's finish.The wheel studs and nuts are designed for specific
wheel applications and must be replaced with equiv-
alent parts.
All aluminum wheels have wheel mounting (lug)
nuts with an enlarged nose. This enlarged nose is
necessary to ensure proper retention of the wheels.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - WHEEL
INSPECTION
Inspect wheels for:
²Excessive runout
²Dents, cracks or irregular bends
²Damaged wheel stud (lug) holes
²Air Leaks
NOTE: Do not attempt to repair a wheel by hammer-
ing, heating or welding.
If a wheel is damaged, an original equipment
replacement wheel should be used. When obtaining
replacement wheels, they should be equivalent in
load carrying capacity. The diameter, width, offset,
pilot hole and bolt circle of the wheel should be the
same as the original wheel.
WARNING: FAILURE TO USE EQUIVALENT
REPLACEMENT WHEELS MAY ADVERSELY
AFFECT THE SAFETY AND HANDLING OF THE
VEHICLE.
WARNING: REPLACEMENT WITH USED WHEELS IS
NOT RECOMMENDED. THE SERVICE HISTORY OF
THE WHEEL MAY HAVE INCLUDED SEVERE TREAT-
MENT OR VERY HIGH MILEAGE. THE RIM COULD
FAIL WITHOUT WARNING.
Fig. 23 Safety Rim
1 - TIRE
2 - WELL
3 - SAFETY HUMPS
4 - FLANGE
Fig. 24 Styled Aluminum Wheel Weight
1 - TIRE
2 - WHEEL
3 - STYLED WHEEL WEIGHT
RSTIRES/WHEELS22-13
TIRES (Continued)
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CLEANING - ALUMINUM WHEEL CARE
Chrome plated and painted aluminum wheels
should be cleaned regularly using mild soap and
water to maintain their luster and to prevent corro-
sion.
Care must be taken in the selection of tire and
wheel cleaning chemicals and equipment to prevent
damage to the wheels. Any of the ªDO NOT USEº
items listed below WILL damage chrome plated and
painted aluminum wheels.
DO NOT USE:
²any abrasive metal cleaner
²any abrasive cleaning pad or brush
²any cleaner that contains an acid (this will
immediately react with and discolor the chromium
surface)
²chrome polish (unless it is buffed off immedi-
ately after application)
²oven cleaner
²a car wash that uses carbide-tipped wheel clean-
ing brushes
SPECIFICATIONS
WHEEL
SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATION
Wheel Mounting (Lug)
Nut Hex Size19 mm
Wheel Mounting Stud
SizeM12 x 1.5 mm
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´mFt.
Lbs.In.
Lbs.
Wheel Mounting (Lug ) Nut 135 100 Ð
WHEEL COVER
DESCRIPTION
This vehicle uses a bolt-on type wheel cover (Fig.
25).
This bolt-on wheel cover cannot be removed from
the wheel until three of the five wheel mounting nuts
shown are removed (Fig. 25). The bolt-on wheel cover
can then be removed with the remaining two wheel
nuts tightened in place.
REMOVAL
(1) Noting the location of the valve stem in rela-
tionship to the wheel mounting nuts, remove the
three wheel mounting nuts securing the wheel cover
to the wheel and hub (Fig. 25).
CAUTION: When removing the wheel cover, do not
pry the wheel cover from the wheel. This can result
in damage to the wheel cover. The wheel cover is
removed by pulling it off the wheel by hand.
(2) Grasp the wheel cover at the edges in line with
the remaining installed wheel nuts and pull straight
outward from the wheel. This will pop the wheel
cover retaining tabs over the two remaining wheel
nuts, removing the wheel cover from the wheel.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: Wheel mounting nuts must be installed on
the studs as shown to allow installation of the
wheel cover (Fig. 26).
(1) Place the wheel cover on the wheel in the fol-
lowing fashion:
(a) Align the valve notch in the wheel cover with
the valve stem on the wheel.
(b) At the same time, align the two holes in the
wheel cover having the retaining tabs with the two
installed wheel nuts (Fig. 27).
(c) Press in on center of wheel cover until wheel
cover retaining tabs push past and engage rear of
previously installed wheel mounting nuts (Fig. 27).
This will hold the wheel cover in place.
Fig. 25 Nuts Securing Wheel Cover
1 - VALVE STEM
2 - BOLT-ON WHEEL COVER
3 - NUTS SECURING WHEEL COVER
22 - 14 TIRES/WHEELSRS
WHEELS (Continued)
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(2) Install andlightly tightenthe three remain-
ing wheel mounting nuts, securing the wheel cover in
place (Fig. 25).
(3) Tighten all five wheel mounting nuts in the
proper sequence (Fig. 28). Tighten wheel nuts to a
torque of 135 N´m (100 ft. lbs.).
WHEEL MOUNTING STUDS -
FRONT
REMOVAL
CAUTION: If a wheel mounting stud needs to be
replaced in the hub and bearing assembly, the
studs MUST NOT be hammered out of the hub
flange. If a stud is removed by hammering it out of
the bearing flange, damage to the hub and bearing
assembly will occur leading to premature bearing
failure.
(1) Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a
frame contact type hoist. See Hoisting in Lubrication
and Maintenance.
(2) Remove the front wheel and tire assembly from
the vehicle.
(3) Remove the two adapter mounting bolts secur-
ing both the disc brake caliper adapter to the steer-
ing knuckle (Fig. 29).
(4) Remove the disc brake caliper and adapter as
an assembly from the steering knuckle (Fig. 29).
Hang the assembly out of the way using wire or a
bungee cord. Use care not to overextend the brake
hose when doing this.
(5) Remove brake rotor from hub by pulling it
straight off wheel mounting studs (Fig. 29).
(6) On the wheel mounting stud to be removed,
install a wheel mounting (lug) nut far enough so the
threads on the stud are even with end of nut. Install
Remover, Special Tool C-4150A on hub and bearing
assembly flange and wheel stud (Fig. 30).
(7) Tighten down on special tool, pushing wheel
stud out of the hub flange. When shoulder of wheel
stud is past flange, remove special tool from hub and
bearing. Remove nut from stud and remove stud
from hub flange.
Fig. 26 Two Wheel Mounting Nuts Installed
1 - WHEEL
2 - VALVE STEM
3 - HUB PILOT
4 - NUTS
Fig. 27 Wheel Cover Installation Over Two Nuts
1 - RETAINING TABS
2 - VALVE STEM
3 - BOLT-ON WHEEL COVER
Fig. 28 Nut Tightening Sequence
RSTIRES/WHEELS22-15
WHEEL COVER (Continued)
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INSTALLATION
(1) Install replacement wheel stud into flange of
hub and bearing assembly. Install washers on wheel
stud, then install a wheel mounting (lug) nut on stud
with flat side of lug nut against washers as shown
(Fig. 31).
(2) Tighten the nut, pulling the wheel stud into
the flange of the hub and bearing. When the head ofthe stud is fully seated against the rear of the hub
flange, remove nut and washers from stud.
(3) Install the brake rotor back on the hub and
bearing (Fig. 29).
(4) Install brake caliper and adapter back over
brake rotor aligning adapter with mounting holes on
steering knuckle (Fig. 29).
(5) Install the two adapter mounting bolts securing
the adapter to the steering knuckle. Tighten the
mounting bolts to 169 N´m (125 ft. lbs.) torque.
(6) Install wheel and tire assembly on vehicle.
Tighten the wheel mounting lug nuts in proper
sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specifica-
tion, then repeat the tightening sequence to the full
specified torque of 135 N´m (100 ft. lbs.).
(7) Lower vehicle to the ground.
WHEEL MOUNTING STUDS -
REAR
REMOVAL
CAUTION: If a wheel attaching stud needs to be
replaced in the hub and bearing assembly the studs
MUST NOT be hammered out of the hub flange. If a
stud is removed by hammering it out of the bearing
flange, damage to the hub and bearing assembly
will occur leading to premature hub and bearing
failure.
(1) Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a
frame contact type hoist. See Hoisting in Lubrication
and Maintenance.
Fig. 29 Front Brake Mounting
1 - BRAKE ROTOR
2 - HUB AND BEARING
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
4 - ADAPTER MOUNTING BOLTS
5 - BRAKE CALIPER
6 - ADAPTER
7 - CLIP
Fig. 30 Wheel Stud Removal (Typical)
1 - WHEEL MOUNTING (LUG) NUT
2 - HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
3 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4150A
4 - STEERING KNUCKLE
5 - WHEEL STUD
Fig. 31 Installing Wheel Stud (Typical)
1 - WASHERS
2 - HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
3 - WHEEL MOUNTING (LUG) NUT
4 - STEERING KNUCKLE
22 - 16 TIRES/WHEELSRS
WHEEL MOUNTING STUDS - FRONT (Continued)
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(2) Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove the brake drum or disc brake caliper
and rotor. Refer to Brakes.
(4) Install a lug nut on the wheel stud to be
removed from the hub and bearing assembly (Fig. 32)
so the threads on stud are even with end of lug nut.
Install Remover, Special Tool C-4150A on hub and
bearing assembly flange and wheel stud (Fig. 32).
(5) Tightening down on special tool will push
wheel stud out of the hub and bearing assembly
flange.
(6) Remove lug nut from stud and remove wheel
stud from flange.INSTALLATION
(1) Install replacement wheel stud into flange of
hub and bearing assembly. Install washers on wheel
stud, then install a wheel lug nut on stud with flat
side of lug nut against washers (Fig. 33).
(2) Tighten the wheel lug nut, pulling the wheel
stud into the flange of the hub and bearing assembly.
When the head of the stud is fully seated against the
bearing flange, remove lug nut and washers from
wheel stud.
(3) Install the brake drum or disc brake rotor and
caliper on the hub and bearing assembly.
(4) Install wheel and tire assembly on vehicle.
Tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in proper
sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specifica-
tion. Then repeat the tightening sequence to the full
specified torque of 135 N´m (100 ft. lbs.).
(5) Lower vehicle to the ground.
Fig. 32 Wheel Stud Removal From Hub And Bearing
1 - HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
2 - WHEEL MOUNTING (LUG) NUT
3 - WHEEL STUD
4 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4150A
Fig. 33 Wheel Stud Installation
1 - WHEEL MOUNTING (LUG) NUT
2 - HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
3 - WASHERS
4 - WHEEL STUD
RSTIRES/WHEELS22-17
WHEEL MOUNTING STUDS - REAR (Continued)
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(5) Install fuel filler housing to outer quarter
panel.
(6) Verify that all clips on fuel filler housing are
fully engaged to outer quarter panel.
(7) Engage fuel filler lockout link into clip on fuel
fill blocker latch arm.
(8) Install water shield patch covering access hole
in C-pillar.
(9) Install left quarter trim panel.
GRILLE OPENING
REINFORCEMENT
REMOVAL
(1) Release hood latch and open hood.
(2) Remove bolts attaching hood latch to cross-
member and position latch out of the way.
(3) Remove radiator sight shield.
(4) Remove engine air inlet resonator.
(5) Remove hood cable.
(6) Remove hood prop rod.
(7) Remove screw attaching coolant recovery bottle
to crossmember.
(8) Remove bolts attaching radiator isolators to
crossmember.
(9) Remove bolts attaching ends of crossmember to
radiator closure panel (Fig. 14) .
(10) Lift crossmember upward and away from
radiator closure panel.
(11) Remove crossmember from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Place radiator closure panel crossmember in
position on vehicle.
(2) Insert ends of crossmember between layered
metal sections of radiator closure panel at each side
of radiator.
(3) Align with paint breaks around bolt heads.
(4) Install bolts attaching ends of crossmember to
radiator closure panel (Fig. 14) . Tighten bolts to 19
N´m (14 ft. lbs.) torque.
(5) Install bolts attaching radiator isolators to
crossmember.
(6) Install screw attaching coolant recovery bottle
to crossmember.
(7) Install bolt attaching air cleaner housing to
crossmember.
(8) Install engine air inlet resonator.
(9) Install radiator sight shield.
(10) Install hood prop rod.
(11) Align hood latch by placing latch over net
pierce tabs. If alignment is required, flatten tabs.
(12) Install bolts attaching hood latch to cross-
member. Tighten bolts to 13.5 N´m (10 ft. lbs.)
torque.
(13) Verify hood latch operation and hood align-
ment.
FRONT WHEELHOUSE
SPLASH SHIELD
REMOVAL
(1) Hoist and support vehicle on safety stands.
(Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOIST-
ING - STANDARD PROCEDURE)
(2) Remove front wheel. Refer to section 22, Tires/
Wheels, for recommended procedures.
(3) Remove push-in fasteners holding splash shield
to frame rail forward of suspension.
(4) Remove push-in fasteners holding splash shield
to frame rail rearward of suspension.
(5) Remove screws holding wheelhouse splash
shield to front fender.
(6) Remove splash shield from vehicle (Fig. 15).
Fig. 14 Radiator Closure Panel Crossmember
1 - RADIATOR CLOSURE PANEL CROSSMEMBER
2 - FRONT FASCIA
23 - 194 EXTERIORRS
FUEL FILL DOOR BLOCKER LOCKOUT LINK (Continued)
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INSTALLATION
(1) Place splash shield in position on vehicle (Fig.
15) .
(2) Install screws to hold wheelhouse splash shield
to front fender.
(3) Install push-in fasteners to hold splash shield
to frame rail rearward of suspension.
(4) Install push-in fasteners to hold splash shield
to frame rail forward of suspension.
(5) Install front wheel. Refer to Group 22, Wheels
and Tires, for proper procedures.
(6) Lower vehicle.
LUGGAGE RACK RISER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove two fasteners from the front riser.
Gently pull up on the luggage rack side rail and
detach the riser snap to remove riser from the rail.
(2) Repeat for the opposite side, if necessary.
(3) Remove front riser(s) from vehicle (Fig. 16) .
INSTALLATION
(1) Place front riser into position on luggage rack
side rail.
(2) Install two fasteners into the riser.
(3) Repeat for the opposite side, if necessary.
LUGGAGE RACK CROSSBAR
REMOVAL
(1) Remove luggage rack front risers.
(2) Depress stanchion levers down until they click
into the unlock position. (Fig. 17) . Work from side to
side sliding the crossbar assembly forward moving a
little at a time to ensure it remains perpendicular to
the side rails.
(3) Remove crossbar from vehicle.
Fig. 15 Front Wheelhouse Splash Shield
1 - BUMPER FASCIA
2 - FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD
3 - FRONT FENDER
Fig. 16 Luggage Rack Riser Cover
1 - FRONT RISER COVER
2 - LOCK TABS
3 - LUGGAGE RACK SIDE RAIL
4 - FRONT RISER
Fig. 17 Luggage Rack Crossbar
1 - CROSSBAR
2 - SLIDE LOCK
3 - LOCK BUTTON
4 - LUGGAGE RACK SIDE RAIL
RSEXTERIOR23 - 195
FRONT WHEELHOUSE SPLASH SHIELD (Continued)
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