2001 DODGE TOWN AND COUNTRY height adjustment

WHEEL ALIGNMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
DESCRIPTION...........................46
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................49
SUSPENSION AND STEERING............49STANDARD PROCEDURE..................51
WHEEL ALIGNMENT....................51
CURB HEIGHT MEASUREMENT...........54
SPECIFICATIONS........................55
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
DESCRIPTION - WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Vehicle wheel alignment is the positioning of all
interrelated front and rear suspension angles. These
angles affect the handling and steering of the vehicle
when it is in motion. Proper wheel alignment is
essential for efficient steering, good directional stabil-
ity, and proper tire wear.
The method of checking a vehicle's front and rear
wheel alignment varies depending on the manufac-
turer and type of equipment used. The manufactur-
er's instructions should always be followed to ensure
accuracy of the alignment, except when
DaimlerChrysler Corporation's wheel alignment spec-
ifications differ.
On this vehicle, the suspension angles that can be
adjusted are as follows:
²Front Camber (with camber bolt package and
standard procedure)
²Front Toe
Check the wheel alignment and make all wheel
alignment adjustments with the vehicle standing at
its proper curb height specification. Curb height is
the normal riding height of the vehicle. It is mea-
sured from a certain point on the vehicle to the
ground or a designated area while the vehicle is sit-
ting on a flat, level surface. Refer to Curb Height
Measurement in this section for additional informa-
tion.
Typical wheel alignment angles and measurements
are described in the following paragraphs.
CAMBER
Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the top of
the tire and wheel assembly (Fig. 1). Camber is mea-
sured in degrees of angle relative to a true vertical
line. Camber is a tire wearing angle.
²Excessive negative camber will cause tread wear
at the inside of the tire.
²Excessive positive camber will cause tread wear
on the outside of the tire.CROSS CAMBER
Cross camber is the difference between left and
right camber. To achieve the cross camber reading,
subtract the right side camber reading from the left.
For example, if the left camber is +0.3É and the right
camber is 0.0É, the cross camber would be +0.3É.
Fig. 1 Camber
1 - WHEELS TILTED OUT AT TOP
2 - WHEELS TILTED IN AT TOP
2 - 46 WHEEL ALIGNMENTRS
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CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
Excessive Steering Free
Play1. Incorrect Steering Gear Adjustment 1. Adjust Or Replace Steering Gear
2. Worn or loose tie rod ends 2. Replace or tighten tie rod ends
3. Loose steering gear mounting bolts 3. Tighten steering gear bolts to specified
torque
4. Loose or worn steering shaft coupler 4. Replace steering shaft coupler
Excessive Steering Effort 1. Low tire pressure 1. Inflate all tires to recommended
pressure
2. Lack of lubricant in steering gear 2. Replace steering gear
3. Low power steering fluid level 3. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to
correct level
4. Loose power steering pump drive
belt4. Correctly adjust power steering pump
drive belt
5. Lack of lubricant in ball joints 5. Lubricate or replace ball joints
6. Steering gear malfunction 6. Replace steering gear
7. Lack of lubricant in steering coupler 7. Replace steering coupler
STANDARD PROCEDURE - WHEEL ALIGNMENT
PRE-WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION
Before any attempt is made to change or correct
the wheel alignment, the following inspection and
necessary corrections must be made to ensure proper
alignment.
(1) Verify that the fuel tank is full of fuel. If the
tank is not full, the reduction in weight will affect
the curb height of the vehicle and the alignment
angles.
(2) The passenger and luggage compartments of
the vehicle should be free of any load that is not fac-
tory equipment.
(3) Check the tires on the vehicle. All tires must be
the same size and in good condition with approxi-
mately the same amount of tread wear. Inflate all
the tires to the recommended air pressure.
(4) Check the front wheel and tire assemblies for
excessive radial runout.
(5) Inspect lower ball joints and all steering link-
age for looseness, binding, wear or damage. Repair as
necessary.
(6) Check suspension fasteners for proper torque
and retighten as necessary.
(7) Inspect all suspension component rubber bush-
ings for signs of wear or deterioration. Replace any
faulty bushings or components before aligning the
vehicle.
(8) Check the vehicle's curb height to verify it is
within specifications. Refer to Curb Height Measure-
ment.
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SETUP
(1) Position the vehicle on an alignment rack.
(2) Install all required alignment equipment on
the vehicle per the alignment equipment manufactur-
er's instructions. On this vehicle, a four-wheel align-
ment is recommended.
NOTE: Prior to reading the vehicle's alignment
readouts, the front and rear of vehicle should be
jounced. Induce jounce (rear first, then front) by
grasping the center of the bumper and jouncing
each end of vehicle an equal number of times. The
bumper should always be released when vehicle is
at the bottom of the jounce cycle.
(3) Read the vehicle's current front and rear align-
ment settings. Compare the vehicle's current align-
ment settings to the vehicle specifications for camber,
caster and toe-in. (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/
WHEEL ALIGNMENT - SPECIFICATIONS)
(4) If front camber and caster are not within spec-
ifications, proceed to CAMBER AND CASTER below.
If caster and camber are within specifications, pro-
ceed to TOE which can be found following CAMBER
AND CASTER. Rear camber, caster and toe are not
adjustable. If found not to be within specifications,
reinspect for damaged suspension or body compo-
nents and replace as necessary.
CAMBER AND CASTER
Camber and caster settings on this vehicle are
determined at the time the vehicle is designed, by
the location of the vehicle's suspension components.
This is referred to as NET BUILD. The result is no
RSWHEEL ALIGNMENT2-51
WHEEL ALIGNMENT (Continued)
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CAUTION: Do not twist front inner tie rod to steer-
ing gear rubber boots during front wheel Toe
adjustment.
(2) Loosen front inner to outer tie rod end jam
nuts (Fig. 12). Grasp inner tie rods at serrations and
rotate inner tie rods of steering gear (Fig. 12) to set
front toe to the preferred toe specification. (Refer to 2
- SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - SPECIFI-
CATIONS)
(3) Tighten tie rod jam nuts (Fig. 12) to 75 N´m
(55 ft. lbs.) torque.(4) Adjust steering gear to tie rod boots at the
inner tie rod.
(5) Remove steering wheel clamp.
(6) Remove the alignment equipment.
(7)
Road test the vehicle to verify the steering wheel
is straight and the vehicle does not wander or pull.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - CURB HEIGHT
MEASUREMENT
The wheel alignment is to be checked and all align-
ment adjustments made with the vehicle at its
required curb height specification.
Vehicle height is to be checked with the vehicle on
a flat, level surface, preferably a vehicle alignment
rack. The tires are to be inflated to the recommended
pressure. All tires are to be the same size as stan-
dard equipment. Vehicle height is checked with the
fuel tank full of fuel, and no passenger or luggage
compartment load.
Vehicle height is not adjustable. If the measure-
ment is not within specifications, inspect the vehicle
for bent or weak suspension components. Compare
the parts tag on the suspect coil spring(s) to the
parts book and the vehicle sales code, checking for a
match. Once removed from the vehicle, compare the
coil spring height to a correct new or known good coil
spring. The heights should vary if the suspect spring
is weak.
(1) Measure from the inboard edge of the wheel
opening fender lip directly above the wheel center
(spindle), to the floor or alignment rack surface.
(2) When measuring, the maximum left-to-right
differential is not to exceed 12.5 mm (0.5 in.).
(3) Compare the measurements to the specifica-
tions listed in the following CURB HEIGHT SPECI-
FICATIONS chart.
CURB HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS - LONG WHEEL BASE VEHICLES
TIRE SALES CODE/TIRE SIZE FRONT REAR
TM4 / 215/70 R 15754 mm610 mm 770 mm610 mm
29.68 in.60.39 in. 30.31 in.60.39 in.
TM5 / 215/65 R 16755 mm610 mm 771 mm610 mm
29.72 in.60.39 in. 30.35 in.60.39 in.
TTU / 215/60 R 17758 mm610 mm 774 mm610 mm
29.84 in.60.39 in. 30.47 in.60.39 in.
CURB HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS - SHORT WHEEL BASE VEHICLES
TIRE SALES CODE/TIRE SIZE FRONT REAR
TM4 / 215/70 R 15755 mm610 mm 770 mm610 mm
29.72 in.60.39 in. 30.31 in.60.39 in.
TM5 / 215/65 R 16756 mm610 mm 771 mm610 mm
29.76 in.60.39 in. 30.35 in.60.39 in.
Fig. 12 Front Wheel Toe Adjustment
1 - INNER TIE ROD SERRATION
2 - OUTER TIE ROD JAM NUT
3 - OUTER TIE ROD END
4 - INNER TIE ROD
5 - STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - 54 WHEEL ALIGNMENTRS
WHEEL ALIGNMENT (Continued)
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WHEEL ALIGNMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
STANDARD PROCEDURE...................3CURB HEIGHT MEASUREMENT............3
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
STANDARD PROCEDURE - CURB HEIGHT
MEASUREMENT
The wheel alignment is to be checked and all align-
ment adjustments made with the vehicle at its
required curb height specification.
Vehicle height is to be checked with the vehicle on
a flat, level surface, preferably a vehicle alignment
rack. The tires are to be inflated to the recommended
pressure. All tires are to be the same size as stan-
dard equipment. Vehicle height is checked with the
fuel tank full of fuel, and no passenger or luggage
compartment load.
Vehicle height is not adjustable. If the measure-
ment is not within specifications, inspect the vehiclefor bent or weak suspension components. Compare
the parts tag on the suspect coil spring(s) to the
parts book and the vehicle sales code, checking for a
match. Once removed from the vehicle, compare the
coil spring height to a correct new or known good coil
spring. The heights should vary if the suspect spring
is weak.
(1) Measure from the inboard edge of the wheel
opening fender lip directly above the wheel center
(spindle), to the floor or alignment rack surface.
(2) When measuring, the maximum left-to-right
differential is not to exceed 12.5 mm (0.5 in.).
(3) Compare the measurements to the specifica-
tions listed in the following Curb Height Specifica-
tions charts.
CURB HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS - LONG WHEEL BASE VEHICLES WITH SDF SUSPENSION
TIRE SALES CODE/TIRE SIZE FRONT REAR
TMM / 215/65 R 16756mm 10mm
29.76 in.   0.39 in.772mm 10mm
30.39 in.   0.39 in.
CURB HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS - LONG WHEEL BASE VEHICLES WITH SDF + SER
SUSPENSION
TIRE SALES CODE/TIRE SIZE FRONT REAR
TMM / 215/65 R 16756mm 10mm
29.76 in.   0.39 in.771mm 10mm
30.35 in.   0.39 in.
CURB HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS - SHORT WHEEL BASE VEHICLES
TIRE SALES CODE/TIRE SIZE FRONT REAR
TMM / 215/65 R 16755mm 10mm
29.72 in.   0.39 in.770mm 10mm
30.31 in.   0.39 in.
RGWHEEL ALIGNMENT2a-3
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JUNCTION BLOCK
DESCRIPTION...........................32
OPERATION.............................32
REMOVAL..............................32
INSTALLATION...........................33
MASTER CYLINDER
DESCRIPTION...........................33
OPERATION.............................34
STANDARD PROCEDURE..................34
MASTER CYLINDER BLEEDING...........34
REMOVAL..............................34
DISASSEMBLY...........................35
ASSEMBLY.............................36
INSTALLATION...........................36
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER
DESCRIPTION...........................37
OPERATION.............................37
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................38
POWER BRAKE BOOSTER...............38
REMOVAL..............................38
INSTALLATION...........................40
PROPORTIONING VALVE
DESCRIPTION...........................41
OPERATION.............................42
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................42
PROPORTIONING VALVE (HEIGHT
SENSING).............................42
REMOVAL..............................43
INSTALLATION...........................43
ROTORS
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................44BRAKE ROTOR........................44
STANDARD PROCEDURE..................47
BRAKE ROTOR MACHINING..............47
REMOVAL..............................48
INSTALLATION...........................48
SUPPORT PLATE - DRUM BRAKE
REMOVAL..............................48
INSTALLATION...........................49
WHEEL CYLINDERS
REMOVAL..............................50
INSPECTION............................50
INSTALLATION...........................50
PARKING BRAKE
DESCRIPTION...........................50
OPERATION.............................51
STANDARD PROCEDURE..................51
PARKING BRAKE AUTOMATIC ADJUSTER
MECHANISM RELEASE..................51
PARKING BRAKE AUTOMATIC ADJUSTER
RESET...............................51
LEVER - PARKING BRAKE
REMOVAL..............................52
INSTALLATION...........................53
SHOES - PARKING BRAKE
REMOVAL..............................53
INSTALLATION...........................58
ADJUSTMENTS..........................59
CABLES - PARKING BRAKE
REMOVAL..............................61
INSTALLATION...........................65
ADJUSTMENTS..........................66
BRAKES - BASE
DESCRIPTION - BASE BRAKES
The base brake system consists of the following
components:
²Brake pedal
²Power brake booster
²Master cylinder
²Brake tubes and hoses
²Proportioning valve (non-ABS vehicles only)
²Disc brakes
²Drum brakes
²Brake lamp switch
²Brake fluid level switch
²Parking brakes
Front disc brakes control the braking of the front
wheels; rear braking is controlled by rear drum
brakes or rear disc brakes depending on options.
The hydraulic brake system is diagonally split on
both the non-antilock braking systems and antilock
braking systems. That means the left front and right
rear brakes are on one hydraulic circuit and the right
front and left rear are on the other.For information on the brake lamp switch, (Refer
to 8 - ELECTRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERI-
OR/BRAKE LAMP SWITCH - DESCRIPTION)
Vehicles equipped with the optional antilock brake
system (ABS) use a system designated Mark 20e. It
is available with or without traction control. This
system shares most base brake hardware used on
vehicles without ABS. ABS components are described
in detail in ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM.
OPERATION - BASE BRAKES
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
to the brakes at each tire and wheel assembly.
The parking brakes are foot-operated. When
applied, the parking brake lever pulls on cables that
actuate brake shoes at each rear wheel. These shoes
come in contact with a hub mounted drum (drum for
5 - 2 BRAKES - BASERS
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DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATION
CRANKSHAFT
Front Journal Diameter
Nominal 62.985-63.005 mm
-0.25 62.735-62.755 mm
-0.125 62.860-62.880 mm
Front Bearing Diameter
Nominal 63.045-63.074 mm
-0.25 62.795-62.824 mm
-0.125 62.920-62.949 mm
Clearance Between
Journal and Bearing0.040-0.089 mm
Center Journal Diameter
Nominal 63.005-63.020 mm
-0.25 62.755-62.770 mm
-0.125 62.880-62.895 mm
Center Bearing Diameter
Nominal 63.969-63.997 mm
-0.25 62.719-62.747 mm
-0.125 62.844-62.872 mm
Clearance Between
Journal and Bearing0.008-0.051 mm
Rear Journal Diameter
Nominal 89.980-90.000 mm
-0.25 89.730-99.750 mm
-0.125 89.855-99.875 mm
Rear Bearing Diameter
Nominal 90.045-90.065 mm
-0.25 89.795-89.815 mm
-0.125 89.920-89.940 mm
Clearance Between
Journal and Bearing0.045-0.085 mm
Wear Limit 0.200 mm
Connecting Rod Journal
Nominal 53.977-54.016 mm
-0.25 53.690-53.705 mm
-0.125 53.815-53.830 mm
Connecting Rod Bearing
Nominal 53.977-54.016 mm
-0.25 53.727-53.766 mm
-0.125 53.852-53.891 mm
Clearance Between
Journal and Bearing0.022-0.076 mm
Wear Limit 0.200 mmDESCRIPTION SPECIFICATION
Crankshaft End Play
End Play 0.080-0.280 mm
Adjustment Thrust Washers
Thrust Washers Available 2.31-2.36 mm
2.41-2.46 mm
2.51-2.56mm
MAIN BEARING CARRIERS
Internal Diameter
Front 67.025-67.050 mm
Center 66.670-66.687 mm
Rear 85.985-86.005 mm
LINERS
Internal Diameter 91.997-92.015 mm
Protrusion 0.01-0.06 mm
Adjustment Shims
Available Shims 0.15 mm
0.17 mm
0.20 mm
0.23 mm
0.25 mm
CYLINDER HEAD
Minimum Thickness 89.95-90.05 mm
Gasket Thickness 1.32 mm   0.08, 0
notches
1.42 mm   0.08, 1 notch
1.52 mm   0.08, 2
notches
End Plates
Height 89.92-90.00 mm
CONNECTING RODS
Weight (without the
crankbearing)1129-1195 grams
Small End Bearing
Internal Diameter
Minimum 30.035 mm
Maximum 30.050 mm
Large End Internal
Diameter53.977-54.016 mm
PISTONS
Skirt Diameter (measured
at approximately 10 mm
above the bottom of the
skirt)91.912-91.928 mm
Piston Clearance 0.065-0.083 mm
9a - 8 ENGINE 2.5L TURBO DIESELRG
ENGINE 2.5L TURBO DIESEL (Continued)
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(8) Install center roller channel end cover (Fig. 16).
(9) Install center stop on sliding door. (Refer to 23
- BODY/DOORS - SLIDING/STOP BUMPER -
INSTALLATION)
(10) Place upper roller stop bumper in position on
upper roller arm.
(11) Install screw to hold upper roller arm stop
bumper to upper roller arm (Fig. 14).
(12) Remove masking tape from body surfaces.
(13) Verify door operation and fit. Adjust as neces-
sary. (Refer to 23 - BODY/DOORS - SLIDING/SLID-
ING DOOR - ADJUSTMENTS)
SLIDING DOOR ADJUSTMENTS
NOTE: For power sliding door procedures refer to
POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM in the ELECTRI-
CAL section.
PRELIMINARY CHECKS
(1) Close the sliding door, visually checking C-post
striker alignment entry into latch. Striker at this
point must not affect alignment. Striker should go
straight into the latching mechanism.
(2) On vehicles with left sliding doors, check the
fuel door blocker striker entry into latch. Striker at
this point must not affect alignment.
(3) Check C-post and B-post for door to aperture
gaps and door to door gaps. All gaps should be 5 mm
  1 mm.
(4) Check door for height using character lines as
a reference. Also check roof contour as a controlling
factor.
Using the procedures noted below, adjust the side
door in the order the individual steps are called out.
DOOR FLUSHNESS ADJUSTMENT
(1) Check sliding door flushness at the C-pillar
striker.
(2) Adjust the C-pillar striker in or out untill the
door is flush.
(3) Check upper B-pillar flushness to A-pillar
cover.
(4) Loosen one nut on upper hinge and adjust door
in or out untill the door is flush.
(5) Check flushness at upper C-pillar.
(6) If upper C-pillar flushness is out of specifica-
tion use a heavy rubber malet on the door assembly
until door is in spec.
DOOR GAP ADJUSTMENT - UP/DOWN
UP/DOWN ADJUSTMENT
(1) Visually inspect the sliding door for fitting low
at the top of the door by checking the alignment of
the top contour of the door to the quarter panel.(2) Fully open the sliding door.
(3) Verify that all center hinge bolts are tight.
(4) Adjust the rear of the sliding door up by turn-
ing the center hinge bolt clockwise (Fig. 19).
(5) Close the door and check the sliding door align-
ment.
(6) Fully open door and apply thread lock nut onto
the center hinge bolt. Tighten nut until till it butts
up against the welded nut on the center hinge.
Tighten nut to 15 N´m (130 in. lbs.). It may be nec-
essary to hold the center hinge bolt to prevent it
from turning while tightening nut.
(7) Verify alignment. Re-adjust as necessary.
DOOR GAP ADJUSTMENT - FORE/AFT
FORE/AFT ADJUSTMENT
(1) Check height of sliding door at the B-post and
C-post to determine which area is contributing the
greatest to the incorrect gaps.
(2) If the sliding door is high at the C-post;
(a) Open the door to mid-point of travel.
(b) Mark outline of center hinge on sliding door
to assist in making adjustments.
(c) Loosen center hinge bolts (Fig. 19).
(d) Move hinge fore or aft to position the sliding
door into the correct location.
(e) Tighten center hinge bolts.
(f) Verify alignment. Re-adjust as necessary.
(3) If the sliding door is low at the B-post;
(a) Remove access plug in the sliding door trim
panel.
(b) Open the door to mid-point of travel.
Fig. 19 Sliding Door Center Hinge
1 - ADJUSTING BOLT
2 - WELD NUT
RSDOORS - SLIDING23 - 171
SLIDING DOOR (Continued)
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