2002 CHRYSLER CARAVAN suspension

(4) Wipe any grease off the ball joint stem using a
clean shop towel with MopartBrake Parts Cleaner
applied to it.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to install a normal grease
zirc in the ball joint an lubricate the joint through
the zirc fitting.
(5) Reinstall steering knuckle on vehicle. (Refer to
2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/KNUCKLE - INSTALLA-
TION)
INSTALLATION - EXPORT
(1) Place a liberal dab of MopartWheel Bearing
Grease around the base of the ball joint stem at the
socket.
(2) Install aNEWseal boot by hand as far as pos-
sible on the ball joint.
CAUTION: Do not use an arbor press to install the
sealing boot on the ball joint. Damage to the seal-
ing boot will occur if excessive pressure is applied
to the sealing boot when it is being installed.
(3) Place Installer, Special Tool 6758, over seal
boot and squarely align it with bottom edge of seal
boot (Fig. 20). Apply hand pressure to Special Tool
6758 until seal boot is pressed squarely against top
surface of lower control arm.
(4) Wipe any grease off the ball joint stem.
(5) Place the shield over the top of the seal boot
and stretch it into the groove at the top of the seal
boot.CAUTION: Do not attempt to install a normal grease
zirc in the ball joint and lubricate the joint through
the zirc fitting.
(6) Reinstall steering knuckle on vehicle. (Refer to
2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/KNUCKLE - INSTALLA-
TION)
LOWER CONTROL ARM
DESCRIPTION
The lower control arm is mounted to the front sus-
pension crossmember using a pivot bolt through the
center of the front pivot bushing, and the front sus-
pension cradle crossmember reinforcement traps the
rear bushing in the crossmember (Fig. 1).
The lower control arm is an iron casting with two
rubber bushings and a ball joint. The lower control
arm front bushing is the spool type and is pressed
into the lower control arm. The standard (Low-line)
lower control arm rear bushing is a push-on bushing
that is pushed over a stem on the rear of the lower
control arm. The optional (High-line, Premium,
Sport) lower control arm rear bushing is a hydro-
bushing that is pressed on. It has liquid filled voids
that provide more effective dampening than the stan-
dard bushing. Vehicles with rear hydro-bushings uti-
lize a different lower control arm than vehicles with
standard bushings. They have a straight slightly
tapered round stem where the hydro-bushing is
mounted whereas the standard arm has a straight
stem with a squared knob on the end to retain the
bushing.
The lower control arm ball joint is pressed into the
outer end of the arm. The ball joint has a tapered
stud and retainer nut for fastening it to the steering
knuckle.
OPERATION
The lower control arm supports the lower end of
the steering knuckle and allows for the up and down
movement of the suspension during the jounce and
rebound travel. The lower control arm ball joint con-
nects the arm to the steering knuckle.
REMOVAL - LOWER CONTROL ARM
(1) Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)
(2) Remove wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove the steering knuckle. (Refer to 2 -
SUSPENSION/FRONT/KNUCKLE - REMOVAL)
(4) Remove the bolts fastening the power steering
cooler to the front suspension cradle crossmember
reinforcement (Fig. 21).
Fig. 20 Installing Ball Joint Seal Boot (Typical)
1 - SHIELD (NOT ON RG VEHICLE)
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 6758
3 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
4 - BALL JOINT SEAL BOOT
2 - 12 FRONT SUSPENSIONRS
LOWER BALL JOINT SEAL BOOT (Continued)
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(5) Remove the lower control arm rear bushing
retainer bolts located on each side of each lower con-
trol arm rear bushing.
NOTE: The bolts fastening the cradle crossmember
reinforcement are of three different thread sizes.
Note the location of the various sizes.
(6) Remove the bolts attaching the cradle cross-
member reinforcement to the front suspension cradle
crossmember (Fig. 22). Remove the 2 bolts fastening
the reinforcement and rear of cradle crossmember to
the body of the vehicle. Remove the reinforcement.
(7) Remove the pivot bolt attaching the front bush-
ing of the lower control arm to the front suspension
cradle crossmember.
(8) Remove the lower control arm.
DISASSEMBLY
DISASSEMBLY - LOWER CONTROL ARM
(REAR BUSHING - STANDARD)
(1) Remove the lower control arm from the front
suspension cradle. (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/
FRONT/LOWER CONTROL ARM - REMOVAL)
(2) Mount the lower control arm in a visewithout
using excessive clamping force.
(3) Using a sharp knife (such as a razor), slit the
bushing lengthwise (Fig. 23) to allow its removal
from the lower control arm (Fig. 23).
(4) Remove the bushing from the lower control
arm.
DISASSEMBLY - LOWER CONTROL ARM
(REAR BUSHING - HYDRO)
(1) Remove the lower control arm from the front
suspension cradle. (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/
FRONT/LOWER CONTROL ARM - REMOVAL)
(2) Mount the lower control arm in a visewithout
using excessive clamping force.
(3) Install Remover, Special Tool 8460, on hydro-
bushing as shown (Fig. 24). Removal Pin, Special
Tool 8460±3, must extend though hole in center of
bushing rear.
(4) Tighten forcing screw of Bridge (Special Tool
8460±1), removing bushing from lower control arm.
Fig. 21 Power Steering Cooler
1 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER REINFORCEMENT
2 - POWER STEERING COOLER
Fig. 22 Cradle Crossmember Reinforcement
Attachment
1 - STEERING GEAR
2 - RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM
3 - LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM
4 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER REINFORCEMENT
5 - REAR CRADLE CROSSMEMBER ISOLATOR BUSHING
6 - STABILIZER BAR
7 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER
RSFRONT SUSPENSION2-13
LOWER CONTROL ARM (Continued)
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INSPECTION - LOWER CONTROL ARM
Inspect lower control arm for signs of damage from
contact with the ground or road debris. If lower con-
trol arm shows any sign of damage, inspect lower
control arm for distortion. Do not attempt to repair
or straighten a broken or bent lower control arm. If
damaged, the lower control arm casting is serviced
only as a complete component.
Inspect both lower control arm isolator bushings
for severe deterioration, and replace as required.
Inspect the rear hydro-bushing for seepage. Both
type rear bushings are serviceable. If the front bush-
ing fails, the lower control arm must be replaced.Inspect and test the ball joint per the procedure
listed in Lower Ball Joint. (Refer to 2 - SUSPEN-
SION/FRONT/LOWER BALL JOINT - DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTING)
ASSEMBLY
ASSEMBLY - LOWER CONTROL ARM (REAR
BUSHING - STANDARD)
CAUTION: Do not apply grease or any other type of
lubricant other than the silicone lubricant specified
below to the control arm bushing.
(1) Apply Mopar Silicone Spray Lube or an equiv-
alent, to the hole in lower control arm rear bushing.
This will aid in the installation of the bushing on the
lower control arm.
(2) With the lower control arm held securely in a
vise, install bushing on lower control arm. Install
bushing by pushing and rocking the bushing until it
is fully installed on lower control arm. Be sure that
when bushing is installed it is past the upset on the
end of the lower control arm (Fig. 25).
(3) The rear bushing of the lower control arm,
when correctly installed, is to be positioned on the
lower control arm as shown (Fig. 25).
(4) Install lower control arm on vehicle. (Refer to 2
- SUSPENSION/FRONT/LOWER CONTROL ARM -
INSTALLATION)
Fig. 23 Slit Lower Control Arm Rear Bushing
1 - REAR BUSHING
2 - SLIT CUT IN BUSHING
3 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
Fig. 24 HYDRO-BUSHING REMOVAL
1 - REMOVAL PIN (8460-3)
2 - BRIDGE (8460-1)
3 - HYDRO-BUSHING
4 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
Fig. 25 Correctly Installed Lower Control Arm
Bushing
1 - ROUND SURFACE OF BUSHING
2 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
3 - LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR BUSHING
4 - UPSET
5 - FLAT SURFACE OF BUSHING
2 - 14 FRONT SUSPENSIONRS
LOWER CONTROL ARM (Continued)
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ASSEMBLY - LOWER CONTROL ARM (REAR
BUSHING - HYDRO)
CAUTION: Do not apply grease or any other type of
lubricant to the arm stem where the bushing is to
be mounted. Such action will reduce proper bush-
ing adhesion to arm.
(1) Secure lower control arm in a vise.
NOTE: Hydro bushings and grooves on control arm
stems are unique for right and left sides. Left side
bushing master spline and control arm groove are
on the top (when mounted on vehicle). Right side
bushing master spline and control arm groove are
on the bottom (when mounted on vehicle).
(2) Align master spline on bushing inner sleeve
with groove on lower control arm rear bushing stem
(Fig. 26). Start bushing on stem by hand.
(3) Install Remover/Installer, Special Tool 8460,
over bushing and lower control arm as shown (Fig.
27). Engage flange on lower control arm with tips of
Bridge, Special Tool 8460±1 as shown (Fig. 27). The
contoured side of Installer Cup, Special Tool 8460±2,
should be fitted up against rear of the bushing.
(4) Begin to tighten forcing screw. As bushing
nears lower control arm flange, place Spacer Plate,
Special Tool 8460±4 between flange and bushing
inner sleeve, straddling the stem as shown (Fig. 28).
(5) Install bushing up against Spacer Plate, tight-
ening the bridge forcing screw with a torque wrench
until approximately 50 N´m (37 ft. lbs.) torque isreached. This will properly space bushing on the
stem in relation to the flange.
(6) Back off the forcing screw and remove tool.
(7) Install lower control arm on vehicle. (Refer to 2
- SUSPENSION/FRONT/LOWER CONTROL ARM -
INSTALLATION)
INSTALLATION - LOWER CONTROL ARM
(1) Position lower control arm assembly into front
suspension cradle crossmember guiding bushings into
mounting position (Fig. 22).
Fig. 26 BUSHING MASTER SPLINE LINED UP WITH
GROOVE (RIGHT SIDE SHOWN)
1 - GROOVE
2 - HYDRO-BUSHING
3 - MASTER SPLINE
Fig. 27 HYDRO-BUSHING INSTALLATION
1 - LOWER CONTROL ARM FLANGE
2 - INSTALLER CUP (8460-2)
3 - BRIDGE (8460-1)
4 - HYDRO-BUSHING
Fig. 28 SPACER PLATE POSITIONED
1 - SPACER PLATE (8460-4)
2 - LOWER CONTROL ARM FLANGE
3 - BRIDGE (8460-1)
4 - INSTALLER CUP (8460-2)
5 - HYDRO-BUSHING
RSFRONT SUSPENSION2-15
LOWER CONTROL ARM (Continued)
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(2) Install NEW pivot bolt attaching front bushing
of lower control arm to front suspension cradle cross-
member (Fig. 29).Do not tighten or torque pivot
bolt at this time.
(3) Install the reinforcement on the front suspen-
sion cradle crossmember and install the bolts attach-
ing the reinforcement to the cradle crossmember
(Fig. 22). Tighten the M-14 size bolts to a torque of
153 N´m (113 ft. lbs.). Tighten the M-12 size bolts to
a torque of 106 N´m (78 ft. lbs.).
(4) Install the lower control arm rear bushing
retainer bolts through reinforcement on each side of
each lower control arm rear bushing. Tighten these
M-10 size bolts to a torque of 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.).
(5) Install the two bolts and bushings attaching
the reinforcement and rear of cradle crossmember to
body of vehicle (Fig. 22). Tighten bolts to a torque of
163 N´m (120 ft. lbs.).
(6) Install the power steering cooler (Fig. 21).
Tighten bolts to a torque of 11 N´m (100 in. lbs.).
(7) Reinstall steering knuckle, brake rotor and cal-
iper. (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/KNUCKLE
- INSTALLATION)
CAUTION: When locating jack stands under lower
control arms, do not place the jack stands under
the ball joints (Fig. 30).
(8) Position jack stands under the lower control
arms as close to the ball joints as possible (Fig. 30).
Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands until the jack
stands are supporting the total weight of the vehicle.
(9) Tighten front lower control arm pivot bolt to a
torque of 183 N´m (135 ft. lbs.).(10) Install the wheel and tire assembly. Install
and 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.).
(11) Raise vehicle, remove jack stands and lower
vehicle to the ground.
(12) Perform front wheel alignment as necessary.
(Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT -
STANDARD PROCEDURE)
STABILIZER BAR
DESCRIPTION
The stabilizer bar interconnects both front struts of
the vehicle and is attached to the front crossmember
(Fig. 1) .
Attachment of the stabilizer bar to the front cross-
member is through 2 rubber-isolator cushion bush-
ings and retainers. A double ball jointed stabilizer
bar link is used to attach each end of the stabilizer
bar to the front strut assemblies. All parts of the sta-
bilizer bar are replaceable as individual components.
The stabilizer bar to front crossmember cushion
bushings are split for easy removal and installation.
The split in the bushings should be positioned toward
the rear of the vehicle, with the square corner facing
down, when the stabilizer bar is installed.
OPERATION
Jounce and rebound movements affecting one
wheel are partially transmitted to the opposite wheel
of the vehicle through the stabilizer bar. This helps
Fig. 29 Lower Control Arm Bushing Pivot Bolt
Correctly Installed
1 - PIVOT BOLT
2 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
3 - FRONT SUSPENSION CRADLE CROSSMEMBER
Fig. 30 Jack Stands Supporting Vehicle Weight
1 - LOWER CONTROL ARMS
2 - BALL JOINT
3 - JACK STANDS
4 - BALL JOINT
2 - 16 FRONT SUSPENSIONRS
LOWER CONTROL ARM (Continued)
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to minimize the body roll of the vehicle during sus-
pension movement.
Connecting the stabilizer bar links to the strut
assemblies helps reduce the fore-and-aft rate of the
stabilizer bar from the rest of the front suspension.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)
(2) Remove the bolts fastening the power steering
cooler to the front suspension cradle crossmember
reinforcement (Fig. 31).
(3) Remove the lower control arm rear bushing
retainer bolts located on each side of each lower con-
trol arm rear bushing.
NOTE: The bolts fastening the cradle crossmember
reinforcement are of two different thread sizes. Note
the location of the various sizes.
(4) Remove the bolts attaching the cradle cross-
member reinforcement to the front suspension cradle
crossmember (Fig. 32). Remove the 2 bolts fastening
the reinforcement and rear of cradle crossmember to
the body of the vehicle. Remove the reinforcement.
CAUTION: When removing the nut from the stud of
the stabilizer bar link, do not allow the stud to
rotate in it's socket. Hold the stud from rotating by
placing an open-end wrench on the flat machined
into the stud (Fig. 33).(5) Remove the stabilizer bar links from each end
of the stabilizer bar (Fig. 33). To do so, place an open-
end wrench on the flat machined into the link's
mounting stud, then remove the nut while holding
the wrench in place. Push each stud out of the hole
in the stabilizer bar.
(6) Remove the stabilizer bar bushing (cushion)
retainers from the front suspension cradle crossmem-
ber (Fig. 34).
(7) Remove the stabilizer bar and bushings (cush-
ions) as an assembly from the front suspension cra-
dle crossmember.
INSPECTION
Inspect for broken or distorted stabilizer bar bush-
ings (cushions), bushing retainers, and worn or dam-
aged stabilizer bar links.
Fig. 31 Power Steering Cooler
1 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER REINFORCEMENT
2 - POWER STEERING COOLER
Fig. 32 Cradle Crossmember Reinforcement
Attachment
1 - STEERING GEAR
2 - RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM
3 - LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM
4 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER REINFORCEMENT
5 - REAR CRADLE CROSSMEMBER ISOLATOR BUSHING
6 - STABILIZER BAR
7 - CRADLE CROSSMEMBER
RSFRONT SUSPENSION2-17
STABILIZER BAR (Continued)
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INSTALLATION
NOTE: Two different diameter stabilizer bars are
available for this vehicle. Therefore, two different
size bushings/cushions are also used. Use the cor-
rect bushing/cushion on the correct stabilizer bar.(1) If the stabilizer bar to front suspension cradle
bushings require replacement at time of inspection,
install new bushings before installing stabilizer bar.
Bushings are replaced by opening slit on bushings
and peeling them off stabilizer bar. Install new bush-
ings on stabilizer bar by spreading bushing at slit
and forcing them on the stabilizer bar.Bushings
must be installed on stabilizer bar so slit in
bushing will be facing toward the rear of vehi-
cle with the square corner toward the ground,
when the stabilizer bar is installed on the vehi-
cle (Fig. 35).
(2) Position stabilizer bar into front suspension
cradle so stabilizer bar bushings are aligned with
depressions in cradle. Install stabilizer bar bushing
retainers onto crossmember aligning raised bead on
retainer with cutouts in bushings (Fig. 36).Do not
tighten Stabilizer bar bushing retainers bolts at
this time.
(3) Check position of the stabilizer bar in the front
suspension cradle. The center of the curved section of
the stabilizer bar must be aligned with the raised
line in the center of the front suspension cradle (Fig.
37).
(4) Install the stabilizer bar link mounting stud
through the hole in each end of the stabilizer bar
(Fig. 33).
CAUTION: When installing the nut on the mounting
stud of the stabilizer bar link, do not allow the stud
to rotate in it's socket. Hold the stud from rotating
by placing an open-end wrench on the flat
machined into the stud (Fig. 33).
Fig. 33 Stabilizer Bar Link To Stabilizer Bar
Attachment
1 - RATCHET
2 - WRENCH
3 - STRUT
4 - STABILIZER BAR LINK
5 - NUT
6 - STABILIZER BAR
Fig. 34 Front Stabilizer Bar Retainers
1 - STEERING GEAR
2 - STABILIZER BAR
3 - RAISED BEAD
4 - FRONT CRADLE CROSSMEMBER
5 - RETAINERS
Fig. 35 Correctly Installed Stabilizer Bar To Cradle
Bushing
1 - SWAY BAR ISOLATOR BUSHING
2 - SLIT IN SWAY BAR BUSHING
3-SWAYBAR
2 - 18 FRONT SUSPENSIONRS
STABILIZER BAR (Continued)
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(5) Hand-thread the nut on the end of each stabi-
lizer bar link stud. Hold the studs from turning by
placing an open-end wrench on the flat machined
into the link's mounting stud, then tighten each nut
while holding the wrench in place (Fig. 33). Tighten
each nut to a torque of 88 N´m (65 ft. lbs.).(6) Tighten the stabilizer bar bushing retainer to
cradle attaching bolts (Fig. 34) to 68 N´m (50 ft. lbs.)
torque.
(7) Install the reinforcement on the front suspen-
sion cradle crossmember and install the bolts attach-
ing the reinforcement to the cradle crossmember
(Fig. 32). Tighten the M-14 size bolts to a torque of
153 N´m (113 ft. lbs.). Tighten the M-12 size bolts to
a torque of 106 N´m (78 ft. lbs.).
(8) Install the lower control arm rear bushing
retainer bolts through reinforcement on each side of
each lower control arm rear bushing. Tighten these
M-10 size bolts to a torque of 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.).
(9) Install the two bolts and bushings attaching
the reinforcement and rear of cradle crossmember to
body of vehicle (Fig. 32). Tighten bolts to a torque of
163 N´m (120 ft. lbs.).
(10) Install the power steering cooler (Fig. 31).
Tighten bolts to a torque of 11 N´m (100 in. lbs.).
(11) Lower the vehicle.
STRUT
DESCRIPTION - STRUT ASSEMBLY
A Macpherson type strut assembly is used in place
of a conventional front suspension's upper control
arm and upper ball joint. The bottom of the strut
mounts directly to the steering knuckle using two
bolts and nuts going through the strut clevis bracket
and steering knuckle. The top of the strut mounts
directly to the strut tower of the vehicle using the
threaded studs on the strut assemblies upper mount.
The strut assembly includes the components listed
in the figure (Fig. 38).
Each component is serviced by removing the strut
assembly from the vehicle and disassembling it.
The coil springs are side-oriented. Springs on the
left side of the vehicle have a left-hand wind top-to-
bottom while springs on the right side have a right-
hand wind top-to-bottom. This helps provide better
vehicle stability during jounce and rebound maneu-
vers of the front suspension. Left and right springs
must not be interchanged. Coil springs are rated sep-
arately for each corner or side of the vehicle depend-
ing on optional equipment and type of vehicle
service. If the coil springs require replacement, be
sure that the springs are replaced with springs meet-
ing the correct load rating and spring rate for the
vehicle and its specific options.
OPERATION - STRUT ASSEMBLY
The strut assembly cushions the ride of the vehicle,
controlling vibration, along with jounce and rebound
of the suspension.
Fig. 36 Stabilizer Bar Bushing Retainer Installation
1-SWAYBAR
2 - SWAY BAR BUSHING
3 - BUSHING SPLIT
4 - FRONT SUSPENSION CRADLE
5 - BUSHING CUT-OUT
6 - BUSHING RETAINER
7 - RAISED BEAD
Fig. 37 Stabilizer Bar Correctly Positioned In Cradle
1 - RAISED BEAD
2-SWAYBAR
3 - WHEN INSTALLING SWAY BAR THE RAISED BEAD ON THE
SUSPENSION CRADLE MUST BE IN THE CENTER OF RADIUS
IN SWAY BAR
4 - FRONT SUSPENSION CRADLE
RSFRONT SUSPENSION2-19
STABILIZER BAR (Continued)
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