2005 CHRYSLER CARAVAN body

(9) Loosen and remove the nuts from the spring
shackle (Fig. 35).
(10) Remove the shackle plate from the hanger
and remove the spring from the spring hanger (Fig.
35).
(11) Remove the leaf spring from the vehicle.
(12) Loosen and remove the pivot bolt from the
front mount of the rear leaf spring. Remove mount.
INSTALLATION
(1) Assemble front spring mount to front of spring
eye and install pivot bolt and nut.Do not tighten
at this time.
CAUTION: Pivot bolt must face inboard to prevent
structural damage during installation of spring.
(2) Raise front of spring and install four mounting
bolts (Fig. 31). Tighten bolts to 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.)
torque.
(3) Install rear of spring onto rear spring shackle
(Fig. 35). Install shackle plate and nuts.Do not
tighten at this time.
(4) Verify lower leaf spring isolator is in position.
(5) Raise axle into correct position on leaf spring
with axle centered under spring locator post (Fig.
36).
(6) Verify that the leaf spring isolator is correctly
positioned in the spring plate.
(7) Install spring plate in position on the spring
(Fig. 33).
(8) Install spring plate bolts (Fig. 33). Tighten
bolts to 95 N´m (70 ft. lbs.) torque.
(9) Install lower shock absorber bolt.Do not
tighten at this time.
(10) Remove jack under axle.(11) Lower the vehicle and remove hoist arms and
block of wood from under vehicle.
(12) Tighten the spring front pivot bolt to 156 N´m
(115 ft. lbs.) torque.
(13) Tighten rear spring shackle pin nuts to 61
N´m (45 ft. lbs.) torque.
(14) Tighten the lower shock absorber mounting
bolt to 102 N´m (75 ft. lbs.) torque.SPRING MOUNTS - FRONT
REMOVAL
(1) Raise vehicle on frame-contact hoist as follows:
(a) Position the hoist arm supporting the corner
of the vehicle to be serviced against a block of wood
placed on the body sill as shown (Fig. 37).
(b) Position the remaining hoist arms at each
corner of the vehicle in the normal fashion. (Refer
to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING
- STANDARD PROCEDURE)
(c) Raise the vehicle to a comfortable working
level.
(2) Position an under-hoist utility jack or transmis-
sion jack under rear axle toward the side needing
bushing replacement. Jack pad should just contact
axle.
(3) Remove shock absorber lower mounting bolt.
NOTE: If shock absorber bolt deflects upward dur-
ing removal, raise axle by adjusting support jack. If
shock absorber bolt deflects downward during
removal, lower axle by adjusting support jack (or by
pulling on axle).
Fig. 35 Rear Spring Hanger/Shackle
1 - SHACKLE PLATE
2 - SPRING HANGER
Fig. 36 Leaf Spring Locator Post
1 - LEAF SPRING ISOLATOR
2 - LEAF SPRING
3 - LOCATOR POST
2 - 42 REAR SUSPENSIONRS
SPRING - FWD (Continued)

(4) Remove four bolts securing leaf spring front
mounting bracket to the body (Fig. 37).
(5) Using jack,slowlylower rear axle, permitting
the forward end of rear spring to hang down. Lower
it enough to allow access to spring pivot bolt. It may
be necessary to place a wooden block between the
spring and vehicle to hold forward end of the spring
in place.
(6) Remove leaf spring forward pivot bolt, then
remove mounting bracket.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position spring mounting bracket over spring
eye and install pivot bolt through center of bushing
from theoutboardside.
NOTE: The pivot bolt must be installed from the
outboard side to allow proper bracket to body
mounting.
(2) Install the nut on the pivot bolt and lightly
tighten. Do not fully tighten bolt at this time.
(3) Raise the under-hoist utility jack or transmis-
sion jack, guiding the forward mounting bracket into
place against the body. It may help to use a drift
punch placed through the hole centered between the
mounting bolt holes in the bracket and the pilot hole
in the body of the vehicle as a guide. When the four
mounting bolt holes line up with their threads in the
body, Install the mounting bolts (Fig. 37). Tighten the
four mounting bolts to 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.) torque.(4) Raise or lower the jack until shock absorber
lower eye aligns with threads in axle housing. Install
shock absorber lower mounting bolt. Do not fully
tighten bolt at this time.
(5) Lower the vehicle and remove hoist arms and
block of wood from under vehicle.
(6) Tighten the spring front pivot bolt to 156 N´m
(115 ft. lbs.) torque.
(7) Tighten the lower shock absorber mounting
bolt to 88 N´m (65 ft. lbs.) torque.
SPRING MOUNTS - REAR
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the pin nuts securing the leaf spring
rear shackle halves (Fig. 38) (Fig. 39).
(2) Install a jack under the side of the axle having
the leaf spring mount removed. Using the jack, sup-
port the weight of the axle and leaf spring.
(3) Remove the lower mounting bolt from the
shock absorber.
(4) Remove the bolts attaching the leaf spring rear
mount to the body of the vehicle (Fig. 40).
(5) Lower the jack and the rear of the leaf spring.
(6) AWD only ± Remove the retaining bolts fasten-
ing inner to outer halves of the leaf spring shackle
(Fig. 39).
(7) Remove the shackle from the leaf spring bush-
ing and the spring rear mount.
INSTALLATION
(1) With the rear of the spring in the lowered posi-
tion, install the spring shackle halves through the
leaf spring bushings and rear mount (Fig. 39).
Fig. 37 LIFTING POINT AND SPRING MOUNT
1 - BODY SILL AREA
2 - MOUNTING BOLTS
3 - SPRING MOUNTING BRACKET
4 - LEAF SPRING
5 - HOIST LIFT ARM
6 - WOODEN BLOCK
Fig. 38 Leaf Spring Shackle Nuts (FWD)
1 - SHACKLE PLATE
RSREAR SUSPENSION2-43
SPRING MOUNTS - FRONT (Continued)

(2) Install the shackle mounting nuts on the
hanger pins, but DO NOT TIGHTEN AT THIS
TIME.
(3) AWD only ± Install, BUT DO NOT TIGHTEN,
retaining bolts fastening inner to outer halves of leaf
spring hanger at this time (Fig. 39).
(4) Using a jack, raise the leaf spring into
mounted position.
(5) Install the rear spring mount-to-body bolts
(Fig. 40). Tighten rear spring mount bolts to 61 N´m
(45 ft. lbs.) torque.
(6) Install the lower mounting bolt fastening the
shock absorber to the axle. DO NOT TIGHTEN THE
BOLT AT THIS TIME.
(7) Remove the jack from under axle.(8) Lower the vehicle so that the full weight of the
vehicle is on all four tires (curb height).
CAUTION: AWD only ± In order to avoid bending the
spring shackles, the shackle pin nuts must be tight-
ened to the specified torque before the inboard-to-
outboard shackle half bolts can be tightened.
(9) Tighten shackle mounting nuts to 61 N´m (45
ft. lbs.) torque.
(10) If equipped with AWD, tighten shackle-to-
shackle mounting bolts to 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.) torque.
(11) Tighten shock absorber lower mounting bolt to
88 N´m (65 ft. lbs.) torque.
SPRING SHACKLE
REMOVAL
(Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/REAR/SPRING
MOUNTS - REMOVAL)
INSTALLATION
(Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/REAR/SPRING
MOUNTS - INSTALLATION)
STABILIZER BAR
DESCRIPTION
Some front-wheel-drive models use a stabilizer bar.
It is mounted behind the rear axle. All-wheel-drive
models use a stabilizer bar that is mounted in front
of the rear axle.
The stabilizer bar interconnects both sides of the
rear axle and attaches to the rear frame rails using 2
rubber isolated link arms.
Both type stabilizer bars have the same basic com-
ponents. Attachment to the rear axle tube, and rear
frame rails is through rubber-isolated bushings.
The 2 rubber isolated links are connected to the
rear frame rails by brackets. These brackets are
bolted to the bottom of the frame rails.
OPERATION
Jounce and rebound movements affecting one
wheel are partially transmitted to the opposite wheel
to reduce body roll.
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - AWD
(1) Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)
Fig. 39 All-Wheel-Drive Rear Suspension
1 - SHACKLE
2 - REAR MOUNT (HANGER)
3 - LEAF SPRING (MULTI-LEAF)
4 - AWD REAR AXLE
Fig. 40 Rear Spring Mount (Typical)
1 - LEAF SPRING MOUNT
2 - 44 REAR SUSPENSIONRS
SPRING MOUNTS - REAR (Continued)

(2) Remove the bolts securing the stabilizer bar to
links on each end of the bar.
(3) While holding the stabilizer bar in place,
remove the bolts that attach the stabilizer bar bush-
ing retainers to the rear axle.
(4) Remove the stabilizer bar from the vehicle.
(5) If the links need to be serviced, remove the
upper link arm to bracket bolt. Then remove link
arm from frame rail attaching bracket.
REMOVAL - FWD
(1) Raise vehicle. See Hoisting in Lubrication and
Maintenance.
(2) Remove the bolts securing the stabilizer bar to
links on each side of bar.
(3) While holding the stabilizer bar in place,
remove the bolts that attach the stabilizer bar bush-
ing retainers to the rear axle.
(4) Remove the stabilizer bar from the vehicle.
REMOVAL - FWD - FOLD-IN-FLOOR SEATING
(1) Raise and support vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICA-
TION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD
PROCEDURE)
(2) At each end of the stabilizer bar, remove the
nuts and bolts securing the bar to the links (Fig. 41).
(3) While holding the stabilizer bar in place,
remove the bolts that attach the stabilizer bar bush-
ing retainers to the rear axle (Fig. 41).
(4) Remove the stabilizer bar from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - AWD
(1) Install the stabilizer bar on the rear axle.
(2) Install bushing retainer bolts. Do not tighten at
this time.
(3) Install bolts connecting links to stabilizer bar.
Do not tighten at this time.
(4) Lower the vehicle so that the full weight of the
vehicle is on all four tires. With the vehicle at its
curb height, tighten the following bolts to the torques
listed:
²Stabilizer bar bushing retainer-to-axle bracket
bolts Ð 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.)
²Stabilizer bar-to-link bolts Ð 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.)
INSTALLATION - FWD
(1) Lift the stabilizer bar onto the rear axle and
install the two retainer mounting bolts. DO NOT
TIGHTEN.
(2) Install the bolts attaching the stabilizer bar
links to the stabilizer bar. DO NOT TIGHTEN.
(3) Lower the vehicle so that the full weight of the
vehicle is on all four tires. With the vehicle at its
curb height, tighten the following bolts to the torques
listed:
²Stabilizer bar bushing retainer-to-axle bracket
bolts Ð 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.)
²Stabilizer bar-to-link Ð 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.)
INSTALLATION - FWD - FOLD-IN-FLOOR
SEATING
(1) Lift the stabilizer bar onto the rear axle, hook-
ing the bottom of the bushing retainers on the axle,
then install the two retainer mounting bolts (Fig. 41).
DO NOT TIGHTEN AT THIS TIME.
(2) Install the bolts and nuts attaching the stabi-
lizer bar links to the stabilizer bar (Fig. 41). DO NOT
TIGHTEN AT THIS TIME.
(3) Lower the vehicle so that the full weight of the
vehicle is on all four tires. With the vehicle at its
curb height, tighten the following bolts to the torques
listed:
²Stabilizer bar bushing retainer-to-axle bracket
bolts Ð 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.)
²Stabilizer bar-to-link Ð 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.)
TRACK BAR
DESCRIPTION
On front-wheel-drive applications of this vehicle
that are equipped with single leaf rear springs, a
track bar is used on the rear axle (Fig. 1).
The track bar connects the rear axle to the frame/
body of the vehicle. The track bar is isolated from the
Fig. 41 Stabilizer Bar With Fold-In-Floor Seating
1 - LINK NUT
2 - LINK BOLT AND NUT
3 - STABILIZER LINK
4 - STABILIZER BAR
5 - REAR AXLE
6 - BOLTS
RSREAR SUSPENSION2-45
STABILIZER BAR (Continued)

body of the vehicle by an isolator bushing located in
each end of the track bar.
OPERATION
The track bar prevents excessive side-to-side move-
ment of the rear axle. The track bar is used to keep
the location of the axle in the correct position for
optimum handling and control of the vehicle.
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the nut and bolt mounting the track
bar to the rear axle (Fig. 42).(2) Remove the nut and bolt attaching the track
bar to the track bracket on the body of the vehicle
(Fig. 42). Remove the track bar.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the track bar first into the body bracket
for the track bar (Fig. 42). Install the track bar
mounting bolt in the direction shown, then install
the nut.Do not tighten at this time.
(2) Install the track bar into its mounting bracket
on the rear axle (Fig. 42). Install the track bar
mounting bolt in the direction shown, then install
the nut.Do not tighten at this time.
(3) Lower the vehicle to the ground until the full
weight of the vehicle is supported by the wheels.
Tighten both track bar mounting bolts to 95 N´m (70
ft. lbs.) torque.
Fig. 42 Track Bar Mounting
1 - MOUNTING BOLT
2 - NUT
3 - NUT
4 - MOUNTING BOLT
5 - TRACK BAR
6 - REAR AXLE
7 - FRAME MOUNTED BRACKET
2 - 46 REAR SUSPENSIONRS
TRACK BAR (Continued)

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
Front End Clunk Or Snap
On Turns1. Loose lug nuts 1. Verify wheel lug nut torque
2. Worn or broken C/V joint 2. Replace C/V joint
3. Worn or loose tie rod 3. Tighten or replace tie rod end
4. Worn or loose ball joint 4. Tighten or replace ball joint
5. Worn/loose control arm bushing 5. Replace control arm bushing
6. Loose stabilizer bar. 6. Tighten stabilizer bar to specified
torque
7. Loose strut mount to body
attachment7. Tighten strut attachment to specified
torque
8. Loose crossmember bolts 8. Tighten crossmember bolts to
specified torque
Front End Whine With
Vehicle Going Straight At A
Constant Speed1. Defective wheel bearing 1. Replace wheel bearing
2. Incorrect wheel alignment 2. Check and reset wheel alignment
3. Worn tires 3. Replace tires
4. Worn or defective transaxle gears or
bearings4. Replace transaxle gears or bearings
Front End Growl Or
Grinding With Vehicle
Going Straight At A
Constant Speed1. Engine mount grounding 1. Reposition engine as required
2. Worn or broken C/V joint 2. Replace C/V joint
Front End Whine When
Accelerating Or
Decelerating1. Worn or defective transaxle gears or
bearings1. Replace transaxle gears or bearings
Front End Clunk When
Accelerating Or
Decelerating1. Worn or broken engine mount 1. Replace engine mount
2. Worn or defective transaxle gears or
bearings2. Replace transaxle gears or bearings
3. Loose lug nuts 3. Verify wheel lug nut torque
4. Worn or broken C/V joint 4. Replace C/V joint
5. Worn or loose ball joint 5. Tighten or replace ball joint
6. Worn or loose control arm bushing 6. Replace control arm bushing
7. Loose crossmember bolts 7. Tighten crossmember bolts to
specified torque
8. Worn tie rod end 8. Replace tie rod end
Road Wander 1. Incorrect tire pressure 1. Inflate tires to recommended pressure
2. Incorrect front or rear wheel toe 2. Check and reset wheel toe
3. Worn wheel bearings 3. Replace wheel bearing
4. Worn control arm bushings 4. Replace control arm bushing
5. Excessive friction in steering gear 5. Replace steering gear
6. Excessive friction in steering shaft
coupling6. Replace steering coupler
7. Excessive friction in strut upper
bearing7. Replace strut bearing
RSWHEEL ALIGNMENT2-51
WHEEL ALIGNMENT (Continued)

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
required adjustment of camber and caster after the
vehicle is built or when servicing the suspension
components. Thus, when performing a wheel align-
ment, caster and camber are not normally considered
adjustable angles. Camber and caster should be
checked to ensure they meet vehicle specifications.
If front camber is found not to meet alignment
specifications, it can be adjusted using an available
camber adjustment bolt package. Before installing a
camber adjustment bolt package on a vehicle found
to be outside the specifications, inspect the suspen-
sion components for any signs of damage or bending.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to adjust the vehicles
wheel alignment by heating, bending or by perform-
ing any other modification to the vehicle's front
suspension components or body.
If camber readings are not within specifications,
use the following procedure to install the front cam-
ber adjustment bolt package and then adjust front
camber.
CAMBER ADJUSTMENT BOLT PACKAGE INSTALLATION
The camber adjustment bolt package contains 2
flange bolts, 2 cam bolts, 2 dog bone washers, and 4
nuts. This package services both sides of the vehicle.
Use the package to attach the strut clevis bracket to
the steering knuckle after the strut clevis brackethas been modified. To install and adjust the camber
adjustment bolt package, follow the procedure below.
(1) Raise the vehicle until its tires are not support-
ing the weight of the vehicle.
(2) Remove the front tire and wheel assemblies.
CAUTION: When removing the steering knuckle
from the strut clevis bracket, do not put a strain on
the brake flex hose. Also, do not let the weight of
the steering knuckle assembly be supported by the
brake flex hose when removed from the strut
assembly. If necessary use a wire hanger to sup-
port the steering knuckle assembly or if required
remove the brake flex hose from the caliper assem-
bly.
CAUTION: The knuckle to strut assembly attaching
bolt shanks are serrated and must not be turned
during removal. Remove the nuts while holding the
bolts stationary.
(3) Remove the top and bottom, strut clevis
bracket to steering knuckle attaching bolts (Fig.
7)and discard. Separate the steering knuckle from
the strut clevis bracket and position steering knuckle
so it is out of the way of the strut.
CAUTION: When slotting the bottom mounting hole
on the strut clevis bracket, do not enlarge the hole
beyond the indentations on the sides of the strut
clevis bracket (Fig. 8).
Fig. 7 Clevis Bracket To Steering Knuckle Attaching
Bolts
1 - STRUT CLEVIS BRACKET
2 - ATTACHING BOLTS
3 - TIE ROD END
4 - ROTOR
5 - STEERING KNUCKLE
RSWHEEL ALIGNMENT2-53
WHEEL ALIGNMENT (Continued)

INSTALLATION
(1) Slide inner CV joint seal boot retaining clamp,
onto the interconnecting shaft. Then, slide the
replacement inner CV joint sealing boot onto the
interconnecting shaft.Inner CV joint seal boot
MUST be positioned on interconnecting shaft
so the raised bead on the inside of the small
diameter end of the seal boot is in mating
groove on interconnecting shaft (Fig. 15).(2) Install spider assembly onto interconnecting
shaft (Fig. 16). Spider assembly must be installed on
interconnecting shaft far enough to fully install spi-
der retaining snap-ring. If the spider assembly will
not fully install on interconnecting shaft by hand, it
can be installed by tapping the spider body with a
brass drift (Fig. 17).Do not hit the outer tripod
bearings in an attempt to install spider assem-
bly on interconnecting shaft.
Fig. 14 Spider Assembly Removal from
Interconnecting Shaft
1 - SPIDER ASSEMBLY
2 - DO NOT HIT SPIDER ASSEMBLY BEARINGS WHEN
REMOVING SPIDER ASSEMBLY
3 - BRASS DRIFT
4 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
Fig. 15 Sealing Boot Installation on Interconnecting
Shaft
1 - SEALING BOOT
2 - RAISED BEAD IN THIS AREA OF SEALING BOOT
3 - GROOVE
4 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
Fig. 16 Spider Assembly Installation on
Interconnecting Shaft
1 - SPIDER ASSEMBLY
2 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
Fig. 17 Installing Spider Assembly on
Interconnecting Shaft
1 - DO NOT HIT BEARINGS WHEN INSTALLING THE SPIDER
ASSEMBLY
2 - SPIDER ASSEMBLY
3 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
4 - BRASS DRIFT
RSHALF SHAFT - FRONT3-7
CV BOOT - INNER (Continued)