2005 CHRYSLER CARAVAN service

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)

(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).
(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.
The coil spring controls ride quality and maintains
proper ride height.
The spring isolators isolate the coil spring at the
top and bottom from coming into metal-to-metal con-
tact with the upper seat and strut.
The jounce bumper limits suspension travel and
metal-to-metal contact under full jounce condition.
The strut dampens jounce and rebound motions of
the coil spring and suspension.
During steering maneuvers, the strut assembly
(through a pivot bearing in the upper strut mount)
and steering knuckle (through the lower ball joint)
turn as an assembly.
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)

(2) Remove the wheel and tire assembly from loca-
tion on front of vehicle requiring strut removal.
(3) If both strut assemblies are to be removed,
mark the strut assemblies right or left according to
which side of the vehicle they were removed from.
(4) Remove the hydraulic brake hose routing
bracket and the speed sensor cable routing bracket
from the strut damper brackets (Fig. 40).
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. 41).
(5) Remove the stabilizer bar link from the bracket
on the strut assembly (Fig. 41). 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 the stud out of the
bracket.
CAUTION: The steering knuckle to strut assembly
attaching bolts are serrated and must not be turned
during removal. Remove nuts while holding bolts
stationary in the steering knuckles.
(6) Remove the 2 strut assembly clevis bracket to
steering knuckle attaching bolts (Fig. 42).
(7) Remove the 3 nuts attaching the strut assem-
bly upper mount to the strut tower (Fig. 43) and
remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.
(8) To disassemble the strut assembly, (Refer to 2 -
SUSPENSION/FRONT/STRUT - DISASSEMBLY).
DISASSEMBLY - STRUT ASSEMBLY
The strut assembly must be removed from the
vehicle for it to be disassembled and assembled.
For the disassembly and assembly of the strut
assembly, use of Strut Spring Compressor, Pentastar
Service Equipment (PSE) tool W-7200, or the equiva-
lent, is recommended to compress the coil spring.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.
Fig. 40 Brake Hose And Speed Sensor Cable
Routing
1 - STRUT DAMPER
2 - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CABLE
3 - ROUTING BRACKET
4 - HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE
5 - ATTACHING BOLT
6 - ROUTING BRACKET
Fig. 41 Stabilizer Bar Link To Strut Attachment
1 - NUT
2 - STRUT
3 - STABILIZER BAR LINK
Fig. 42 Strut Damper Attachment To Steering
Knuckle
1 - STRUT CLEVIS BRACKET
2 - ATTACHING BOLTS
3 - TIE ROD END
4 - ROTOR
5 - STEERING KNUCKLE
RSFRONT SUSPENSION2-21
STRUT (Continued)

WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE STRUT SHAFT
NUT BEFORE THE COIL SPRING IS COMPRESSED.
THE COIL SPRING IS HELD UNDER PRESSURE
AND MUST BE COMPRESSED, REMOVING SPRING
TENSION FROM THE UPPER MOUNT AND PIVOT
BEARING, BEFORE THE SHAFT NUT IS REMOVED.
(1) Position the strut assembly in the strut coil
spring compressor following the manufacturers
instructions. Position the lower hooks on the coil
spring first. The strut clevis bracket should be posi-
tioned straight outward from the compressor.
(2) Turn the upper mount of the strut assembly
toward the inside of the compressor as shown to
allow positioning of the compressor upper hooks (Fig.
44). Position the upper hooks on top of the coil spring
upper seat approximately 1 inch from outside diame-
ter of seat (Fig. 47).Do not allow hooks to be
placed closer to edge.Place a clamp on the lower
end of the coil spring, so the strut is held in place
once the strut shaft nut is removed.
(3) Compress the coil spring until all coil spring
tension is removed from the upper mount.
(4) Install Strut Nut Socket, Special Tool 6864, on
the strut shaft retaining nut (Fig. 45). Next, install a
10 mm socket on the hex on the end of the strut
shaft. While holding the strut shaft from turning,
remove the nut from the strut shaft.
(5) Remove the upper mount from the strut shaft.
(6) If the pivot bearing needs to be serviced,
remove it from the top of the coil spring upper seat
by pulling it straight up.
(7) Remove the clamp from the bottom of the coil
spring and remove the strut out through the bottom
of the coil spring.NOTE: If the coil spring or upper spring seat needs
to be serviced, proceed with the next step, other-
wise, proceed with step 10.
(8) Release the tension from the coil spring by
backing off the compressor drive fully. Push back the
compressor upper hooks and remove the upper spring
seat with upper spring isolator.
(9) Remove the coil spring from the spring com-
pressor.
Fig. 43 Strut Assembly To Strut Tower Attaching
Nuts (Typical)
1 - WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE
2 - STRUT TOWER
3 - STRUT MOUNT ATTACHING BOLTS
4 - UPPER STRUT MOUNT
Fig. 44 Mount Rotated And Hooks Positioned
1 - UPPER MOUNT TURNED TOWARD COMPRESSOR
2 - COMPRESSOR UPPER HOOKS
3 - UPPER SPRING SEAT
Fig. 45 Retaining Nut Removal/Installation (Typical)
1 - UPPER MOUNT
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 6864
2 - 22 FRONT SUSPENSIONRS
STRUT (Continued)

(10) Remove the dust shield and jounce bumper as
an assembly from the strut shaft by pulling both
straight up and off the strut shaft. The dust shield
cannot be separated from the jounce bumper until
after it is removed from strut shaft.
(11) Remove the jounce bumper from the dust
shield. The jounce bumper is removed from the dust
shield by collapsing the dust shield until the jounce
bumper can be pulled free from the dust boot.
(12) Remove the spring isolator from the lower
spring seat on the strut (Fig. 38).
(13) Inspect the strut assembly components (Fig.
38) for the following and replace as necessary:
²Inspect the strut for any condition of shaft bind-
ing over the full stroke of the shaft.
²Check the upper mount for cracks and distortion
and its retaining studs for any sign of damage.
²Check the upper seat for stress cracks and wear.
²Check the upper spring isolator for severe dete-
rioration.
²Check for binding of the strut assembly pivot
bearing.
²Inspect the dust shield for rips and deteriora-
tion.
²Inspect the jounce bumper for cracks and signs
of deterioration.
ASSEMBLY - STRUT ASSEMBLY
For the disassembly and assembly of the strut
assembly, use of Strut Spring Compressor, Pentastar
Service Equipment (PSE) tool W-7200, or the equiva-
lent, is recommended to compress the coil spring.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.
NOTE: Coil Springs on this vehicle are side-ori-
ented. 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.
Left and right springs must not be interchanged.
NOTE: If the coil spring has been removed from the
spring compressor, proceed with the next step, oth-
erwise, proceed with step 5.
(1) Place the coil spring in the compressor lower
hooks following the manufacturers instructions.
Proper orientation of the spring to the strut (once
installed) is necessary. Consider the following when
placing the coil spring in the compressor: From
above, the compressor back is at the 12 o'clock posi-
tion, and you, standing in the front of the compres-
sor, are at the 6 o'clock position. Place the lower coil
spring end at the 12 o'clock position for left springs
and at the 6 o'clock position for right springs. (Fig.
46).(2) Install the upper seat and upper isolator on top
of the coil spring. Position the notch in the perimeter
of the upper seat toward the front of the compressor
(same 6 o'clock position as in step 1).
(3) Position the upper hooks on top of the coil
spring upper seat so the upper hooks span approxi-
mately 1 inch past outside diameter of upper seat
(Fig. 47). This will allow proper clearance for upper
mount installation without pinching the hooks in-be-
tween the two pieces.Do not allow hooks to be
placed closer to edge.
(4) Compress the coil spring far enough to allow
strut installation.
(5) If the pivot bearing has been removed from the
upper seat, install the pivot bearing on the top of the
Fig. 46 Spring Positioned In Compressor (Right
Spring Shown)
1 - COMPRESSOR LOWER HOOKS
2 - COIL SPRING END
Fig. 47 Hook Placement On Upper Seat
1 - HOOKS POSITIONED 1 INCH FROM EDGE
2 - PIVOT BEARING AND UPPER SEAT
RSFRONT SUSPENSION2-23
STRUT (Continued)

BUSHING - LEAF SPRING
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. 3).
(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).
(4) Remove four bolts securing leaf spring front
mounting bracket to the body (Fig. 3).
(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 maybe 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.
(7) Straighten the retainer tabs on the bushing
(Fig. 4).
(8) Place Remover/Installer, Special Tool 8459 on
leaf spring and bushing as shown (Fig. 5) and tighten
Set Screw securing Remover Plate to tool threaded
shaft.
Fig. 3 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. 4 Straightened Retaining Tabs
1 - SPRING EYE
2 - RETAINING TABS
Fig. 5 Tool 8459 Mounted For Bushing Removal
1 - BUSHING
2 - BEARING
3 - WASHER
4 - NUT
5 - BODY (8459-1)
6 - PIN
7 - REMOVER PLATE (8459-2)
8 - SET SCREW
RSREAR SUSPENSION2-29

(9) Tighten nut (Fig. 5), removing bushing from
spring eye.
(10) Remove the tool from spring, then remove
bushing from tool.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install by hand NEW bushing in left side of
leaf spring eye.
(2) Place Remover/Installer, Special Tool 8459 on
leaf spring and bushing as shown (Fig. 6) and tighten
Set Screw securing Installer Plate (8459±3) to tool
threaded shaft.
(3) Tighten nut (Fig. 6), installing bushing in
spring eye. Tighten nut until there is approximately
a 1 mm gap between the bushing flange and the
spring eye.Do not bottom the flange against the
spring eye.
(4) Remove Remover/Installer from the bushing
and leaf spring.
(5) Bend the retainer tabs on bushing outward
against spring eye.
(6) 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.(7) Install the nut on the pivot bolt and lightly
tighten. Do not fully tighten bolt at this time.
(8) 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. 3). Tighten the
four mounting bolts to 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.) torque.
(9) 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.
(10) Lower the vehicle and remove hoist arms and
block of wood from under vehicle.
(11) Tighten the spring front pivot bolt to 156 N´m
(115 ft. lbs.) torque.
(12) Tighten the lower shock absorber mounting
bolt to 88 N´m (65 ft. lbs.) torque.
HUB / BEARING
DESCRIPTION
The rear wheel bearing and rear wheel hub of this
vehicle are a one-piece sealed unit, or hub and bear-
ing unit type assembly (Unit III). The hub and bear-
ing is mounted to the center of the rear axle using 4
mounting bolts. It has five wheel mounting studs on
the hub flange.
All-Wheel-Drive vehicles have a hub and bearing
unit with a splined hole in the center of the hub for
rear driveshaft stub axle acceptance.
Front-Wheel-Drive vehicles with antilock brakes
have an internally mounted wheel speed sensor and
tone wheel. This hub and bearing can be identified
by the rounded cap and molded in connector on the
rear of the assembly (Fig. 7). The sensor and tone
wheel cannot be serviced separately from the hub
and bearing.
OPERATION
The hub and bearing has internal bearings that
allow the hub to rotate with the tire and wheel
assembly (and driveshaft on All-Wheel-Drive vehi-
cles). The five wheel mounting studs mount the tire
and wheel assembly, and disc brake rotor or brake
drum to the vehicle.
On All-Wheel-Drive vehicles, the splined mating of
the driveshaft stub axle and hub allows the drive-
shaft to rotate with the hub and wheel.
Front-Wheel-Drive vehicles equipped with antilock
brakes have a wheel speed sensor and tone wheel
mounted to the rear of the hub and bearing. The tone
Fig. 6 Tool 8459 Mounted For Bushing Installation
1 - NUT
2 - WASHER
3 - BEARING
4 - LEAF SPRING EYE
5 - BUSHING
6 - INSTALLER PLATE (8459-3)
7 - PIN
8 - BODY (8459-1)
2 - 30 REAR SUSPENSIONRS
BUSHING - LEAF SPRING FRONT (Continued)

(6) Install the shock absorber on the vehicle. Refer
to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION in this section
for the procedure.
INSTALLATION - SHOCK ABSORBER
(1) While holding shock absorber in position
against the frame rail, install the shock absorber
upper mounting bolt.
(2) Install the shock absorber lower mounting bolt
securing the lower end of the shock absorber to the
axle.
(3) Remove the support jack.
(4) Lower the vehicle to the ground so the full curb
weight of the vehicle is supported by the suspension.
(5) Tighten the upper and lower shock absorber
mounting bolt to a torque of 88 N´m (65 ft. lbs.).
SPRING - AWD
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. 26).
(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
spring replacement. Jack pad should just contact
axle.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).
(3) Begin removal of the shock absorber lower
mounting bolt (Fig. 27).
(4) Using 2 jack stands positioned under the outer
ends of the axle, raise the axle enough to remove the
weight of the axle from the rear springs.
Fig. 25 Installing Bushing In Shock Absorber
1 - BUSHING
2 - SCREW DRIVE
3 - SHOCK ABSORBER
4 - NOTCH
Fig. 26 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. 27 Rear Shock Absorber Mounting Bolt
1 - SHOCK BOLT
2 - 38 REAR SUSPENSIONRS
SHOCK ABSORBER (Continued)