torque DODGE TOWN AND COUNTRY 2004 Service Manual

INTRODUCTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
BODY CODE PLATE
DESCRIPTION..........................1
FASTENER IDENTIFICATION
DESCRIPTION..........................2
FASTENER USAGE
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION - FASTENER USAGE........5
DESCRIPTION - THREADED HOLE REPAIR . . 5
INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS
DESCRIPTION..........................5
METRIC SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION..........................6TORQUE REFERENCES
DESCRIPTION..........................8
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
DESCRIPTION..........................9
VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL
DESCRIPTION.........................11
E-MARK LABEL
DESCRIPTION.........................11
VECI LABEL
DESCRIPTION.........................11
MANUFACTURER PLATE
DESCRIPTION.........................11
BODY CODE PLATE
DESCRIPTION
The Body Code Plate (Fig. 1) is located in the
engine compartment on the radiator closure panel
crossmember. There are seven lines of information on
the body code plate. Lines 4, 5, 6, and 7 are not used
to define service information. Information reads from
left to right, starting with line 3 in the center of the
plate to line 1 at the bottom of the plate.
BODY CODE PLATE ± LINE 3
DIGITS 1 THROUGH 12
Vehicle Order Number
DIGITS 13 THROUGH 17
Open Space
DIGITS 18 AND 19
Vehicle Shell Line
²RS
DIGIT 20
Carline
FWD
²K = Dodge
²Y = Chrysler
AW D
²C = Chrysler
²D = Dodge
Fig. 1 BODY CODE PLATE
1 - PRIMARY PAINT
2 - SECONDARY PAINT
3 - VINYL ROOF
4 - VEHICLE ORDER NUMBER
5 - CAR LINE SHELL
6 - PAINT PROCEDURE
7 - ENGINE
8 - TRIM
9 - TRANSMISSION
10 - MARKET
11 - VIN
RSINTRODUCTION1

FASTENER USAGE
DESCRIPTION
DESCRIPTION - FASTENER USAGE
WARNING: USE OF AN INCORRECT FASTENER
MAY RESULT IN COMPONENT DAMAGE OR PER-
SONAL INJURY.
Fasteners and torque specifications references in
this Service Manual are identified in metric and SAE
format.
During any maintenance or repair procedures, it is
important to salvage all fasteners (nuts, bolts, etc.)
for reassembly. If the fastener is not salvageable, a
fastener of equivalent specification must be used.
DESCRIPTION - THREADED HOLE REPAIR
Most stripped threaded holes can be repaired using
a Helicoilt. Follow the vehicle or Helicoiltrecommen-
dations for application and repair procedures.
INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS
DESCRIPTION
The graphic symbols illustrated in the following
International Control and Display Symbols Chart
(Fig. 4) are used to identify various instrument con-
trols. The symbols correspond to the controls and dis-
plays that are located on the instrument panel.
Fig. 4 INTERNATIONAL CONTROL AND DISPLAY SYMBOLS
1 High Beam 13 Rear Window Washer
2 Fog Lamps 14 Fuel
3 Headlamp, Parking Lamps, Panel Lamps 15 Engine Coolant Temperature
4 Turn Warning 16 Battery Charging Condition
5 Hazard Warning 17 Engine Oil
6 Windshield Washer 18 Seat Belt
7 Windshield Wiper 19 Brake Failure
8 Windshield Wiper and Washer 20 Parking Brake
9 Windscreen Demisting and Defrosting 21 Front Hood
10 Ventilating Fan 22 Rear hood (Decklid)
11 Rear Window Defogger 23 Horn
12 Rear Window Wiper 24 Lighter
RSINTRODUCTION5

METRIC SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
The metric system is based on quantities of one,
ten, one hundred, one thousand and one million.The following chart will assist in converting metric
units to equivalent English and SAE units, or vise
versa.
CONVERSION FORMULAS AND EQUIVALENT VALUES
MULTIPLY BY TO GET MULTIPLY BY TO GET
in-lbs x
0.11298= Newton Meters
(N´m)N´m x 8.851 = in-lbs
ft-lbs x
1.3558= Newton Meters
(N´m)N´m x
0.7376= ft-lbs
Inches Hg (60É F) x 3.377 = Kilopascals (kPa) kPa x
0.2961= Inches Hg
psi x 6.895 = Kilopascals (kPa) kPa x 0.145 = psi
Inches x 25.4 = Millimeters (mm) mm x
0.03937= Inches
Feet x
0.3048= Meters (M) M x 3.281 = Feet
Yards x
0.9144= Meters M x
1.0936= Yards
mph x
1.6093= Kilometers/Hr.
(Km/h)Km/h x
0.6214= mph
Feet/Sec x
0.3048= Meters/Sec (M/S) M/S x 3.281 = Feet/Sec
mph x
0.4470= Meters/Sec (M/S) M/S x 2.237 = mph
Kilometers/Hr. (Km/h) x
0.27778= Meters/Sec (M/S) M/S x 3.600 Kilometers/Hr. (Km/h)
COMMON METRIC EQUIVALENTS
1 inch = 25 Millimeters 1 Cubic Inch = 16 Cubic Centimeters
1 Foot = 0.3 Meter 1 Cubic Foot = 0.03 Cubic Meter
1 Yard = 0.9 Meter 1 Cubic Yard = 0.8 Cubic Meter
1 Mile = 1.6 Kilometers
Refer to the Metric Conversion Chart to convert
torque values listed in metric Newton- meters (N´m).
Also, use the chart to convert between millimeters
(mm) and inches (in.) (Fig. 5).
6 INTRODUCTIONRS

TORQUE REFERENCES
DESCRIPTION
Individual Torque Charts appear within many or
the Groups. Refer to the Standard Torque Specifica-tions Chart for torque references not listed in the
individual torque charts (Fig. 6).
Fig. 6 TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
8 INTRODUCTIONRS

SUSPENSION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
FRONT SUSPENSION.....................1
REAR SUSPENSION......................26WHEEL ALIGNMENT.....................47
FRONT SUSPENSION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
FRONT SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION - FRONT SUSPENSION.......2
OPERATION - FRONT SUSPENSION.........2
STANDARD PROCEDURE - LUBRICATION....2
SPECIFICATIONS
FRONT SUSPENSION FASTENER TORQUE . . 3
SPECIAL TOOLS
FRONT SUSPENSION...................3
BUSHINGS
REMOVAL - STABILIZER BAR CUSHION......4
INSTALLATION - STABILIZER BAR CUSHION . . . 4
HUB / BEARING
DESCRIPTION..........................4
OPERATION............................4
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HUB AND
BEARING............................5
REMOVAL.............................5
INSTALLATION..........................6
KNUCKLE
DESCRIPTION..........................6
OPERATION............................7
REMOVAL - STEERING KNUCKLE...........7
INSPECTION - STEERING KNUCKLE.........9
INSTALLATION - STEERING KNUCKLE.......9
LOWER BALL JOINT
DESCRIPTION.........................10
OPERATION...........................10
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - LOWER BALL
JOINT..............................10
LOWER BALL JOINT SEAL BOOT
DESCRIPTION - EXPORT.................10
REMOVAL
REMOVAL...........................11
REMOVAL - EXPORT...................11INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION.......................11
INSTALLATION - EXPORT...............11
LOWER CONTROL ARM
DESCRIPTION.........................12
OPERATION...........................12
REMOVAL - LOWER CONTROL ARM........12
DISASSEMBLY
DISASSEMBLY - LOWER CONTROL ARM
(REAR BUSHING - STANDARD)..........13
DISASSEMBLY - LOWER CONTROL ARM
(REAR BUSHING - HYDRO).............14
INSPECTION - LOWER CONTROL ARM......14
ASSEMBLY
ASSEMBLY - LOWER CONTROL ARM
(REAR BUSHING - STANDARD)..........14
ASSEMBLY - LOWER CONTROL ARM
(REAR BUSHING - HYDRO).............14
INSTALLATION - LOWER CONTROL ARM....16
STABILIZER BAR
DESCRIPTION.........................16
OPERATION...........................17
REMOVAL.............................17
INSPECTION..........................18
INSTALLATION.........................18
STRUT
DESCRIPTION - STRUT ASSEMBLY.........19
OPERATION - STRUT ASSEMBLY..........20
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STRUT
ASSEMBLY..........................20
REMOVAL - STRUT ASSEMBLY............21
DISASSEMBLY - STRUT ASSEMBLY........21
ASSEMBLY - STRUT ASSEMBLY...........23
INSTALLATION - STRUT ASSEMBLY........25
RSSUSPENSION2-1

SPECIFICATIONS
FRONT SUSPENSION FASTENER TORQUE
DESCRIPTION N´mFt.
Lbs.In.
Lbs.
Ball Joint Nut 108 80 Ð
Cradle Crossmember
Mounting Bolts163 120 Ð
Cradle Crossmember
Reinforcement Bolts - Size
M-14153 113 Ð
Cradle Crossmember
Reinforcement Bolt - Size
M-12106 78 Ð
Cradle Crossmember
Reinforcement Bolts - Size
M-1061 45 Ð
Disc Brake Adapter Mounting
Bolts169 125 Ð
Hub And Bearing Mounting
Bolts65 45 Ð
Hub And Bearing Axle Hub
Nut244 180 Ð
Lower Control Arm Pivot Bolt 183 135 Ð
Stabilizer Bar Bushing
Retainer Bolts68 50 Ð
Stabilizer Bar Link Nuts 88 65 Ð
Strut Body/Tower Mounting
Nuts28 21 250
Strut Clevis-to-Knuckle Nuts 81 +
90É
turn60 +
90É
turnÐ
Strut Shaft Nut 100 75 Ð
Tie Rod Adjuster Jam Nut 75 55 Ð
Tie Rod Steering Arm Nut 75 55 Ð
Wheel Mounting (Lug) Nuts 135 100 Ð
SPECIAL TOOLS
FRONT SUSPENSION
Puller C-3894A
Press, Ball Joint C-4212F
Installer, Ball Joint 6758
Wrench, Strut Rod Nut 6864
REMOVER/INSTALLER, BUSHING 8460
REMOVER/INSTALLER, BALL JOINT 8490
RSFRONT SUSPENSION2-3
FRONT SUSPENSION (Continued)

BUSHINGS
REMOVAL - STABILIZER BAR CUSHION
(1) Raise Vehicle. Refer to Hoisting in Lubrication
and Maintenance.
(2) Remove the 2 bolts fastening the emission leak
detection pump to the cradle crossmember reinforce-
ment.
(3) Move the leak detection pump to the side
allowing access to the stabilizer bar cushion retain-
ers.
(4) Remove the nut and bolt securing each stabi-
lizer bar cushion retainer to the cradle crossmember
(Fig. 2) and remove the retainers.
(5) Remove each stabilizer bar cushion from the
stabilizer bar by opening the slit in the cushion and
peeling it off the stabilizer bar.
INSTALLATION - STABILIZER BAR CUSHION
(1) Install each new cushion on stabilizer bar by
spreading cushion at slit and forcing it onto stabilizer
bar.
NOTE: Cushions must be installed on stabilizer bar
so the square corner of the bushing will be down
and slit in cushion will be facing the rear of the
vehicle when the stabilizer bar is installed (Fig. 3).
(2) Place stabilizer bar into mounted position with
cushions properly aligned.
(3) Hook each retainer into cradle crossmember
mounting hole and over cushion.(4) Install each mounting bolt from rear of cradle
crossmember through retainer. Install the two nuts
and tighten to 68 N´m (50 ft. lbs.) torque.
(5) Reattach emission leak detection pump to cra-
dle crossmember reinforcement with two mounting
bolts.
(6) Lower the vehicle.
HUB / BEARING
DESCRIPTION
The front wheel bearing and front wheel hub of
this vehicle are a hub and bearing unit type assem-
bly (Unit III). This unit combines the front wheel
mounting hub (flange) and the front wheel bearing
into a sealed one-piece unit. The hub and bearing is
mounted to the center of the steering knuckle (Fig.
1). It is retained by four mounting bolts accessible
from the inboard side of the steering knuckle. The
hub flange has five wheel mounting studs.
The wheel mounting studs used to mount the tire
and wheel to the vehicle are the only replaceable
components of the hub and bearing assembly. Other-
wise, the hub and bearing is serviced only as a com-
plete assembly.
OPERATION
The hub and bearing has internal bearings that
allow the hub to rotate with the driveshaft, along
with the tire and wheel. The five wheel mounting
studs mount the tire and wheel, and brake rotor to
the vehicle.
Fig. 2 Front Stabilizer Bar Cushion Retainers
1 - STEERING GEAR
2 - STABILIZER BAR
3 - RAISED BEAD
4 - FRONT CRADLE CROSSMEMBER
5 - RETAINERS
Fig. 3 Correctly Installed Stabilizer Bar Cushion
1 - SLIT IN SWAY BAR BUSHING.
2 - SQUARE CORNER
3-SWAYBAR
4 - SWAY BAR ISOLATOR BUSHING
2 - 4 FRONT SUSPENSIONRS

(8) Remove the four hub and bearing mounting
bolts from the rear of steering knuckle (Fig. 6).Use
care not to come in contact with and damage
the ABS tone wheel on the driveshaft stub shaft
upon bolt removal.
(9) Remove the hub and bearing assembly from
the steering knuckle.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Hub and bearing assembly mounting
surfaces on the steering knuckle and stub axle (Fig.
7) must be smooth and completely free of foreign
material or nicks prior to installing hub and bearing
assembly.
CAUTION: When installing hub and bearing into
steering knuckle, be careful not to damage the
bearing seal (Fig. 7) on the outer C/V joint.
(1) Install hub and bearing onto stub axle and into
steering knuckle until squarely seated on the face of
the steering knuckle.
(2) Install the 4 hub and bearing mounting bolts
from the rear of the knuckle. Equally tighten all 4
mounting bolts in a criss-cross pattern until hub/
bearing assembly is squarely seated against front of
steering knuckle. Tighten mounting bolts to a torque
of 65 N´m (45 ft. lbs.)
(3) Install the brake rotor on the hub and bearing
(Fig. 5).
(4) Install brake caliper and adapter assembly
back over brake rotor and align with mounting holeson steering knuckle (Fig. 5). Install the mounting
bolts and tighten to 169 N´m (125 ft. lbs.) torque.
(5) Install the hub nut on the end of the stub axle
(Fig. 4). With aid of a helper applying the brakes to
keep the front hub from turning, tighten the hub nut
to Install the mounting bolts and tighten to 244 N´m
(180 ft. lbs.) torque.
(6) 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.).
(7) Lower vehicle to the ground.
(8) Check the front wheel alignment toe setting
and reset if not within specifications. (Refer to 2 -
SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE)
KNUCKLE
DESCRIPTION
The steering knuckle is a singlealuminumcast-
ing with legs machined for attachment of the strut
assembly, steering linkage, disc brake caliper
adapter, lower control arm ball joint and steering
linkage (Fig. 1). The hub and bearing assembly is
mounted in the center of the steering knuckle using
4 bolts. The driveshaft's constant velocity (C/V) stub
axle is splined through the center of the hub and
bearing and is held in place using a nut, nut lock and
cotter pin.
Fig. 6 Hub And Bearing Mounting Bolts
1 - HUB
2 - STEERING KNUCKLE
3 - MOUNTING BOLTS (4)
4 - DRIVESHAFT
Fig. 7 Mounting Surfaces (Typical)
1 - BEARING SEAL
2 - STUB AXLE
3 - THESE SURFACES MUST BE CLEAN AND FREE OF NICKS
BEFORE INSTALLING BEARING ASSEMBLY
4 - STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - 6 FRONT SUSPENSIONRS
HUB / BEARING (Continued)

INSPECTION - STEERING KNUCKLE
Inspect the knuckle for the following:
²Cracks or breaks
²Dents or damage
²Stress marks indicating a bend
The front suspension knuckle is not a repairable
component of the vehicles front suspension. If bent,
broken or damaged in any way, do not attempt to
straighten or repair the steering knuckle. It must be
replaced.
If inspection leads to the hub and bearing, (Refer
to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/HUB / BEARING -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)
INSTALLATION - STEERING KNUCKLE
(1) If the hub and bearing needs to be installed in
the knuckle, place the hub and bearing squarely into
the center hole of the steering knuckle aligning the
threaded mounting holes of the hub and bearing with
the mounting holes in the steering knuckle. Install
the four mounting bolts and tighten them to a torque
of 65 N´m (45 ft. lbs.).
CAUTION: Before installing the knuckle on the ball
joint stud, wipe the ball joint stud and knuckle con-
tact area free of any grease or debris, otherwisedamage to the knuckle can occur. Use a clean shop
cloth with MoparTBrake Parts Cleaner applied to it
for proper cleaning. Do not spray the stud directly.
(2) Place the knuckle on the ball joint stud.
(3) Install a NEW steering knuckle to ball joint
stud nut. Tighten the nut by holding ball joint stud
with hex wrench while turning nut with a wrench
(Fig. 15). Using a crowsfoot wrench on a torque
wrench, tighten the nut to a torque of 108 N´m (80 ft.
lbs.).
(4) Slide driveshaft stub axle into hub and bearing
assembly.
CAUTION: The steering knuckle to strut assembly
attaching bolts are serrated and must not be turned
during installation. Install nuts while holding bolts
stationary in the steering knuckle.
CAUTION: If the vehicle being serviced is equipped
with eccentric strut assembly attaching bolts, the
eccentric bolt must be installed in the bottom (slot-
ted) hole on the strut clevis bracket (Fig. 16).
NOTE: The strut clevis-to-steering knuckle bolts are
installed differently on each side. Left hand side
bolts are to be installed from vehicle rear to front.
Right side bolts are to be installed from vehicle
front to rear.
(5) Install steering knuckle in clevis bracket of
strut damper assembly. Install the strut clevis-to-
steering knuckle attaching bolts. Tighten both bolts
to a torque of 81 N´m (60 ft. lbs.) plus an additional
1/4 (90É) turn.
Fig. 14 Using C-4150A To Release Ball Joint
1 - ALUMINUM KNUCKLE
2 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4150A
3 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
4 - NUT INSTALLED ON BALL JOINT STEMFig. 15 Ball Joint Nut Installation
1 - KNUCKLE
2 - BALL JOINT STUD
3 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
RSFRONT SUSPENSION2-9
KNUCKLE (Continued)

(6) Install tie rod end into knuckle steering arm.
Start nut onto stud of tie rod end. While holding stud
of tie rod end stationary using a socket (Fig. 11),
tighten tie rod end to steering knuckle attaching nut.
Tighten the tie rod end nut to a torque of 75 N´m (55
ft. lbs.).
(7) If equipped with antilock brakes, install wheel
speed sensor and mounting bolt on steering knuckle
(Fig. 13). Tighten the speed sensor bolt to a torque of
7 N´m (60 in. lbs.).
(8) Install brake rotor on hub and bearing (Fig. 9).
(9) Install disc brake caliper and adapter assembly
on steering knuckle. Install adapter amounting bolts
and tighten to 169 N´m (125 ft. lbs.).
(10) Clean any debris from the threads of the
outer C/V joint stub axle.
(11) Install the washer and hub nut on stub axle.
(12) Have a helper apply the vehicle's brakes to
keep hub from turning, then tighten hub nut to a
torque of 244 N´m (180 ft. lbs.).
(13) Install the spring wave washer on the end of
the stub axle.
(14) Install the hub nut lock, and anewcotter pin
(Fig. 8). Wrap cotter pin prongs tightly around the
hub nut lock.
(15) Install wheel and tire assembly. Install and
tighten the wheel mounting nuts in proper sequence
until all nuts are torqued to half the required speci-
fication. Then repeat the tightening sequence to the
full specified torque of 135 N´m (100 ft. lbs.).
(16) Lower vehicle.
(17) Set front wheel alignment camber and toe as
necessary. (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL
ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE)
LOWER BALL JOINT
DESCRIPTION
The ball joint is an integral part of the lower con-
trol arm (Fig. 1). The ball joint has a tapered stud
that is pressed into the aluminum knuckle. The ball
joint stud is threaded on the end for a retainer nut.
The ball joint has a non-vented seal boot. The seal
boot has an integrated heat shield.
The ball joint used in the lower control arm of this
vehicle is a sealed-for-life ball joint and requires no
maintenance lubrication. The ball joint has been
lubricated-for-life during the manufacturing process.
A special fitting cap is installed on the fill port. This
cap must not be removed and replaced with a com-
mon zirc fitting. The special cap is there to eliminate
the possibility of lubrication latter during the ball
joints life, thus damaging the non-vented seal boot.
NOTE: The ball joint does not require any type of
additional lubrication for the life of the vehicle. No
attempt should be made to ever add any lubrication
to the lower ball joint.
OPERATION
The ball joint is a pivotal joint on the lower control
arm that allows the knuckle to move up and down,
and turn with ease.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - LOWER BALL
JOINT
With the weight of the vehicle resting on the road
wheels, grasp the special fitting cap on the bottom of
the ball joint and with no mechanical assistance or
added force, attempt to rotate the grease fitting.
If the ball joint is worn, the grease fitting will
rotate easily. If movement is noted, replacement of
the control arm is recommended.
LOWER BALL JOINT SEAL
BOOT
DESCRIPTION - EXPORT
The lower ball joint seal boot is a two piece unit. It
consists of the seal boot, plus a separate shield that
is located in a groove at the top of the seal boot.
NOTE: The seal boot should only be replaced if
damaged during vehicle service. The entire lower
control arm should be replaced if the joint has been
contaminated.
Fig. 16 Correctly Installed Eccentric Attaching Bolt
1 - STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - FLANGED BOLT IN TOP HOLE
3 - CAM BOLT IN BOTTOM HOLE
4 - STRUT CLEVIS BRACKET
2 - 10 FRONT SUSPENSIONRS
KNUCKLE (Continued)