maintenance CHRYSLER CARAVAN 2002 User Guide

GROUND CLEARANCE
CAUTION: If vehicle is towed with wheels removed,
install lug nuts to retain brake drums or rotors.
A towed vehicle should be raised until the lifted
wheels are a minimum 100 mm (4 in.) from the
ground. Be sure there is at least 100 mm (4 in.)
clearance between the tail pipe and the ground. If
necessary, remove the wheels from the front end of
the vehicle and lower the front end closer to the
ground, to increase the ground clearance at the rear
of the vehicle. Install lug nuts on wheel attaching
studs to retain brake drums or rotors.
LOCKED VEHICLE TOWING
When a locked vehicle must be towed with the
front wheels on the ground, use a towing dolly or flat
bed hauler.
FLAT TOWING WITH TOW BAR
²Three speed automatic transaxle vehicles can be
flat towed at speeds not to exceed 40 km/h (25 mph)
for not more than 25 km (15 miles). The steering col-
umn must be unlocked and gear selector in neutral.
²Four speed electronic automatic transaxle vehi-
cles can be flat towed at speeds not to exceed 72
km/h (44 mph) for not more than 160 km (100 miles).
The steering column must be unlocked and gear
selector in neutral.
²AWD models should not be flat towed. For addi-
tional information, refer toRECOMMENDED TOW-
ING EQUIPMENTin this section.
FLAT BED TOWING TIE DOWNS
CAUTION: Do not tie vehicle down by attaching
chains or cables to suspension components or
engine mounts, damage to vehicle can result.
The vehicle can be tied to a flat bed device using
the two pair of front slots on the bottom surface of
the rails, behind the front wheels. The two pair of
rear slots on the bottom of the rail between the
bumper extension bolts and on the bottom of the rail
just rearward of the jounce bumper. Vehicles
equipped with a rear sway bar have brackets at this
location.
TOWING ± FRONT WHEEL LIFT
If the vehicle is being towed from the front, when-
ever possible ensure at least 10 inches road clearance
to the tires.
TOWING ± REAR WHEEL LIFT
If a vehicle cannot be towed with the front wheels
lifted, the rear wheels can be lifted provided the fol-
lowing guide lines are observed.
CAUTION: Do not use steering column lock to
secure steering wheel during towing operation.
²On AWD vehicles, all four wheels must be free to
rotate. Use towing dollies at unlifted end of vehicle.
²Unlock steering column and secure steering
wheel in straight ahead position with a clamp device
designed for towing.
²Three speed automatic transaxle vehicles can be
flat towed at speeds not to exceed 40 km/h (25 mph)
for not more than 25 km (15 miles). The steering col-
umn must be unlocked and gear selector in neutral.
²Four speed electronic automatic transaxle vehi-
cles can be flat towed at speeds not to exceed 72
km/h (44 mph) for not more than 160 km (100 miles).
The steering column must be unlocked and gear
selector in neutral.
Fig. 7 RECOMMENDED TOWING
1 - WHEEL LIFT
2 - FLAT BED
RSLUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE0-9
TOWING (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

FRONT SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION - FRONT SUSPENSION
This vehicle has a MacPherson Strut type front
suspension (Fig. 1).
OPERATION - FRONT SUSPENSION
The front suspension allows each wheel on a vehi-
cle to adapt to different road surfaces and conditions
without greatly affecting the opposite wheel and the
ability to control the vehicle. Each side of the front
suspension is allowed to pivot so the vehicle can be
steered in the direction preferred.
A strut assembly is used in place of the front sus-
pension upper control arm and upper ball joint.
When a vehicle strikes a bump, the force is trans-
ferred through the hub, bearing, and knuckle, into
the strut assembly to absorb the force and dampen it.
The top of the strut is mounted directly to the strut
tower of the vehicle. During steering maneuvers, thestrut assembly (through a pivot bearing in the upper
strut mount) and steering knuckle (through the lower
ball joint) turn as an assembly.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - LUBRICATION
There are no serviceable lubrication points on the
front suspension. The ball joints are sealed-for-life
and require no maintenance. The lower ball joints
have special grease fitting caps that prevent normal
grease gun attachment. This has been done to elimi-
nate the possibility of over-filling, damaging the non-
vented seal. Do not attempt to remove the special
grease fitting cap and replace it with a normal grease
zirc fitting.
CAUTION: No attempt should be made to replace
the ball joint grease fitting cap with a normal zirc
fitting or fill the ball joint with grease. Damage to
the grease seal can result.
Fig. 1 Front Suspension
1 - TOWER
2 - CROSSMEMBER TAPPING PLATES
3 - LEFT STRUT ASSEMBLY
4 - LEFT STEERING KNUCKLE (WITH HUB AND BEARING)
5 - STABILIZER BAR LINK
6 - STABILIZER BAR
7 - LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM
8 - CRADLE/CROSSMEMBER9 - CRADLE/CROSSMEMBER REINFORCEMENT
10 - BALL JOINT
11 - ISOLATOR BUSHING
12 - STEERING GEAR TIE ROD
13 - RIGHT STEERING KNUCKLE
14 - RIGHT HUB AND BEARING
15 - RIGHT STRUT ASSEMBLY
2 - 2 FRONT SUSPENSIONRS
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HUB AND
BEARING
The condition of the front hub and bearing assem-
bly is diagnosed using the inspection and testing pro-
cedure detailed below.
The bearing contained in the Unit III front hub/
bearing assembly will produce noise and vibration
when worn or damaged. The noise will generally
change when the bearings are loaded. A road test of
the vehicle is normally required to determine the
location of a worn or damaged bearing.
Find a smooth level road surface and bring the
vehicle up to a constant speed. When vehicle is at a
constant speed, swerve the vehicle back and forth
from the left and to the right. This will load and
unload the bearings and change the noise level.
When bearing damage is slight, the noise is some-
times noticeable at lower speeds and at other times
is more noticeable at speeds above 105 km/h (65
mph).
REMOVAL
NOTE: Replacement of the Unit III front hub/bearing
assembly can be normally done without having to
remove the steering knuckle from the vehicle. In the
event that the hub/bearing is frozen in the steering
knuckle and cannot be removed by hand, it will
have to be pressed out of the steering knuckle. The
steering knuckle will require removal from the vehi-
cle to allow the hub/bearing assembly to be
pressed out of the steering knuckle. (Refer to 2 -
SUSPENSION/FRONT/KNUCKLE - REMOVAL)
(1) Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)
(2) Remove wheel lug nuts, and front tire and
wheel assembly.
(3) Remove the cotter pin, nut lock and spring
washer from the stub axle (Fig. 4).
(4) With aid of a helper applying the brakes to
keep the front hub from turning, remove the hub nut
(Fig. 4).
(5) Remove disc brake caliper and adapter as an
assembly from knuckle as shown (Fig. 5). Hang
assembly out of the way using a bungee cord or wire.
Do not allow caliper hang by brake hose.
(6) Remove brake rotor from hub and bearing (Fig.
5).
(7) Push in on end of driveshaft stub shaft, push-
ing its splines out of the hub splines.(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.
Fig. 4 Hub Nut
1 - HUB NUT
2 - NUT LOCK
3 - COTTER PIN
4 - SPRING WASHER
Fig. 5 Front Brake Mounting
1 - BRAKE ROTOR
2 - HUB AND BEARING
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
4 - ADAPTER MOUNTING BOLTS
5 - BRAKE CALIPER
6 - ADAPTER
7 - CLIP
RSFRONT SUSPENSION2-5
HUB / BEARING (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

The center of the knuckle supports the hub and
bearing and axle shaft.
REMOVAL - STEERING KNUCKLE
(1) Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)
(2) Remove the wheel and tire assembly from the
vehicle.
(3) Remove the cotter pin, nut lock and spring
washer from the end of the stub axle and hub nut
(Fig. 8).
(4) Have a helper apply the vehicle's brakes to
keep hub from turning,loosen and removethe hub
nut (Fig. 8).
(5) Remove disc brake caliper and adapter as an
assembly from knuckle as shown (Fig. 9). Hang
assembly out of the way using a bungee cord or wire
(Fig. 10).Do not allow caliper to hang by brake
hose.
(6) Remove nut attaching outer tie rod end to
steering knuckle by holding the tie rod end stud
while loosening and removing nut with a wrench
(Fig. 11).
(7) Remove tie rod end from steering knuckle
using Remover, Special Tool C-3894±A (Fig. 12).
(8) If equipped with antilock brakes, remove the
front wheel speed sensor from the steering knuckle
(Fig. 13).
(9) Remove the two steering knuckle-to-strut clevis
bracket attaching bolts.
(10) Tip the knuckle outward and remove the
driveshaft stub axle from the hub and bearing. Sus-
pend driveshaft straight outward using a bungee
cord or wire (Fig. 10).Do not allow driveshaft to
hang by inner joint.
Fig. 8 Hub Nut
1 - HUB NUT
2 - NUT LOCK
3 - COTTER PIN
4 - SPRING WASHER
Fig. 9 Front Brake Mounting
1 - BRAKE ROTOR
2 - HUB AND BEARING
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
4 - ADAPTER MOUNTING BOLTS
5 - BRAKE CALIPER
6 - ADAPTER
7 - CLIP
Fig. 10 Caliper And Driveshaft Suspended
1 - HANGER SUSPENDING CALIPER
2 - HANGER SUSPENDING DRIVESHAFT
3 - DRIVESHAFT
4 - BRAKE CALIPER
RSFRONT SUSPENSION2-7
KNUCKLE (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

(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)
ProCarManuals.com

(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)
ProCarManuals.com

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)
ProCarManuals.com

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.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STRUT ASSEMBLY
(1) Inspect for damaged or broken coil springs
(Fig. 38).
(2) Inspect for torn or damaged strut assembly
dust boots (Fig. 38).
(3) Inspect the coil spring isolator on the lower
spring seat for any signs of damage or deterioration.
(4) Lift dust boot (Fig. 39) and inspect strut
assembly for evidence of fluid running from the
upper end of fluid reservoir. (Actual leakage will be astream of fluid running down the side and dripping
off lower end of unit). A slight amount of seepage
between the strut rod and strut shaft seal is not
unusual and does not affect performance of the strut
assembly (Fig. 39). Also inspect jounce bumpers for
signs of damage or deterioration.
REMOVAL - STRUT ASSEMBLY
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE NUT FROM THE
STRUT ROD WHILE STRUT ASSEMBLY IS
INSTALLED IN VEHICLE, OR BEFORE STRUT
ASSEMBLY SPRING IS COMPRESSED.
(1) Raise the vehicle. See Hoisting in Lubrication
and Maintenance.
(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).
Fig. 38 STRUT ASSEMBLY
1 - NUT 6 - COIL SPRING
2 - UPPER MOUNT 7 - DUST SHIELD
3 - PIVOT BEARING 8 - JOUNCE BUMPER
4 - UPPER SPRING SEAT 9 - LOWER SPRING ISOLATOR
5 - UPPER SPRING ISOLATOR 10 - STRUT (DAMPER)
2 - 20 FRONT SUSPENSIONRS
STRUT (Continued)
ProCarManuals.com

BUSHINGS
REMOVAL - LEAF SPRING FRONT BUSHING
(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. Lowerit 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.
(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.
(9) Tighten nut (Fig. 5), removing bushing from
spring eye.
(10) Remove the tool from spring, then remove
bushing from tool.
INSTALLATION - LEAF SPRING FRONT
BUSHING
(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.
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
RSREAR SUSPENSION2-29
ProCarManuals.com