wheel CHRYSLER CARAVAN 2003 User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: CHRYSLER, Model Year: 2003, Model line: CARAVAN, Model: CHRYSLER CARAVAN 2003Pages: 2177, PDF Size: 59.81 MB
Page 31 of 2177

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.
0 - 18 LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCERS
TOWING (Continued)
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Page 33 of 2177

every 77 000 km (48,000 miles) if the vehicle is usu-
ally operated under one or more of the conditions
marked with anL.
²
Day or night temperatures are below 0É C (32É F).
²Stop and go driving.
²Extensive engine idling.
²Driving in dusty conditions.
²Short trips of less than 16 km (10 miles).²
More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 32É C (90É F).L
²Trailer towing.L
²Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial ser-
vice).L
²Off-road or desert operation.
²If equipped for and operating with E-85
(ethanol) fuel.
Kilometers 5 000 10 000 14 000 19 000 24 000 29 000
(Miles) (3,000 ) (6,000 ) (9,000) (12,000) (15,000) (18,000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter.XXXXX X
Inspect the brake linings. X X
Inspect the engine air cleaner filter, replace
if necessary. *XXXX X
Replace theengine air cleaner filter.*X
Inspect and adjust the power steering pump
belt tension on 2.4 liter engines.X
Inspect the generator belt on 2.4 liter
engines, replace if necessary.X
Change the All Wheel Drive (AWD) power
transfer unit fluid. (See note at the end of
this chart)X
Replace the air conditioning filter. X
Kilometers 34 000 38 000 43 000 48 000 53 000 58 000
(Miles) (21,000) (24,000) (27,000) (30,000) (33,000) (36,000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter.XXXXX X
Inspect the brake linings. X X
Inspect the engine air cleaner filter, replace
if necessary. *XXX X X
Replace theengine air cleaner filter.X
Replace thespark plugs2.4 liter engines. X
Inspect the tie rod ends and boot seals. X
Inspect and adjust the power steering pump
belt tension on 2.4 liter engines.X
Inspect the generator belt on 2.4 liter
engines, replace if necessary.X
Inspect thePCV valveand replace as
necessary.*X
Change the manual transmission fluid. X
Change the All Wheel Drive (AWD) power
transfer unit fluid. (See note at the end of
this chart)X
Change the All Wheel Drive (AWD)
overrunning clutch and rear carrier fluid.
(See the note at the end of this chart)X
Replace the air conditioning filter. X
0a - 2 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULESRS
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES FOR ALL MARKETS EXCEPT U.S., CANADA and MEXICO (Continued)
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Page 34 of 2177

Kilometers 62 000 67 000 72 000 77 000 82 000 86 000
(Miles) (39,000) (42,000) (45,000) (48,000) (51,000) (54,000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter.XXXXX X
Inspect the brake linings. X X
Inspect the engine air cleaner filter, replace if
necessary. *XX XX X
Replace theengine air cleaner filter.*X
Inspect and adjust the power steering pump belt
tension on 2.4 liter engines.X
Inspect the generator belt on 2.4 liter engines,
replace if necessary.X
Change the automatic transmission fluid and fliter. X
Change the manual transmission fluid. X
Change the All Wheel Drive power transfer unit
fluid. (See the note at the end of this chart.)X
Change the All Wheel Drive (AWD) overrunning
clutch and rear carrier fluid. (See note at the end of
this chart)X
Replace the air conditioning filter. X
Kilometers 91 000 96 000 101 000 106 000 110 000 115 000
(Miles) (57,000) (60,000) (63,000) (66,000) (69,000) (72,000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter.XXXXX X
Inspect the brake linings. X X
Inspect the engine air cleaner filter, replace if
necessary. *X XXX X
Replace theengine air cleaner filter.X
Replace thespark plugson 2.4 liter engines. X
Replace theignition cableson 2.4 liter
engines.X
Inspect the tie rod ends and boot seals. X
Inspect and adjust the power steering pump
belt tension on 2.4 liter engines.X
Inspect the generator belt on 2.4 liter engines,
replace if necessary.X
Inspect thePCV valveand replace if
necessary.*X
Inspect the serpentine drive belt on 3.3 liter
engines, replace if necessary.X
Change the manual transmission fluid. X
Change the All Wheel Drive (AWD) power
transfer unit fluid. (See note at the end of this
chart)XX
Change the All Wheel Drive (AWD)
overrunning clutch and rear carrier fluid. (See
note at the end of this chart)X
Replace the air conditioning filter. X
RSMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES0a-3
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES FOR ALL MARKETS EXCEPT U.S., CANADA and MEXICO (Continued)
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Kilometers 120 000 125 000 130 000 134 000 139 000 144 000
(Miles) (75,000) (78,000) (81,000) (84,000) (87,000) (90,000)
Change engine oil and engine
oil filter.XXXXX X
Inspect the brake linings. X X
Inspect the engine air cleaner
filter, replace if necessary. *XXXX
Replace theengine air
cleaner filterXX
Replace thespark plugson
3.3 liter engines.X
Replace theignition cables
on 3.3 liter engines.X
Replace thespark plugson
2.4 liter engines.X
Inspect and adjust the power
steering pump belt tension on
2.4 liter engines.XX
Inspect the generator belt on
2.4 liter engines, replace if
necessary.XX
Inspect the tie rod ends and
boot seals.X
Inspect engine accessory
drive belts on 3.3 liter
engines, replace if necessary.
³XX
Change the manual
transmission fluid.X
Check thePCV valveand
replace if necessary. Not
required if previously
changed.*X
Change the All Wheel Drive
power transfer unit fluid. (See
the note at the end of this
chart.)XX
Change the All Wheel Drive
(AWD) overrunning clutch and
rear carrier fluid. (See note at
the end of this chart)X
Replace theengine timing
belton 2.4 liter engines. *X
Replace the air conditioning
filter.XX
0a - 4 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULESRS
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES FOR ALL MARKETS EXCEPT U.S., CANADA and MEXICO (Continued)
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Page 36 of 2177

Kilometers 149 000 154 000 158 000 160 000 163 000 168 000
(Miles) (93,000) (96,000) (99,000) (100,000) (102,000) (105,000)
Change engine oil and engine
oil filter.XXX X X
Inspect the brake linings. X
Inspect the engine air cleaner
filter, replace if necessary. *X XXX X
Replace theengine air
cleaner filter*X
Inspect and adjust the power
steering pump belt tension on
2.4 liter engines.X
Inspect the generator belt on
2.4 liter engines, replace if
necessary.X
Inspect engine accessory
drive belts on 3.3 liter
engines, replace if necessary.
³X
Change the automatic
transmission fluid and fliter.X
Change the manual
transmission fluid.X
Change the All Wheel Drive
(AWD) power transfer unit,
overrunning clutch and rear
carrier fluid. (See note at the
end of this chart)X
Flush and replace the engine
coolant at 60 months or
100,000 miles.X
Replace the air conditioning
filter.X
RSMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES0a-5
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES FOR ALL MARKETS EXCEPT U.S., CANADA and MEXICO (Continued)
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Page 37 of 2177

Kilometers 173 000 178 000 182 000 187 000 192 000
(Miles) (108,000) (111,000) (114,000) (117,000) (120,000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter.XXXX X
Inspect the brake linings. X X
Inspect the engine air cleaner filter, replace
if necessary. *XXXX
Replace theengine air cleaner filter.X
Replace thespark plugson 2.4 liter
engines.X
Replace theignition cableson 2.4 liter
engines.X
Inspect and adjust the power steering pump
belt tension on 2.4 liter engines.X
Inspect the generator belt on 2.4 liter
engines, replace if necessary.X
Inspect engine accessory drive belts on 3.3
liter engines, replace if necessary. ³X
Inspect the tie rod ends and boot seals. X
Inspect thePCV valveand replace as
necessary.*X
Change the All Wheel Drive (AWD) power
transfer unit fluid. (See note at the end of
this chart)X
Replace the air conditioning filter.X
* This maintenance is recommended by the manu-
facture to the owner but is not required to maintain
the emissions warranty.
³ This maintenance is not required if previously
replaced.
Inspection and service should also be performed
anytime a malfunction is observed or suspected.
Retain all receipts.NOTE: The AWD power transfer unit fluid and the
AWD overrunning clutch/ rear carrier fluid must be
changed at the more frequent intervals shown in
schedule B if the vehicle is operated under any of
the conditions noted by a diamond at the beginning
of the schedule.
0a - 6 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULESRS
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES FOR ALL MARKETS EXCEPT U.S., CANADA and MEXICO (Continued)
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Page 44 of 2177

SUSPENSION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
FRONT SUSPENSION.....................1
REAR SUSPENSION......................26WHEEL ALIGNMENT.....................46
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..........................5
OPERATION............................5
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HUB AND
BEARING............................5
REMOVAL.............................5
INSTALLATION..........................5
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 - BALL JOINT SEAL BOOT......11
REMOVAL - EXPORT...................11INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - BALL JOINT SEAL BOOT . . 11
INSTALLATION - EXPORT...............12
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....15
STABILIZER BAR
DESCRIPTION.........................16
OPERATION...........................16
REMOVAL.............................17
INSPECTION..........................17
INSTALLATION.........................17
STRUT
DESCRIPTION - STRUT ASSEMBLY.........19
OPERATION - STRUT ASSEMBLY..........19
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STRUT
ASSEMBLY..........................20
REMOVAL - STRUT ASSEMBLY............20
DISASSEMBLY - STRUT ASSEMBLY........21
ASSEMBLY - STRUT ASSEMBLY...........23
INSTALLATION - STRUT ASSEMBLY........25
RSSUSPENSION2-1
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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, the
strut assembly (through a pivot bearing in the upperstrut 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
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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
Bolt183 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
RSFRONT SUSPENSION2-3
FRONT SUSPENSION (Continued)
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Page 48 of 2177

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.
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 bepressed 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.
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.
Fig. 4 Hub Nut
1 - HUB NUT
2 - NUT LOCK
3 - COTTER PIN
4 - SPRING WASHER
RSFRONT SUSPENSION2-5
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