wheel alignment DODGE NEON 1999 Service Owner's Guide

(13) Start the engine and let run for a few seconds.
Then turn the engine off.
(14) Add fluid if necessary.
(15) Raise front wheels of vehicle off the ground.
(16) Start engine and turn steering wheel several
times from stop to stop to bleed air from fluid in sys-
tem. Stop engine, check fluid level, and inspect sys-
tem for leaks.Fill pump reservoir to correct
level with Mopart, Power Steering Fluid, or
equivalent.See Checking Fluid Level.
(17) Lower front wheels of vehicle back on the
ground.
CAUTION: During this procedure do not allow the
steering gear inner tie rod boots to become twisted.
(See Wheel Alignment in the suspension section of
this service manual).
(18) Adjust the front Toe setting on the vehicle.
Refer to the Toe Setting Procedure in Front Suspen-
sion Service Procedures in this group of the service
manual. Refer to the Specifications Section at the
end of this group for the desired front Toe specifica-
tion.
(19) Tighten tie rod jam nut (Fig. 18) to 61 N´m
(45 ft.lbs.) torque.
(20) Adjust steering gear to tie rod boots at tie
rods.
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY
OUTER TIE ROD
DISASSEMBLE
(1) Loosen the inner tie rod to outer tie rod jam
nut (Fig. 19). Thread the jam nut far enough up the
inner tie rod to pull the collar (Fig. 19) away fromthe outer tie rod end. Pull the collar off the end of
the outer tie rod.
(2) Remove the nut attaching the outer tie rod end
to steering knuckle (Fig. 20).Nut is to be removed
from tie rod end using the following procedure,
hold tie rod end stud with a 11/32 socket while
loosening and removing nut with wrench.
(3) Remove tie rod end from steering knuckle
using Remover, Special Tool MB-991113 (Fig. 21) .
(4) Remove outer tie rod from inner tie rod by un-
threading it from the inner tie rod.
ASSEMBLE
(1) Install the jam nut (Fig. 19) on inner tie rod
end.
Fig. 18 Outer Tie Rod End Jam Nut
Fig. 19 Outer Tie Rod
Fig. 20 Removing /Installing Tie Rod End Attaching
Nut
19 - 32 STEERINGPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

NOTE: Be sure the collar is installed on the inner
tie rod with the flat end of the collar against jam nut
and the open end of the collar facing the outer tie
rod end.
(2) Install the collar (Fig. 19) on the inner tie rod.
(3) Install outer tie rod onto inner tie rod (Fig. 19).
(4) Position the collar around the end of the outer
tie rod (Fig. 19).
(5) Thread the jam nut down the inner tie far
enough to hold the collar in place on the outer tie
rod. Do not tighten jam nut.
(6) Install the tie rod end into the steering
knuckle. Start tie rod end to steering knuckle attach-
ing nut onto stud of tie rod end. While holding stud
of tie rod end stationary, tighten tie rod end to steer-
ing knuckle attaching nut (Fig. 20). Then using a
crowfoot and 11/32 socket (Fig. 22), torque the tie rod
end attaching nut to 61 N´m (45 ft. lbs.).
CAUTION: During this procedure do not allow the
steering gear boot to become twisted. (See WheelAlignment in the suspension section of this service
manual).
(7) Adjust the front Toe setting on the vehicle.
Refer to the Toe Setting Procedure in Front Suspen-
sion Service Procedures in this group of the service
manual. Refer to the Specifications Section at the
end of this group for the desired front Toe specifica-
tion.
CAUTION: Prior to tightening the jam nut to the
specified torque, check the orientation of the collar
to be sure it is in the proper position to fit up
against the outer tie rod end.
(8) Torque the tie rod jam nut (Fig. 19) to a torque
of 55 N´m (40 ft. lbs.) torque.
(9) Adjust the steering gear to inner tie rod boots
at inner tie rod if they became twisted during Toe
adjustment.
Fig. 22 Torquing Tie Rod End Attaching NutFig. 21 Tie Rod End Removal From Steering
Knuckle
PLSTEERING 19 - 33
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY (Continued)

TIRE NOISE OR VIBRATION
Radial-ply tires are sensitive to force impulses
caused by improper mounting, vibration, wheel
defects, or possibly tire imbalance.
To find out if tires are causing the noise or vibra-
tion, drive the vehicle over a smooth road at varying
speeds. Note the noise level during acceleration and
deceleration. The engine, differential and exhaust
noises will change as speed varies, while the tire
noise will usually remain constant.
LEAD CORRECTION CHART
Use the following chart to diagnose a vehicle that
has a complaint of a drift or lead condition. The use
of the chart will help to determine if the lead condi-
tion is the result of a bad tire or is caused by the
front wheel alignment.
SERVICE PROCEDURES
TIRE AND WHEEL ROTATION
NON-DIRECTIONAL TREAD PATTERN TIRES
Tires on the front and rear axles operate at differ-
ent loads and perform different functions. For these
reasons, they wear at unequal rates, and tend to
develop irregular wear patterns. These effects can be
reduced by timely rotation of tires. The benefits of
rotation are especially worthwhile. Rotation will
increase tread life, help to maintain mud, snow, and
wet traction levels, and contribute to a smooth, quiet
ride.
The suggested rotation method is the forward-cross
tire rotation method (Fig. 6). This method takes
advantage of current tire industry practice whichallows rotation of radial-ply tires. Other rotation
methods may be used, but may not have all the ben-
efits of the recommended method.
NOTE: Only the 4 tire rotation method may be used
if the vehicle is equipped with a low mileage or tem-
porary spare tire.
DIRECTIONAL TREAD PATTERN TIRES
Some vehicles are fitted with special high-perfor-
mance tires having a directional tread pattern. These
tires are designed to improve traction on wet pave-
ment. To obtain the full benefits of this design, the
tires must be installed so that they rotate in the cor-
rect direction. This is indicated by arrows on the tire
sidewalls.
When wheels and tires are being installed, extra
care is needed to ensure that this direction of rota-
tion is maintained.
Refer to Owner's Manual for rotation schedule.
REPAIRING TIRE LEAKS
For proper repairing, a radial tire must be removed
from the wheel. Repairs should only be made if the
defect, or puncture, is in the tread area (Fig. 7). The
tire should be replaced if the puncture is located in
the sidewall.
Deflate tire completely before attempting to dis-
mount the tire from the wheel.Use a lubricant
such as a mild soap solution when dismounting
or mounting tire.Use tools free of burrs or sharp
edges which could damage the tire or wheel rim.
Before mounting tire on wheel, make sure all rust
is removed from the rim bead and repaint if neces-
sary.
Fig. 5 Tire Wear Patterns
22 - 4 TIRES AND WHEELSPL
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

WHEELS
INDEX
page page
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
WHEEL COVER (LOCK-ON)................. 8
WHEEL INFORMATION.................... 8
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
TIRE AND WHEEL RUNOUT................ 9
WHEEL INSPECTION...................... 9
SERVICE PROCEDURES
TIRE AND WHEEL BALANCE............... 10REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
WHEEL AND TIRE....................... 12
WHEEL COVER (LOCK-ON)................ 12
WHEEL COVER RETAINING NUT........... 13
SPECIFICATIONS
WHEEL SPECIFICATIONS................. 14
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
WHEEL INFORMATION
Original equipment wheels are designed for proper
operation at all loads up to the specified maximum
vehicle capacity.
All models use steel or cast aluminum drop center
wheels. Every wheel has raised sections between the
rim flanges and rim drop well called safety humps
(Fig. 1).
Initial inflation of the tires forces the bead over
these raised sections. In case of air loss the raised
sections help hold the tire in position on the wheel
until the vehicle can be brought to a safe stop.
Cast aluminum wheels require special balance
weights to fit on the thicker flange of the rim and
special wheel clamps for the alignment equipment.
The wheel studs and nuts are designed for specific
wheel applications and must be replaced with equiv-
alent parts. Do not use replacement parts of lesser
quality or of a substitute design. All aluminum
wheels use wheel nuts with an enlarged nose. Thisenlarged nose is necessary to ensure proper retention
of the wheels.
Vehicles that are equipped with lock-on wheel cov-
ers use large nose wheel nuts. The wheel nuts are
externally threaded so that the wheel covers can be
attached to the wheel nuts.
Before installing a wheel, remove any buildup of
corrosion on the wheel mounting surface.
WARNING: INSTALLING WHEELS WITHOUT GOOD
METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT COULD CAUSE LOOS-
ENING OF WHEEL LUG NUTS. THIS COULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SAFETY AND HANDLING
OF YOUR VEHICLE.
WHEEL COVER (LOCK-ON)
This vehicle uses a lock-on type wheel cover (Fig.
2) on certain models.
The wheel cover is attached to the wheel using the
5 nuts located in the wheel cover (Fig. 2). The nuts in
the wheel cover thread onto a special externally
threaded wheel nut (Fig. 3) to retain the wheel cover
to the wheel.
Fig. 1 Safety Rim
Fig. 2 Wheel Cover And Retaining Nut
22 - 8 TIRES AND WHEELSPL