DODGE TOWN AND COUNTRY 2004 Service Manual

SHUDDER OR VIBRATION DURING ACCELERATION
This problem could be a result of:
²A worn or damaged half shaft inner tripod joint.
²A sticking tripod joint spider assembly (inner tri-
pod joint only).
²Improper wheel alignment. (Refer to 2 - SUS-
PENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE)
VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS
This problem could be a result of:
²Foreign material (mud, etc.) packed on the back-
side of the wheel(s).
²Out of balance tires or wheels. (Refer to 22 -
TIRES/WHEELS - STANDARD PROCEDURE)
²Improper tire and/or wheel runout. (Refer to 22 -
TIRES/WHEELS - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)
REMOVAL
(1) Raise vehicle.
(2) Remove the cotter pin and nut lock (Fig. 2)
from the end of the half shaft.
(3) Remove the wheel and tire assembly from the
vehicle. (Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS - REMOVAL)
(4) Remove the wave washer (Fig. 3) from the end
of the half shaft.(5) With the vehicle's brakes applied to keep hub
from turning,loosen and removethe half shaft
nut.
(6) Remove the two front disc brake caliper
adapter to steering knuckle attaching bolts (Fig. 4).
Fig. 1 Unequal Length Half Shaft System
1 - STUB AXLE 8 - OUTER C/V JOINT
2 - OUTER C/V JOINT 9 - RIGHT HALFSHAFT
3 - OUTER C/V JOINT BOOT 10 - INNER TRIPOD JOINT BOOT
4 - TUNED RUBBER DAMPER WEIGHT 11 - INNER TRIPOD JOINT
5 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT 12 - INNER TRIPOD JOINT
6 - OUTER C/V JOINT BOOT 13 - INNER TRIPOD JOINT BOOT
7 - STUB AXLE 14 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT LEFT HALFSHAFT
Fig. 2 Half Shaft Retaining Nut
1 - HUB/BEARING
2 - NUT LOCK
3 - COTTER PIN
4 - STUB AXLE
3 - 2 HALF SHAFT - FRONTRS
HALF SHAFT - FRONT (Continued)

(7) Remove the disc brake caliper assembly from
the steering knuckle. Caliper assembly is removed by
first rotating top of caliper assembly away from
steering knuckle and then removing bottom of assem-
bly out from under machined abutment on steering
knuckle.
(8) Support disc brake caliper assembly by using a
wire hook and suspending it from the strut assembly
(Fig. 5).Do not allow the brake caliper assembly
to hang by the brake flex hose.
(9) Remove the brake rotor from the hub and bear-
ing assembly.(10) Remove the steering knuckle-to-strut attach-
ment bolts (Fig. 6) from the steering knuckle.
(11) Pull the steering knuckle from the strut clevis
bracket.
NOTE: Care must be taken not to separate the inner
C/V joint during this operation. Do not allow half
shaft to hang by inner C/V joint after removing
outer C/V Joint from the hub/bearing assembly in
steering knuckle, end of half shaft must be sup-
ported.
Fig. 3 Wave Washer
1 - HUB/BEARING ASSEMBLY
2 - WAVE WASHER
3 - STUB AXLE
Fig. 4 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. 5 Properly Supported Disc Brake Caliper -
Typical
1 - STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - BRAKE FLEX HOSE
3 - CALIPER ASSEMBLY
4 - WIRE HANGER
5 - STRUT ASSEMBLY
Fig. 6 Strut To Steering Knuckle Attaching Bolts
1 - STRUT CLEVIS BRACKET
2 - NUTS AND BOLTS
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
RSHALF SHAFT - FRONT3-3
HALF SHAFT - FRONT (Continued)

(12) Pull steering knuckle assembly down and
away from the outer C/V joint of the half shaft
assembly while pulling the joint out of the hub bear-
ing.
(13) Support the outer end of the half shaft assem-
bly. Insert a pry bar between inner tripod joint and
transaxle case (Fig. 7). Pry against inner tripod joint,
until tripod joint retaining snap-ring is disengaged
from transaxle side gear.
(14) Hold inner tripod joint and interconnecting
shaft of half shaft assembly. Remove inner tripod
joint from transaxle, by pulling it straight out of
transaxle side gear and transaxle oil seal (Fig. 8).
When removing tripod joint, do not let spline or
snap-ring drag across sealing lip of the trans-
axle to tripod joint oil seal.
INSTALLATION
(1) Thoroughly clean spline and oil seal sealing
surface, on tripod joint. Lightly lubricate oil seal
sealing surface on tripod joint with fresh clean trans-
mission lubricant.
(2) Holding half shaft assembly by tripod joint and
interconnecting shaft, install tripod joint into trans-
axle side gear as far as possible by hand (Fig. 8).
(3) Grasp inner tripod joint an interconnecting
shaft. Forcefully push the tripod joint into side gear
of transaxle, until snap-ring is engaged with trans-
axle side gear.Test that snap-ring is fully
engaged with side gear by attempting to
remove tripod joint from transaxle by hand. If
snap-ring is fully engaged with side gear, tripod
joint will not be removable by hand.(4) Clean all debris and moisture out of steering
knuckle, in the area were outer CV joint will be
installed into steering knuckle.
(5) Ensure that front of outer CV joint which fits
against the face of the hub and bearing is free of
debris and moisture before installing outer CV joint
into hub and bearing assembly (Fig. 9).
(6) Slide half shaft back into front hub and bear-
ing assembly.
Fig. 7 Disengaging Inner Tripod Joint From
Transaxle
1 - INNER TRIPOD JOINT
2 - TRANSAXLE CASE
3-PRYBAR
Fig. 8 Tripod Joint Removal from Transaxle
1 - INNER TRIPOD JOINT
2 - TRANSAXLE
3 - SPLINE
4 - OIL SEAL
5 - SNAP-RING
6 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
Fig. 9 Outer CV Joint Inspection
1 - OUTER C/V JOINT
2 - THIS AREA OF OUTER C/V JOINT MUST BE FREE OF ALL
DEBRIS AND MOISTURE, BEFORE INSTALLATION INTO
STEERING KNUCKLE.
3 - 4 HALF SHAFT - FRONTRS
HALF SHAFT - FRONT (Continued)

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. 10).
(7) Install steering knuckle in clevis bracket of
strut damper assembly. Install the strut damper to
steering knuckle attaching bolts. Tighten both bolts
to a torque of 81 N´m (60 ft. lbs.) plus an additional
1/4 turn.
(8) Install braking disc on hub and bearing assem-
bly.
(9) Install disc brake caliper assembly on steering
knuckle. Caliper is installed by first sliding bottom of
caliper assembly under abutment on steering
knuckle, and then rotating top of caliper against top
abutment.
(10) Install disc brake caliper adapter to steering
knuckle attaching bolts (Fig. 4). Tighten the discbrake caliper adapter attaching bolts to a torque of
169 N´m (125 ft. lbs.).
(11) Clean all foreign matter from the threads of
the outer CV joint. Install the washer and half shaft
to hub/bearing assembly nut on half shaft and
securely tighten nut.
(12) Install front wheel and tire assembly. Install
and tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in proper
sequence until all nuts are torqued to half the
required specification. Then repeat the tightening
sequence to the full specified torque of 135 N´m (100
ft. lbs.).
(13) Lower vehicle.
(14) With the vehicle's brakes applied to keep hub
from turning, tighten the hub nut to a torque of 244
N´m (180 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 11).
(15) Install the spring wave washer on the end of
the half shaft.
(16) Install the hub nut lock, and anewcotter pin
(Fig. 2). Wrap cotter pin prongs tightly around the
hub nut lock as shown in (Fig. 2).
(17) Check for correct fluid level in transaxle
assembly. (Refer to 21 - TRANSMISSION/TRANS-
AXLE/AUTOMATIC - 41TE/FLUID - STANDARD
PROCEDURE)
Fig. 10 Correctly Installed Eccentric Attaching Bolt
1 - STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - FLANGED BOLT IN TOP HOLE
3 - CAM BOLT IN BOTTOM HOLE
4 - STRUT CLEVIS BRACKET
Fig. 11 Torquing Front Half Shaft To Hub Nut
1 - TORQUE WRENCH
RSHALF SHAFT - FRONT3-5
HALF SHAFT - FRONT (Continued)

SPECIFICATIONS - HALF SHAFT - FRONT
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Bolts, Caliper Adapter to
Knuckle169 125 -
Nut, Hub 244 180 -
Nuts, Front Wheel Lug 135 100 -
Nut, Tie Rod End to
Knuckle75 55 -
Nut, Strut Clevis to
Knuckle81 +90É 60 +90É -
CV BOOT - INNER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the half shaft requiring boot replace-
ment from the vehicle. (Refer to 3 - DIFFERENTIAL
& DRIVELINE/HALF SHAFT - REMOVAL)
(2) Remove large boot clamp which retains inner
tripod joint sealing boot to tripod joint housing and
discard.
(3) Remove small clamp which retains inner tripod
joint sealing boot to interconnecting shaft and dis-
card.
(4) Remove the sealing boot from the tripod hous-
ing and slide it down the interconnecting shaft.
(5) Slide the tripod joint housing off the spider
assembly and the interconnecting shaft (Fig. 12).
(6) Remove snap-ring which retains spider assem-
bly to interconnecting shaft (Fig. 13).Do not hit theouter tripod bearings in an attempt to remove
spider assembly from interconnecting shaft.
(7) Remove the spider assembly from interconnect-
ing shaft. If spider assembly will not come off inter-
connecting shaft by hand, it can be removed by
tapping spider assembly with a brass drift (Fig. 14).
(8) Slide sealing boot off interconnecting shaft.
(9) Thoroughly clean and inspect spider assembly,
tripod joint housing, and interconnecting shaft for
any signs of excessive wear.If any parts show
signs of excessive wear, the half shaft assembly
will require replacement. Component parts of
these half shaft assemblies are not serviceable.
INSTALLATION
(1) Slide inner CV joint seal boot retaining clamp,
onto the interconnecting shaft. Then, slide the
replacement inner CV joint sealing boot onto the
interconnecting shaft.Inner CV joint seal boot
Fig. 12 Spider Assembly Removal from Tripod Joint
Housing
1 - TRIPOD JOINT HOUSING
2 - SPIDER ASSEMBLY
3 - SEALING BOOT
Fig. 13 Spider Assembly Retaining Snap-Ring
1 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
2 - SPIDER ASSEMBLY
3 - RETAINING SNAP-RING
3 - 6 HALF SHAFT - FRONTRS
HALF SHAFT - FRONT (Continued)

MUST be positioned on interconnecting shaft
so the raised bead on the inside of the small
diameter end of the seal boot is in mating
groove on interconnecting shaft (Fig. 15).
(2) Install spider assembly onto interconnecting
shaft (Fig. 16). Spider assembly must be installed on
interconnecting shaft far enough to fully install spi-
der retaining snap-ring. If the spider assembly will
not fully install on interconnecting shaft by hand, it
can be installed by tapping the spider body with a
brass drift (Fig. 17).Do not hit the outer tripod
bearings in an attempt to install spider assem-
bly on interconnecting shaft.(3) Install the spider assembly to interconnecting
shaft retaining snap-ring into groove on end of inter-
connecting shaft (Fig. 18). Be sure the snap-ring is
fully seated into groove on interconnecting shaft.
(4) Distribute 1/2 the amount of grease provided in
the seal boot service package (DO NOT USE ANY
OTHER TYPE OF GREASE) into tripod housing. Put
the remaining amount into the sealing boot.
(5) Align tripod housing with spider assembly and
then slide tripod housing over spider assembly and
interconnecting shaft (Fig. 19).
(6) Install inner CV joint seal boot to interconnect-
ing shaft clamp evenly on sealing boot.
Fig. 14 Spider Assembly Removal from
Interconnecting Shaft
1 - SPIDER ASSEMBLY
2 - DO NOT HIT SPIDER ASSEMBLY BEARINGS WHEN
REMOVING SPIDER ASSEMBLY
3 - BRASS DRIFT
4 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
Fig. 15 Sealing Boot Installation on Interconnecting
Shaft
1 - SEALING BOOT
2 - RAISED BEAD IN THIS AREA OF SEALING BOOT
3 - GROOVE
4 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
Fig. 16 Spider Assembly Installation on
Interconnecting Shaft
1 - SPIDER ASSEMBLY
2 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
Fig. 17 Installing Spider Assembly on
Interconnecting Shaft
1 - DO NOT HIT BEARINGS WHEN INSTALLING THE SPIDER
ASSEMBLY
2 - SPIDER ASSEMBLY
3 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
4 - BRASS DRIFT
RSHALF SHAFT - FRONT3-7
CV BOOT - INNER (Continued)

(7) Place crimping tool C-4975-A over bridge of
clamp (Fig. 20).
(8) Tighten nut on crimping tool C-4975-A until
jaws on tool are closed completely together, face to
face (Fig. 21).
CAUTION: Seal boot must not be dimpled, stretched
or out of shape in any way. If seal boot is NOT
shaped correctly, equalize pressure in seal and
shape it by hand.
(9) Position sealing boot into the tripod housing
retaining groove. Install seal boot retaining clamp
evenly on sealing boot.(10) Position trilobal boot to interface with the tri-
pod housing. The lobes of the boot must be properly
aligned with the recess's of the tripod housing.
CAUTION: The following positioning procedure
determines the correct air pressure inside the inner
CV joint assembly prior to clamping the sealing
boot to inner CV joint housing. If this procedure is
not done prior to clamping sealing boot to CV joint
housing sealing boot durability can be adversely
affected.
Fig. 18 Spider Assembly Retaining Snap-Ring
Installed
1 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
2 - SPIDER ASSEMBLY
3 - RETAINING SNAP-RING
Fig. 19 Installing Tripod Housing on Spider
Assembly
1 - TRIPOD JOINT HOUSING
2 - SPIDER ASSEMBLY
3 - SEALING BOOT
Fig. 20 Crimping Tool Installed on Sealing Boot
Clamp - Typical
1 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4975-A
2 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
3 - CLAMP
4 - SEALING BOOT
Fig. 21 Sealing Boot Retaining Clamp Installed -
Typical
1 - CLAMP
2 - JAWS OF SPECIAL TOOL C-4975-A MUST BE CLOSED
COMPLETELY TOGETHER HERE
3 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
4 - SEALING BOOT
3 - 8 HALF SHAFT - FRONTRS
CV BOOT - INNER (Continued)

CAUTION: When venting the inner CV joint assem-
bly, use care so that the inner CV sealing boot does
not get punctured, or in any other way damaged. If
sealing boot is punctured, or damaged in any way
while being vented, the sealing boot can not be
used.
(11) Insert a trim stick between the CV joint hous-
ing and the sealing boot insert to vent inner CV joint
assembly (Fig. 22).When inserting trim stick
between tripod housing and sealing boot
ensure trim stick is held flat and firmly against
the tripod housing. If this is not done damage
to the sealing boot can occur.
(12) With trim stick inserted between sealing boot
insert and the CV joint housing, position the inter-
connecting shaft so it is at the center of its travel in
the tripod joint housing. Remove the trim stick from
between the sealing boot insert and the CV joint
housing.This procedure will equalize the air
pressure in the CV joint, preventing premature
sealing boot failure.
(13) Clamp CV joint sealing boot to CV joint, using
required procedure for type of boot clamp application.CRIMP TYPE BOOT CLAMP
If seal boot uses crimp type boot clamp, use the fol-
lowing procedure to install the retaining clamp.
(1) Place crimping tool C-4975-A over bridge of
clamp (Fig. 23).
(2) Tighten nut on crimping tool C-4975-A until
jaws on tool are closed completely together, face to
face (Fig. 24).
Fig. 22 Trim Stick Inserted for Venting CV Joint
1 - INNER CV JOINT SEALING BOOT
2 - SEALING BOOT CLAMP
3 - INNER CV JOINT HOUSING
4 - TRIM STICK
Fig. 23 Crimping Tool Installed on Sealing Boot
Clamp
1 - CLAMP
2 - TRIPOD JOINT HOUSING
3 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4975-A
4 - SEALING BOOT
Fig. 24 Sealing Boot Retaining Clamp Installed
1 - CLAMP
2 - TRIPOD HOUSING
3 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4975-A
4 - JAWS OF SPECIAL TOOL C-4975-A MUST BE CLOSED
COMPLETELY TOGETHER HERE
5 - SEALING BOOT
RSHALF SHAFT - FRONT3-9
CV BOOT - INNER (Continued)

LATCHING TYPE BOOT CLAMP
If seal boot uses low profile latching type boot
clamp, use the following procedure to install the
retaining clamp.
(1) Place prongs of clamp locking tool in the holes
of the clamp (Fig. 25).
(2) Squeeze tool together until top band of clamp is
latched behind the two tabs on lower band of clamp
(Fig. 26).
(14) Install the half shaft back into the vehicle.
(Refer to 3 - DIFFERENTIAL & DRIVELINE/HALF
SHAFT - INSTALLATION)
CV BOOT - OUTER
REMOVAL
(1) Remove half shaft assembly requiring boot
replacement from vehicle. (Refer to 3 - DIFFEREN-
TIAL & DRIVELINE/HALF SHAFT - REMOVAL)
(2) Remove large boot clamp retaining CV joint
sealing boot to CV joint housing (Fig. 27) and dis-
card.
(3) Remove small clamp that retains outer CV
joint sealing boot to interconnecting shaft and dis-
card.
(4) Remove sealing boot from outer CV joint hous-
ing and slide it down interconnecting shaft.
(5) Wipe away grease to expose outer CV joint to
interconnecting shaft retaining ring.
(6) Spread ears apart on CV joint assembly to
interconnecting shaft retaining ring (Fig. 28).
(7) Slide outer CV joint assembly off end of inter-
connecting shaft.
(8) Slide sealing boot off interconnecting shaft.
(9) Thoroughly clean and inspect outer CV joint
assembly and interconnecting joint for any signs of
excessive wear.If any parts show signs of exces-
sive wear, the half shaft assembly will require
replacement. Component parts of these half
shaft assemblies are not serviceable.
INSTALLATION
(1) Slide the new small diameter seal boot retain-
ing clamp onto the interconnecting shaft. Then slide
the replacement outer CV joint assembly sealing boot
onto the interconnecting shaft.
Fig. 25 Clamping Tool Installed on Sealing Boot
Clamp
1 - CLAMP
2 - TOOL YA3050, OR EQUIVALENT
3 - SEALING BOOT
Fig. 26 Sealing Boot Clamp Correctly Installed
1 - INNER TRIPOD JOINT HOUSING
2 - TOP BAND OF CLAMP MUST BE RETAINED BY TABS AS
SHOWN HERE TO CORRECTLY LATCH BOOT CLAMP
3 - SEALING BOOT
Fig. 27 Outer CV Joint Seal Boot Clamps
1 - SMALL CLAMP
2 - SEALING BOOT
3 - OUTER C/V JOINT HOUSING
4 - LARGE CLAMP
5 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
3 - 10 HALF SHAFT - FRONTRS
CV BOOT - INNER (Continued)

(2) Install the outer CV joint assembly onto the
interconnecting shaft. Joint is installed on intercon-
necting shaft, by pushing interconnecting shaft into
outer CV joint, until retaining ring is seated in
groove on interconnecting shaft (Fig. 29). Verify that
the retaining ring is fully seated into groove on inter-
connecting shaft.
(3) Distribute 1/2 the amount of grease provided in
seal boot service package (DO NOT USE ANY
OTHER TYPE OF GREASE) into outer CV joint
assembly housing. Put the remaining amount into
the sealing boot.(4) Install outer CV joint seal boot retaining
clamp, onto interconnecting shaft. Install replace-
ment outer CV joint sealing boot onto interconnecting
shaft.Outer CV joint seal boot MUST be posi-
tioned on interconnecting shaft, so that only
the thinnest (sight) groove on interconnecting
shaft is visible (Fig. 30).
(5) Place crimping tool C- 4975-A over bridge of
clamp (Fig. 31).
(6) Tighten nut on crimping tool C- 4975-A until
jaws on tool are closed completely together, face to
face (Fig. 32).
Fig. 28 Outer CV Joint Removal From
Interconnecting Shaft
1 - SPREAD RETAINING RING EARS AND PULL JOINT OFF
SHAFT
2 - RETAINING SNAP RING
3 - RETAINING RING
4 - OUTER C/V JOINT ASSEMBLY
5 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
Fig. 29 Outer CV Joint Installed On Interconnecting
Shaft
1 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
2 - RETAINING SNAP RING
3 - OUTER C/V JOINT ASSEMBLY
Fig. 30 Seal Boot Correctly Positioned On
Interconnecting Shaft
1 - SEALING BOOT
2 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT THINNEST GROOVE
3 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
4 - BOOT CLAMP
Fig. 31 Crimping Tool Installed on Sealing Boot
Clamp
1 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4975-A
2 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT
3 - CLAMP
4 - SEALING BOOT
RSHALF SHAFT - FRONT3-11
CV BOOT - OUTER (Continued)