Chrysler RG Voyager. Manual - part 634

(3) Check position of the stabilizer bar in the front

suspension cradle. The center of the curved section of
the stabilizer bar must be aligned with the raised
line in the center of the front suspension cradle (Fig.
37).

(4) Install the stabilizer bar link mounting stud

through the hole in each end of the stabilizer bar
(Fig. 33).

CAUTION: When installing the nut on the mounting
stud of the stabilizer bar link, do not allow the stud
to rotate in it’s socket. Hold the stud from rotating
by

placing

open-end

wrench

the

flat

machined into the stud (Fig. 33).

(5) Hand-thread the nut on the end of each stabi-

lizer bar link stud. Hold the studs from turning by
placing an open-end wrench on the flat machined
into the link’s mounting stud, then tighten each nut
while holding the wrench in place (Fig. 33). Tighten
each nut to a torque of 88 N·m (65 ft. lbs.).

(6) Tighten the stabilizer bar bushing retainer to

cradle attaching bolts (Fig. 34) to 68 N·m (50 ft. lbs.)
torque.

(7) Install the reinforcement on the front suspen-

sion cradle crossmember and install the bolts attach-
ing the reinforcement to the cradle crossmember
(Fig. 32). Tighten the M-14 size bolts to a torque of
153 N·m (113 ft. lbs.). Tighten the M-12 size bolts to
a torque of 106 N·m (78 ft. lbs.).

(8) Install the lower control arm rear bushing

retainer bolts through reinforcement on each side of
each lower control arm rear bushing. Tighten these
M-10 size bolts to a torque of 61 N·m (45 ft. lbs.).

(9) Install the two bolts and bushings attaching

the reinforcement and rear of cradle crossmember to
body of vehicle (Fig. 32). Tighten bolts to a torque of
163 N·m (120 ft. lbs.).

(10) Install the power steering cooler (Fig. 31).

Tighten bolts to a torque of 11 N·m (100 in. lbs.).

(11) Lower the vehicle.

STRUT

DESCRIPTION - STRUT ASSEMBLY

A Macpherson type strut assembly is used in place

of a conventional front suspension’s upper control
arm and upper ball joint. The bottom of the strut
mounts directly to the steering knuckle using two
bolts and nuts going through the strut clevis bracket
and steering knuckle. The top of the strut mounts
directly to the strut tower of the vehicle using the
threaded studs on the strut assemblies upper mount.

The strut assembly includes the components listed

in the figure (Fig. 38).

Each component is serviced by removing the strut

assembly from the vehicle and disassembling it.

The coil springs are side-oriented. Springs on the

left side of the vehicle have a left-hand wind top-to-
bottom while springs on the right side have a right-
hand wind top-to-bottom. This helps provide better
vehicle stability during jounce and rebound maneu-
vers of the front suspension. Left and right springs
must not be interchanged. Coil springs are rated sep-
arately for each corner or side of the vehicle depend-
ing on optional equipment and type of vehicle
service. If the coil springs require replacement, be
sure that the springs are replaced with springs meet-
ing the correct load rating and spring rate for the
vehicle and its specific options.

OPERATION - STRUT ASSEMBLY

The strut assembly cushions the ride of the vehicle,

controlling vibration, along with jounce and rebound
of the suspension.

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.

Fig. 37 Stabilizer Bar Correctly Positioned In Cradle

1 - RAISED BEAD
2 - SWAY BAR
3 - WHEN INSTALLING SWAY BAR THE RAISED BEAD ON THE
SUSPENSION CRADLE MUST BE IN THE CENTER OF RADIUS
IN SWAY BAR
4 - FRONT SUSPENSION CRADLE

FRONT SUSPENSION

2 - 19

STABILIZER BAR (Continued)

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 a
stream 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

INSTALLED

VEHICLE,

BEFORE

STRUT

ASSEMBLY SPRING IS COMPRESSED.

(1) Raise the vehicle. See Hoisting in Lubrication

and Maintenance.

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)

Fig. 39 Strut Assembly Leakage Inspection (Typical)

1 - DUST BOOT
2 - STRUT SHAFT
3 - STRUT FLUID RESERVOIR
4 - INSPECT THIS AREA FOR EVIDENCE OF EXCESSIVE FLUID
LEAKAGE

2 - 20

FRONT SUSPENSION

STRUT (Continued)

(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).

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. 41).

(5) Remove the stabilizer bar link from the bracket

on the strut assembly (Fig. 41). 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 the stud out of the
bracket.

CAUTION: The steering knuckle to strut assembly
attaching bolts are serrated and must not be turned
during removal. Remove nuts while holding bolts
stationary in the steering knuckles.

(6) Remove the 2 strut assembly clevis bracket to

steering knuckle attaching bolts (Fig. 42).

(7) Remove the 3 nuts attaching the strut assem-

bly upper mount to the strut tower (Fig. 43) and
remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.

(8) To disassemble the strut assembly, (Refer to 2 -

SUSPENSION/FRONT/STRUT - DISASSEMBLY).

DISASSEMBLY - STRUT ASSEMBLY

The strut assembly must be removed from the

vehicle for it to be disassembled and assembled.

For the disassembly and assembly of the strut

assembly, use of Strut Spring Compressor, Pentastar
Service Equipment (PSE) tool W-7200, or the equiva-
lent, is recommended to compress the coil spring.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely.

Fig. 40 Brake Hose And Speed Sensor Cable

Routing

1 - STRUT DAMPER
2 - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CABLE
3 - ROUTING BRACKET
4 - HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE
5 - ATTACHING BOLT
6 - ROUTING BRACKET

Fig. 41 Stabilizer Bar Link To Strut Attachment

1 - NUT
2 - STRUT
3 - STABILIZER BAR LINK

Fig. 42 Strut Damper Attachment To Steering

Knuckle

1 - STRUT CLEVIS BRACKET
2 - ATTACHING BOLTS
3 - TIE ROD END
4 - ROTOR
5 - STEERING KNUCKLE

FRONT SUSPENSION

2 - 21

STRUT (Continued)

WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE STRUT SHAFT
NUT BEFORE THE COIL SPRING IS COMPRESSED.
THE COIL SPRING IS HELD UNDER PRESSURE
AND MUST BE COMPRESSED, REMOVING SPRING
TENSION FROM THE UPPER MOUNT AND PIVOT
BEARING, BEFORE THE SHAFT NUT IS REMOVED.

(1) Position the strut assembly in the strut coil

spring

compressor

following

the

manufacturers

instructions. Position the lower hooks on the coil
spring first. The strut clevis bracket should be posi-
tioned straight outward from the compressor.

(2) Turn the upper mount of the strut assembly

toward the inside of the compressor as shown to
allow positioning of the compressor upper hooks (Fig.
44). Position the upper hooks on top of the coil spring
upper seat approximately 1 inch from outside diame-
ter of seat (Fig. 47). Do not allow hooks to be
placed closer to edge. Place a clamp on the lower
end of the coil spring, so the strut is held in place
once the strut shaft nut is removed.

(3) Compress the coil spring until all coil spring

tension is removed from the upper mount.

(4) Install Strut Nut Socket, Special Tool 6864, on

the strut shaft retaining nut (Fig. 45). Next, install a
10 mm socket on the hex on the end of the strut
shaft. While holding the strut shaft from turning,
remove the nut from the strut shaft.

(5) Remove the upper mount from the strut shaft.
(6) If the pivot bearing needs to be serviced,

remove it from the top of the coil spring upper seat
by pulling it straight up.

(7) Remove the clamp from the bottom of the coil

spring and remove the strut out through the bottom
of the coil spring.

NOTE: If the coil spring or upper spring seat needs
to be serviced, proceed with the next step, other-
wise, proceed with step 10.

(8) Release the tension from the coil spring by

backing off the compressor drive fully. Push back the
compressor upper hooks and remove the upper spring
seat with upper spring isolator.

(9) Remove the coil spring from the spring com-

pressor.

Fig. 43 Strut Assembly To Strut Tower Attaching

Nuts (Typical)

1 - WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE
2 - STRUT TOWER
3 - STRUT MOUNT ATTACHING BOLTS
4 - UPPER STRUT MOUNT

Fig. 44 Mount Rotated And Hooks Positioned

1 - UPPER MOUNT TURNED TOWARD COMPRESSOR
2 - COMPRESSOR UPPER HOOKS
3 - UPPER SPRING SEAT

Fig. 45 Retaining Nut Removal/Installation (Typical)

1 - UPPER MOUNT
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 6864

2 - 22

FRONT SUSPENSION

STRUT (Continued)

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