Content .. 190 191 192 193 ..

Dodge Dakota (R1). Manual - part 192

INSTALLATION

(1) Position suspension arm pivot bar on mounting

bracket. Install bolts and tighten (temporarily) to 136
N·m (100 ft. lbs.).

(2) Insert

ball

joint

steering

knuckle

and

tighten ball joint nut to 81 N·m (60 ft. lbs.) then
install a new cotter pin.

(3) Install shock absorber. (Refer to 2 - SUSPEN-

SION/FRONT/SHOCK - INSTALLATION).

NOTE: Upper shock nut must be replaced or use
Mopar Lock ’N Seal or Loctite

242 on existing nut.

(4) Remove hydraulic jack.
(5) Attach brake hose brackets to suspension arm.
(6) Tighten upper suspension arm pivot bolts to

224 N·m (165 ft. lbs.).

(7) Install the wheel and tire assembly. (Refer to

22 - TIRES/WHEELS/WHEELS - STANDARD PRO-
CEDURE).

(8) Remove support and lower vehicle.
(9) Align front suspension. (Refer to 2 - SUSPEN-

SION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).

SHOCK

DESCRIPTION

The top of the low-pressure gas charged shock are

bolted to the frame. The bottom of the shock are
bolted to the lower suspension arm.

OPERATION

The shock absorbers dampen jounce and rebound

of the vehicle over various road conditions.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - SHOCK

A knocking or rattling noise from a shock absorber

may be caused by movement between mounting
bushings and metal brackets or attaching compo-
nents. These noises can usually be stopped by tight-
ening the attaching nuts. If the noise persists,
inspect for damaged and worn bushings, and attach-
ing components. Repair as necessary if any of these
conditions exist.

A squeaking noise from the shock absorber may be

caused by the hydraulic valving and may be intermit-
tent. This condition is not repairable and the shock
absorber must be replaced.

The shock absorbers are not refillable or adjust-

able. If a malfunction occurs, the shock absorber
must be replaced. To test a shock absorber, hold it in
an upright position and force the piston in and out of
the cylinder four or five times. The action throughout
each stroke should be smooth and even.

The shock absorber bushings do not require any

type of lubrication. Do not attempt to stop bushing
noise by lubricating them. Grease and mineral oil-
base lubricants will deteriorate the bushing.

REMOVAL

(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Remove the upper shock absorber nut, retainer

and grommet (Fig. 13) .

(3) Remove the lower bolt and remove the shock

absorber.

Fig. 11 Separate Upper Ball Joint

1 - UPPER BALL STUD
2 - REMOVER

Fig. 12 Upper Suspension Arm

1 - PIVOT BAR BOLT
2 - UPPER SUSPENSION ARM

2 - 22

FRONT - 4WD

UPPER CONTROL ARM (Continued)

INSTALLATION

NOTE: Upper shock nut must be replaced or use
Mopar Lock ’N Seal or Loctite

242 on existing nut.

(1) Install the lower retainer (lower retainer is

stamped with a L) and grommet on the shock
absorber stud. Insert the shock absorber through the
frame bracket hole.

(2) Install the lower bolt and tighten the bolt to

108 N·m (80 ft. lbs.).

(3) Install the upper grommet, retainer (upper

retainer is stamped with a U) and new nut or use
Mopar Lock ’N Seal or Loctite

t 242 on existing nut,

on the shock absorber stud. Tighten nut to 26 N·m
(19 ft. lbs.).

TORSION BAR

DESCRIPTION

The front of the bar mounts to the back side of the

lower suspension arm. The rear end of the bar is
mounted in a anchor that rests in the frame cross-
member.

OPERATION

The torsion bars are used to control ride height

and ride quality. The vehicle height is adjusted

through an anchor adjustment bolt that increases or
decreases the angle of the torsion bar. Increasing or
decreasing the bar angle changes the angle of the
suspension arms.

REMOVAL

CAUTION: The left and right side torsion bars are
NOT interchangeable. The bars are identified and
stamped R or L, for right or left. The bars do not
have a front or rear end and can be installed with
either end facing forward.

(1) Raise and support the vehicle with the front

suspension hanging.

(2) Turn the adjustment bolt counterclockwise to

release spring load (Fig. 14).

NOTE: Count and record the number of turns for
installation reference.

(3) Remove the adjustment bolt from swivel.
(4) Remove torsion bar and anchor. Remove anchor

from torsion bar.

(5) Remove all foreign material from torsion bar

mounting in anchor and suspension arm.

(6) Inspect adjustment bolt, bearing and swivel for

damage.

Fig. 13 Shock Absorber

1 - NUT
2 - RETAINER
3 - GROMMET
4 - SHOCK

Fig. 14 Torsion Bar

1 - SWIVEL
2 - ANCHOR
3 - BEARING
4 - ADJUSTMENT BOLT
5 - TORSION BAR
6 - LOWER SUSPENSION ARM

FRONT - 4WD

2 - 23

SHOCK (Continued)

INSTALLATION

(1) Insert torsion bar ends into anchor and suspen-

sion arm.

(2) Position anchor and bearing in frame cross-

member. Install adjustment bolt through bearing,
anchor and into the swivel.

(3) Turn adjustment bolt clockwise the recorded

amount of turns.

(4) Lower vehicle and adjust the front suspension

height. (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGN-
MENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).

BUSHINGS - CONTROL ARM

REMOVAL

(1) Remove the control arm from the vehicle.

(Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/UPPER CON-
TROL ARM - REMOVAL),(Refer to 2 - SUSPEN-
SION/FRONT/LOWER

CONTROL

ARM

REMOVAL).

(2) Mount the control arm securely in a vise.
(3) Remove the nut and washer from the control

arm shaft.

(4) Install the bushing tool.
(5) Press out the old bushings.

INSTALLATION

(1) Install the bushing in the control arm and

inserted over the shaft.

(2) Install the bushing tool.
(3) Press the bushing into the control arm.
(4) Install the washer and nut to the control arm

shaft. Torque the nut to 167 N·m (130 ft. lbs.) speci-
fication.

(5) Remove the control arm from the vise.
(6) Install the control arm in the vehicle. (Refer to

2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/UPPER CONTROL ARM -
INSTALLATION),

(Refer

SUSPENSION/

FRONT/LOWER

CONTROL ARM

INSTALLA-

TION).

2 - 24

FRONT - 4WD

TORSION BAR (Continued)

REAR

TABLE OF CONTENTS

page

REAR

DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

SPRING AND SHOCK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

SHOCK

DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
OPERATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

SPRING

DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
OPERATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

STABILIZER BAR

DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
OPERATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

REAR

DESCRIPTION

The rear suspension is comprised of:
• Drive Axle

• Shock Absorbers

• Stabilizer Bar (optional)

• Leaf Springs

CAUTION: A vehicle should always be loaded so
the vehicle weight center-line is located immedi-
ately forward of the rear axle. Correct vehicle load-
ing provides proper front tire-to-road contact. This
results in maximum vehicle handling stability and
safety. Incorrect vehicle weight distribution can
cause excessive tire tread wear, spring fatigue or
failure, and erratic steering.

CAUTION: Suspension components with rubber/ure-
thane bushings should be tightened with the vehi-
cle at normal ride height. It is important to have the
springs supporting the weight of the vehicle when
the fasteners are torqued. This will maintain vehicle
ride comfort and prevent premature bushing wear.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - SPRING AND
SHOCK

A knocking or rattling noise from a shock absorber

A squeaking noise from the shock absorber may be

caused by the hydraulic valving and may be intermit-
tent. This condition is not repairable and the shock
absorber must be replaced.

The shock absorbers are not refillable or adjust-

The spring eye and shock absorber bushings do not

require any type of lubrication. Do not attempt to
stop spring bushing noise by lubricating them.
Grease and mineral oil-base lubricants will deterio-
rate the bushing rubber.

If the vehicle is used for severe, off-road operation,

the springs should be examined periodically. Check
for broken and shifted leafs, loose and missing clips,
and broken center bolts. Refer to Spring and Shock
Absorber Diagnosis chart below for additional infor-
mation.

REAR

2 - 25

Content .. 190 191 192 193 ..