vehicle to adapt to different road surfaces and condi-
tions without affecting the control of the vehicle.
Each side of the front suspension is allowed to move
independently from the other. Both sides of the front

suspension are allowed to pivot so the vehicle can be
steered in the direction preferred. Steering of the
vehicle is provided through a rack and pinion steer-
ing gear that is connected to a fixed steering arm on
each front strut.

WARNING

WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE STRUT ASSEM-
BLY’S SHAFT NUT AT ANY TIME UNLESS THE COIL
SPRING

HAS

BEEN

PROPERLY

COMPRESSED

FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURE LISTED IN STRUT
ASSEMBLY DISASSEMBLY OR ASSEMBLY IN THIS
SECTION.

Fig. 1 Front Suspension

1 - STRUT ASSEMBLY
2 - STEERING KNUCKLE
3 - LOWER CONTROL ARM

4 - TENSION STRUT
5 - ENGINE CRADLE CROSSMEMBER
6 - STABILIZER BAR

2 - 2

FRONT SUSPENSION

CAUTION

CAUTION: Only frame contact hoisting equipment
can be used on this vehicle. All vehicles have a
fully independent rear suspension. The vehicles
cannot be hoisted using equipment designed to lift
a vehicle by the rear axle. If this type of hoisting
equipment is used, damage to rear suspension
components will occur.

CAUTION: If the vehicle is equipped with the Tire
Pressure Monitoring (TPM) System, the tire/wheel
assembly needs to be reinstalled in the same loca-
tion it is removed from or the TPM System (sen-
sors) will need to be retrained. Mark each tire/wheel
assembly indicating location, prior to its removal. If
the tire/wheel assemblies are switched, rotated or
replaced, the TPM System needs to be retrained.
(Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS/TIRE PRESSURE
MONITORING/SENSOR - STANDARD PROCEDURE)

CAUTION: At no time when servicing a vehicle, can
a sheet metal screw, bolt or other metal fastener be
installed in the shock tower to take the place of an
original plastic clip. Also, NO holes can be drilled
into the front shock tower in the area shown (Fig.
2), for the installation of any metal fasteners into
the shock tower. Because of the minimum clear-
ance in this area, installation of metal fasteners
could damage the coil spring coating and lead to a
corrosion failure of the spring.

SPECIFICATIONS

FRONT SUSPENSION FASTENER TORQUE

DESCRIPTION

N·m

Ft.

Lbs.

In.

Lbs.

Ball Joint Pinch Bolt Nut

—

Hub And Bearing Mounting
Bolts

110

—

Hub And Bearing Axle Hub
Nut

142

105

—

Lower Control Arm Pivot
Bolt

142

105

—

Stabilizer Bar Bushing
Retainer Bolts

—

Stabilizer Bar Link Lower
Nut

—

Stabilizer Bar Link Upper
Nut

—

Strut Body Tower Mounting
Nuts

—

Strut Clevis-to-Knuckle Nuts

203

150

—

Strut Shaft Nut

—

Tie Rod Adjuster Pinch Bolt

—

Tie Rod Steering Arm Nut

—

Tension Strut Mounting Nut

130

—

Wheel Mounting (Lug) Nuts

135

100

—

SPECIAL TOOLS

FRONT SUSPENSION

Fig. 2 Strut Tower To Coil Spring Minimum

Clearance Area (Typical)

1 - SHOCK TOWER
2 - COIL SPRING
3 - NO SHEET METAL SCREWS, BOLTS, OR ANY OTHER METAL
FASTENERS ARE TO BE INSTALLED INTO SHOCK TOWER IN
THIS AREA. ALSO, NO HOLES ARE TO BE DRILLED INTO
SHOCK TOWER IN THIS SAME AREA.

Remover/Installer Lower Control Arm Bushings

6644

FRONT SUSPENSION

2 - 3

FRONT SUSPENSION (Continued)

HUB / BEARING

DESCRIPTION

The front wheel bearing and front wheel hub of

this vehicle are a hub and bearing unit type assem-
bly. 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 and is
retained by three mounting bolts accessible from the
rear 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 and 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 (FRONT)

The front hub bearing is designed for the life of the

vehicle and requires no type of periodic maintenance.
The following procedure may be used for diagnosing
the condition of the front hub bearing.

With the wheel, disc brake caliper, and brake rotor

removed, rotate the wheel hub. Any roughness or
resistance to rotation may indicate dirt intrusion or a
failed hub bearing. If the hub bearing exhibits any of
these conditions during diagnosis, the hub and bear-
ing will require replacement. The bearing is not ser-
viceable.

Damaged bearing seals and the resulting excessive

grease loss may also require bearing replacement.
Moderate grease weapage from the hub bearing is
considered normal and should not require replace-
ment of the hub and bearing.

To check for excessive hub runout, (Refer to 5 -

BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).

REMOVAL - HUB AND BEARING (FRONT)

(1) Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a

frame contact hoist. See Hoisting in Lubrication and
Maintenance.

(2) Remove the front wheel and tire assembly from

the vehicle.

Socket/Wrench Front Strut Nut 6864

Puller C-3894A

Remover C-4150A

Installer MB-990799

2 - 4

FRONT SUSPENSION

FRONT SUSPENSION (Continued)

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