Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 916

2007 SUSPENSION

Suspension - Nitro 

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING 

SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM 

CONDITION 

POSSIBLE CAUSES 

CORRECTION 

FRONT END NOISE

1. Loose or worn wheel bearings.

1. Replace wheel bearings.

2. Loose or worn steering or 
suspension components.

2. Tighten or replace components as 
necessary.

EXCESSIVE PLAY IN 
STEERING

1. Loose or worn wheel bearings.

1. Replace wheel bearings.

2. Loose or worn steering or 
suspension components.

2. Tighten or replace components as 
necessary.

3. Loose or worn steering gear.

3. Adjust or replace steering gear.

FRONT WHEELS 
SHIMMY

1. Loose or worn wheel bearings.

1. Replace wheel bearings.

2. Loose or worn steering or 
suspension components.

2. Tighten or replace components as 
necessary.

3. Tires worn or out of balance.

3. Replace or balance tires.

4. Alignment.

4. Align vehicle to specifications.

VEHICLE INSTABILITY 1. Loose or worn wheel bearings.

1. Replace wheel bearings.

2. Loose or worn steering or 
suspension components.

2. Tighten or replace components as 
necessary.

3. Tire pressure.

3. Adjust tire pressure.

4. Alignment.

4. Align vehicle to specifications.

EXCESSIVE STEERING 
EFFORT

1. Loose or worn steering gear.

1. Adjust or replace steering gear.

2. Power steering fluid low.

2. Add fluid and repair leak.

3. Column coupler binding.

3. Replace coupler.

4. Tire pressure.

4. Adjust tire pressure.

5. Alignment.

5. Align vehicle to specifications.

VEHICLE PULLS TO 
ONE SIDE DURING 
BRAKING

1. Uneven tire pressure.

1. Adjust tire pressure.

2. Worn brake components.

2. Repair brakes as necessary.

3. Air in brake line.

3. Repair as necessary.

VEHICLE LEADS OR 
DRIFTS FROM 
STRAIGHT AHEAD 
DIRECTION ON 
UNCROWNED ROAD

1. Radial tire lead.

1. Cross front tires.

2. Brakes dragging.

2. Repair brake as necessary.

3. Weak or broken spring.

3. Replace spring.

4. Uneven tire pressure.

4. Adjust tire pressure.

5. Wheel Alignment.

5. Align vehicle.

6. Loose or worn steering or 
suspension components.

6. Repair as necessary.

7. Cross caster out of spec.

7. Align vehicle.

KNOCKING, RATTLING 1. Worn shock bushings.

1. Replace shock.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 SUSPENSION Suspension - Nitro

  

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 SUSPENSION Suspension - Nitro

  

WHEEL ALIGNMENT 

DESCRIPTION 

WHEEL ALIGNMENT 

OR SQUEAKING

2. Loose, worn or bent 
steering/suspension components.

2. Inspect, tighten or replace components 
as necessary.

3. Shock valve.

3. Replace shock.

IMPROPER TRACKING Loose, worn or bent 

steering/suspension components.

Inspect, tighten or replace components as 
necessary.

-

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NOTE:

Suspension components with rubber/urethane bushings should be tightened 
with the vehicle at normal ride height. It is important to have the springs 
supporting the weight of the vehicle when the fasteners are torqued. If springs 
are not at their normal ride position, vehicle ride comfort could be affected and 
premature bushing wear may occur.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 SUSPENSION Suspension - Nitro

  

Fig. 1: Wheel Alignment Measurements - Caster, Camber, Toe & Thrust Angle 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

Wheel alignment involves the correct positioning of the wheels in relation to the vehicle. The positioning is 
accomplished through suspension and steering linkage adjustments. An alignment is considered essential for 
efficient steering, good directional stability and to minimize tire wear. The most important measurements of an 
alignment are caster, camber and toe. 

OPERATION 

WHEEL ALIGNMENT 

CASTER is the forward or rearward tilt of the steering knuckle from vertical. Tilting the top of the 
knuckle forward provides negative caster. Tilting the top of the knuckle rearward provides positive caster. 
Positive caster promotes directional stability. This angle enables the front wheels to return to a straight 
ahead position after turns. See Fig. 1  

CAMBER is the inward or outward tilt of the wheel relative to the center of the vehicle. Tilting the top of 
the wheel inward provides negative camber. Tilting the top of the wheel outward provides positive 
camber. Incorrect camber will cause wear on the inside or outside edge of the tire. See Fig. 1  

TOE is the difference between the leading inside edges and trailing inside edges of the front tires. Wheel 
toe position out of specification cause's unstable steering, uneven tire wear and steering wheel off- center. 
The wheel toe position is the final front wheel alignment adjustment. See Fig. 1  

THRUST ANGLE is the angle of the rear axle relative to the centerline of the vehicle. Incorrect thrust 
angle can cause off-center steering and excessive tire wear. This angle is not adjustable, damaged 
component(s) must be replaced to correct the thrust angle. See Fig. 1  

STANDARD PROCEDURE 

HEIGHT MEASUREMENT 

CURB HEIGHT 

1 - FRONT OF VEHICLE
2 - STEERING AXIS INCLINATION
3 - PIVOT POINT
4 - TOE-IN

CAUTION: Never attempt to modify suspension or steering components by heating or 

bending.

NOTE:

Periodic lubrication of the front suspension/steering system components may 
be required. Rubber bushings must never be lubricated. Refer to LUBRICATION 
& MAINTENANCE for the recommended maintenance schedule.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 SUSPENSION Suspension - Nitro

  

The vehicle suspension height should be measured before performing wheel alignment procedure. Also when 
front suspension components have been replaced. This measure must be performed with the vehicle supporting 
it's own weight and taken on both sides of the vehicle. 

Front and rear curb heights are not adjustable. The spring selections at assembly determine curb height for 
acceptable appearance of the vehicle. Curb height dimensions assume full fluids (including fuel) and zero 
passengers. Refer to the table below for front curb height dimensions. 

Vehicle curb height audits should be performed utilizing the following procedure: 

1. Drive the vehicle straight and forward on a non-tacky surface for a minimum of 20 feet to neutralize track 

width.  

2. Bounce the front of the vehicle five times.  

3. Measure and record the dimensions 

Fig. 2: Front Curb Height 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

4. Front - On each side of the vehicle, measure the distance from the center of the front lower control arm 

bushing bolt (1) to the ground (3) Record the measurement . Next measure the distance from the spindle 
center (2) to the ground (3) Record the measurement.  

5. Take the two measurements and subtract them to get the curb height specification. 

NOTE:

The suspension is non-adjustable.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 SUSPENSION Suspension - Nitro