Suspension System: Overview Chrysler Pacifica CS

DESCRIPTION

This vehicle is equipped with a MacPherson Strut type front suspension. The front suspension consists of the following major components

1. Hub And Bearing
2. Knuckle
3. Lower Control Arm
4. Stabilizer Bar
5. Strut Assembly

The steering knuckle is a single aluminum casting with legs machined for attachment of the strut assembly, steering linkage, disc brake caliper adapter, lower control arm ball joint and steering linkage. The hub and bearing assembly is mounted in the center of the steering knuckle using 4 bolts. The driveshaft's constant velocity (C/V) stub shaft is splined through the center of the hub and bearing and is held in place using a nut, nut lock and cotter pin.

Service replacement of the front hub and bearing assembly can be done with the steering knuckle remaining on the vehicle.

Scheme 6

Scheme 7

Scheme 8

Scheme 9

Scheme 10

1. Raise and support vehicle. «(Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCEDURE)»(ref-245418-S28339325062006110200000)
2. Remove wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove cotter pin, nut lock and spring washer from end of halfshaft stub shaft and hub nut. see scheme 4
4. With aid of a helper applying brakes to keep front hub from turning, remove hub nut. see scheme 4
5. Access and remove front brake rotor. «(Refer to BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTOR - REMOVAL)»(ref-245442-S27910202192006110200000)
6. Disconnect vehicle wiring harness from wheel speed sensor connector. see scheme 5
7. Unclip wheel speed sensor connector and routing clip from frame rail outer reinforcement. see scheme 5
8. Remove screw fastening wheel speed sensor routing bracket to strut assembly. see scheme 6
9. Open routing clip at knuckle and remove wheel speed sensor cable. see scheme 7
10. Push in on end of halfshaft stub shaft, pushing its splines out of hub splines.
11. Remove nut attaching outer tie rod to steering knuckle by holding outer tie rod stud stationary while loosening and removing nut with a wrench. (Scheme 6) 1 - STEERING KNUCKLE 2 - JAM NUT (TIE ROD ADJUSTMENT) 3 - INNER TIE ROD SERRATIONS 4 - OUTER TIE ROD 5 - NUT
12. Remove tie rod from steering knuckle using Remover, Special Tool C-3894-A. (Scheme 7) 1 - PULLER C-3894-A 2 - OUTER TIE ROD 3 - STEERING KNUCKLE 4 - TIE ROD STUD
13. Remove two bolts attaching strut clevis to steering knuckle. (Scheme 8)and (Scheme 9). 1 - STRUT 2 - BOLT 3 - NUT 1 - STRUT 2 - BOLT 3 - NUT
14. Tip knuckle outward at top and remove halfshaft stub shaft from hub and bearing. Suspend driveshaft straight outward using a bungee cord or wire. Do not allow driveshaft to hang by inner joint.
15. Remove ball joint nut using a power impact wrench. Because tapered stud is held sufficiently in knuckle at this time, it is not necessary to hold stud stationary to remove nut.
16. Reinstall ball joint nut until top of nut is even with top of ball joint stud. This action will keep stud from distorting while stud is released from knuckle in following step. CAUTION: Do not remove ball joint stud from steering knuckle using a hammer. Damage to Aluminum knuckle, ball joint or control arm will result. NOTE: Lubricate Remover, Special Tool C-4150A, screw-drive threads before use to ease use and promote tool longevity.
17. Place Remover, Special Tool C-4150A, over ball joint stud and nut as shown in the illustration. (Scheme 10) Release ball joint stud from steering knuckle by tightening tool screw-drive. To ease Remover installation and use, it may help to rotate knuckle around so inside of knuckle faces outward. 1 - ALUMINUM KNUCKLE 2 - SPECIAL TOOL C-4150A 3 - LOWER CONTROL ARM 4 - NUT INSTALLED ON BALL JOINT STEM
18. Remove tool and nut from top of ball joint stud.
19. Remove steering knuckle from vehicle.
20. If hub and bearing needs to be transferred, remove four bolts attaching hub and bearing to knuckle, then remove hub and bearing.

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. (Scheme 11)

Scheme 11

Each component is serviced by removing the strut assembly from the vehicle and disassembling it.

Left and right springs must not be interchanged. Coil springs are rated separately for each corner or side of the vehicle depending on optional equipment and type of vehicle service. If the coil springs require replacement, be sure that the springs are replaced with springs meeting the correct load rating and spring rate for the vehicle and its specific options.

This vehicle utilizes a five-link rear suspension including the following major components. (Scheme 12)

1. Camber Link
2. Compression Link
3. Spring Link
4. Tension Link
5. Toe Link
6. Coil Spring
7. Crossmember
8. Hub And Bearing
9. Knuckle
10. Shock Absorber (Load-Leveling)
11. Stabilizer Bar

Scheme 12

The knuckle, camber link, compression link and tension link are aluminum castings. Extra care needs to be taken when servicing these components.

Service Procedures for the crossmember can be found in Frame And Bumpers. (Refer to FRAME & BUMPERS/FRAME/REAR CROSSMEMBER - REMOVAL)

DESCRIPTION - WHEEL ALIGNMENT

Vehicle wheel alignment is the positioning of all interrelated front and rear suspension angles. These angles affect the handling and steering of the vehicle when it is in motion. Proper wheel alignment is essential for efficient steering, good directional stability, and proper tire wear.

The method of checking a vehicle's front and rear wheel alignment varies depending on the manufacturer and type of equipment used. The manufacturer's instructions should always be followed to ensure accuracy of the alignment, except when DaimlerChrysler Corporation's wheel alignment specifications differ.

On this vehicle, the suspension angles that can be adjusted are as follows

FRONT

1. Camber (with camber bolt package and standard procedure)
2. Toe

REAR

1. Toe

Check the wheel alignment and make all wheel alignment adjustments with the vehicle standing at its proper curb height specification. Curb height is the normal riding height of the vehicle. It is measured from a certain point on the vehicle to the ground or a designated area while the vehicle is sitting on a flat, level surface. Refer to (Refer to SUSPENSION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCEDURE - CURB HEIGHT MEASUREMENT) for additional information.

Typical wheel alignment angles and measurements are described in the following paragraphs.