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Suspension System: Adjustments Dodge Dakota III

Suspension Front ~482 words

PRE-ALIGNMENT INSPECTION

Before starting wheel alignment, the following inspection and necessary corrections must be completed. Refer to SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS Chart below for additional information.

  1. Inspect tires for size, air pressure and tread wear.
  2. Inspect front wheel bearings for wear.
  3. Inspect front wheels for excessive radial or lateral runout and balance.
  4. Inspect ball studs, linkage pivot points and steering gear for looseness, roughness or binding.
  5. Check intermediate shaft for excessive looseness or binding.
  6. Inspect suspension components for wear and noise.
  7. Check suspension ride height, per the recommended procedure for variation side to side, in front and rear.
  8. Road test the vehicle.
CONDITIONPOSSIBLE CAUSESCORRECTION
FRONT END NOISE1. Loose or worn wheel bearing.1. Replace wheel bearing.
2. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.2. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
3. Loose body components.3. Tighten or replace body components as necessary
4. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.4. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING1. Loose or worn wheel bearing.1. Replace wheel bearing.
2. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.2. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
3. Loose or worn steering gear.3. Replace steering gear.
FRONT WHEELS SHIMMY1. Loose or worn wheel bearing.1. Replace wheel bearing.
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 INSTABILITY1. Loose or worn wheel bearing.1. Replace wheel bearing.
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 EFFORT1. Loose or worn steering gear.1. Replace steering gear.
2. Column coupler binding.2. Replace coupler.
3. Steering Pump3. Replace Pump
4. Tire pressure.4. Adjust tire pressure.
5. Alignment.5. Align vehicle to specifications.
VEHICLE PULLS TO ONE SIDE1. Tire pressure.1. Adjust tire pressure.
2. Tire.2. Criss-Cross Front Tires.
3. Alignment.3. Align vehicle to specifications.
4. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.4. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
5. Radial tire lead.5. Rotate or replace tire as necessary.
6. Brake pull.6. Repair brake as necessary.
7. Ride height.7. Measure and adjust ride height.

SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS

CAMBER, CASTER AND TOE ADJUSTMENT

Camber and caster angle adjustments involve changing the position of the lower control arm with the slots in the frame brackets to move the lower control arm inwards or outwards for proper adjustment. This can be achieved by using a socket on the head of the cam bolt and turning clockwise or counterclockwise to achieve the proper specification.

Note. Both front and rear lower control arm cam bolts are adjustable.

Note. Camber and caster adjustments must be made at the lower control arm. The upper control arm is not adjustable.

Note. When the lower control arm cam bolts are loosened the lower control arm will normally go outwards automatically with the weight of the vehicle.

TOE ADJUSTMENT

The wheel toe position adjustment is the final adjustment.

  1. Start the engine and turn wheels both ways before straightening the wheels. Secure the steering wheel with the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.
  2. Loosen the tie rod jam nuts (3). NOTE: Each front wheel should be adjusted for one-half of the total toe position specification. This will ensure the steering wheel will be centered when the wheels are positioned straight-ahead.
  3. Adjust the wheel toe position by turning the inner tie rod (4) as necessary.
  4. Tighten the tie rod jam nut (3) to 75 N.m (55 ft. lbs.).
  5. Verify the specifications.
  6. Turn off engine.

ALIGNMENT

Note. All alignment specifications are in degrees.

DESCRIPTIONSPECIFICATION
VEHICLEWHEEL BASECASTERCAMBERTOTAL TOE-IN
ALL131 in3.5 +/-.05°.25° +/-.50°.20° +/-.05°
MAX RT/LT DIFFERENCE.20° +/-.50°0° +/-.50°0.05° +/- 0.05°
DESCRIPTIONREAR SPECIFICATION
CAMBER (-.10° +/- 0.35°)TOTAL TOE-IN (0.30° +/- 0.35°)
THRUST ANGLE 0° +/- 0.4°

SPECIFICATIONS

The front suspension is designed to allow each wheel to adapt to different road surfaces independently. The wheels are mounted to hub/bearings units bolted to the steering knuckle. The double-row hub bearings are sealed and lubricated for life. The steering knuckles turn (pivot) on ball joints.

The front suspension is comprised of

  1. Shock absorbers
  2. Control arms
  3. Steering knuckles
  4. Stabilizer bar
  5. Stabilizer link
  6. Tie Rod Ends
  7. Hub/Bearing
  8. Rack & Pinion
  9. Ball Joints

Note. Components attached with a nut must be torqued to specification.

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.

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