Suspension System: Overview Dodge Dakota III

Scheme 14

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.

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

1. CASTER (1) is the forward or rearward tilt of the steering knuckle from vertical. Tilting the top of the knuckle forward provides less positive caster. Tilting the top of the knuckle rearward provides more positive caster. Positive caster promotes directional stability. This angle enables the front wheels to return to a straight ahead position after turns.
2. CAMBER (2) 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.
3. TOE (4) 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.
4. THRUST ANGLE (3) 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. Off-center steering, lead or pull and Minimal adjustment (clearance between spring seat hole and leaf spring pin) can be made by loosening the U-Bolts and moving one side forward and the other rearward. All damaged component(s) must be replaced to correct the thrust angle.

DESCRIPTION

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.

Scheme 15

Scheme 16

1. Remove the lower control arm (6) «(Refer to REMOVAL)»(ref-247604-S29393480412007020100000) .
2. Secure the control arm in a vise. NOTE: Extreme pressure lubrication must be used on the threaded portions of the tool. This will increase the longevity of the tool and insure proper operation during the removal and installation process.
3. Install special tools C-4212-F (press) (1), 9334-5 (Receiver) (2), 9603-3 (Driver) (5) to press the bushing out of the lower control arm.

Scheme 17

Scheme 18

1. Remove the upper control arm (4) «(Refer to REMOVAL)»(ref-247604-S03848844352007020100000) .
2. Secure the control arm in a vise (7). NOTE: Extreme pressure lubrication must be used on the threaded portions of the tool. This will increase the longevity of the tool and insure proper operation during the removal and installation process.
3. Install special tools C-4212-F (press) (6), 6761 (Receiver) (1), 9601-2 (Reaction Plate) (2), 9601-1 (Driver) (5) to press the bushing (3) out of the upper control arm (4).

Scheme 19

1. Remove the shock «(Refer to REMOVAL)»(ref-247604-S28014619202007020100000) . NOTE: Extreme pressure lubrication must be used on the threaded portions of the tool. This will increase the longevity of the tool and insure proper operation during the removal and installation process.
2. Install special tools to press the bushing (3) out of the lower control arm (4) using special tools C-4212-F (Press) (1), 9653-1 (driver) (4) and 9602 (Receiver) (5).

Scheme 20

1. Install the new bushing (4) into the lower control arm (3) using tools C-4212-F (Press) (1), 9603-2 (Depth Gauge) (2), 9603-1 (Driver) (5). 1 - UPPER CONTROL ARM 2 - UPPER BOLT 3 - LOWER BOLT 4 - WASHER 5 - NUT 6 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
2. Remove the control arm from the vise.
3. Install the lower control arm (6) «(Refer to INSTALLATION)»(ref-247604-S21299960622007020100000) .
4. Reset the vehicle ride height «(Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE)»(ref-247604-S32795312152007020100000) .
5. Perform a wheel alignment «(Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE)»(ref-247604-S32795312152007020100000) .

Scheme 21

1. Install the new bushing (2) into the lower control (3) arm using tools C-4212-F (Press) (5), 9601-3 (Depth Gauge) (4), 9601-4 (Driver) (1).
2. Remove the control arm from the vise (6).
3. Install the upper control arm (4) «(Refer to INSTALLATION)»(ref-247604-S21798158522007020100000) .
4. Reset the vehicle ride height «(Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE)»(ref-247604-S32795312152007020100000) .
5. Perform a wheel alignment «(Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE)»(ref-247604-S32795312152007020100000) .

Scheme 22

Note. Extreme pressure lubrication must be used on the threaded portions of the tool. This will increase the longevity of the tool and insure proper operation during the removal and installation process.

1. Install the new shock bushing (3) into the lower control arm (3) using tools C-4212-F (Press) (1), 9653-3 (driver) (5), 9602-2 (Depth gauge) (2) the depth gauge will automatically set the depth of the bushing (4) in the control arm (3).
2. Install the shock «(Refer to INSTALLATION)»(ref-247604-S36907880162007020100000) .

Scheme 23

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the brake caliper and rotor «(Refer to REMOVAL)»(ref-247605-S26868217022007020100000) .
4. Remove the ABS wheel speed sensor if equipped, «(Refer to REMOVAL)»(ref-247606-S40432789072007020100000) .
5. Remove the halfshaft nut 4X4 only . NOTE: Do not strike the knuckle with a hammer to remove the tie rod end or the ball joint. Damage to the steering knuckle will occur. 1 - HUB/BEARING 2 - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRE 3 - HUB/BEARING BOLT 4 - KNUCKLE 5 - DUST SHIELD
6. Pull down on the steering knuckle to separate the halfshaft from the hub/bearing. 4X4 only
7. Remove the three hub/bearing mounting bolts (3) from the steering knuckle (4).
8. Slide the hub/bearing (1) out of the steering knuckle (4).
9. Remove the brake dust shield (5).

The knuckle is a single casting with legs machined for the upper and lower ball joints. The knuckle also has machined mounting locations for the front brake calipers and hub bearing.

The steering knuckle pivot between the upper and lower ball joint. Steering linkage attached to the knuckle allows the vehicle to be steered.

Scheme 24

Scheme 25

Scheme 26

Scheme 27

Scheme 28

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the brake caliper, rotor, shield and ABS wheel speed sensor if equipped «(Refer to REMOVAL)»(ref-247605-S26868217022007020100000) or «(Refer to REMOVAL)»(ref-247606-S40432789072007020100000) .
4. Remove the front halfshaft nut 4X4 only .
5. Remove the tie rod end nut (1).
6. Separate the tie rod (2) from the knuckle with Remover C-3894-A (1). CAUTION: When installing Remover 8677 to separate the ball joint, be careful not to damage the ball joint seal. 1 - UPPER BALL JOINT NUT 2 - UPPER BALL JOINT 3 - UPPER CONTROL ARM 4 - LOWER CONTROL ARM 5 - LOWER BALL JOINT 6 - LOWER BALL JOINT NUT 7 - KNUCKLE
7. Remove the upper ball joint nut (1).
8. Separate the ball joint (1) from the knuckle (3) with Remover 8677 (2).
9. Install an hydraulic jack to support the lower control arm. 1 - UPPER BALL JOINT NUT 2 - UPPER BALL JOINT 3 - UPPER CONTROL ARM 4 - LOWER CONTROL ARM 5 - LOWER BALL JOINT 6 - LOWER BALL JOINT NUT 7 - KNUCKLE
10. Remove the lower ball joint nut (6).
11. Separate the ball joint (3) from the knuckle (1) with Remover 8677 (2) and remove the knuckle (1).
12. Remove the hub/bearing bolts (2) from the knuckle (1).
13. Remove the hub/bearing from the steering knuckle (1) «(Refer to REMOVAL)»(ref-247604-S20287387402007020100000) .
14. Remove the steering knuckle (1).

Scheme 29

1. Install the hub/bearing to the steering knuckle and tighten the bolts (1) to 163 N.m (120 ft. lbs.). 1 - UPPER BALL JOINT NUT 2 - UPPER BALL JOINT 3 - UPPER CONTROL ARM 4 - LOWER CONTROL ARM 5 - LOWER BALL JOINT 6 - LOWER BALL JOINT NUT 7 - KNUCKLE
2. Install the knuckle (7) onto the upper (2) and lower ball joints (5).
3. Install the upper (1) and lower ball joint nuts (6). Tighten the nut to 75 N.m (55 ft. lbs.).
4. Remove the hydraulic jack from the lower control arm (4).
5. Install the tie rod end (2) and tighten the nut (1) to 75 N.m (55 ft. lbs.).
6. Install the front halfshaft (2) into the hub/bearing 4X4 only .
7. Install the halfshaft nut and tighten to 251 N.m (185 ft. lbs.) 4X4 only .
8. Install the ABS wheel speed sensor if equipped and brake shield, rotor and caliper «(Refer to INSTALLATION)»(ref-247606-S27549550752007020100000) and «(Refer to INSTALLATION)»(ref-247605-S16342950072007020100000) .
9. Install the wheel and tire assembly «(Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE)»(ref-247607-S28535931232007020100000) .
10. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
11. Perform a wheel alignment «(Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE)»(ref-247604-S32795312152007020100000) .

The bar extends across the front underside of the chassis and connects to the frame crossmember. The ends of the bar mount to the lower suspension arm. All mounting points of the stabilizer bar are isolated by bushings.

The stabilizer bar is used to minimize vehicle front sway during turns. The bar helps to maintain a flat attitude to the road surface.

Scheme 30

1. Remove the stabilizer link (1) upper nut and remove the retainers and grommets «(Refer to REMOVAL)»(ref-247604-S33375031642007020100000) .
2. Remove the stabilizer bar retainer bolts (2) also remove the retainers from the frame sway bar and remove the bar (3).
3. If necessary, remove the bushings from the stabilizer bar.

Scheme 31

1. If removed, install the bushings on the stabilizer bar.
2. Position the stabilizer bar (1) on the frame crossmember brackets and install the bracket (3) and bolts (2) finger-tight. NOTE: Check the alignment of the bar to ensure there is no interference with the either frame rail or chassis component. Spacing should be equal on both sides.
3. Install the stabilizer bar (1) to the stabilizer link and install the grommets and retainers.
4. Install the nuts (6) to the stabilizer link and tighten to 169 N.m (125 ft. lbs.) «(Refer to INSTALLATION)»(ref-247604-S28472624892007020100000) .
5. Tighten the bracket bolts (2) to the frame to 61 N.m (45 ft. lbs.).

The stabilizer bar extends across the underside of the vehicle and is bolted to the of the axle. The links are bolted at the end of the bar and also bolted to the frame.

The stabilizer bar is used to minimize vehicle body sway. The spring steel bar helps to control the vehicle body in relationship to the suspension.

Scheme 32

1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove nuts and bolts from the links (3) at the stabilizer bar (6).
3. Remove stabilizer bar retainer bolts (3) and retainers (2).
4. Remove stabilizer bar (1) and replace worn, cracked or distorted bushings (4).