CHECKING PROCEDURE
Note. Information on vehicles not listed was not available from manufacturer.
1999 Caravan, Town & Country, & Voyager
Before adjusting alignment, check riding height. Measure height from inboard edge of fenderwell directly above center of wheel, unless specified otherwise. Riding height must be checked with vehicle on level floor, correct size tires properly inflated and fuel tank full. Bounce vehicle several times and allow suspension to settle.
Visually inspect vehicle for signs of abnormal height from front-to-rear and side-to-side. Check passenger and luggage compartments for extra-heavy items and remove if present. Riding height between left side and right side of vehicle should vary less than 0.5 (12.7 mm). Information on riding height between front and rear is not available from manufacturer. See RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS (1999 CARAVAN, TOWN & COUNTRY, & VOYAGER) table. If riding height is not within specification, check, repair or replace suspension components.
| Application | Front - In. (mm) | Rear - In. (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Engine With 14" & 15" Wheels (1) | 29.04-29.82 (737.5-757.5) | 29.76-30.54 (756.0-776.0) |
| Gas Engine With 15", 16" & 17" Wheels (2) | 29.27-30.05 (743.5-765.5) | 30.0-30.78 (762.0-782.0) |
| CNG & Electric Vehicles | 30.46-31.24 (783.5-803.5) | 31.2-31.98 (792.5-812.5) |
| (1) With tire sizes P205/75R 15 and P215/65R 15. (2) With tire sizes P215/70R 15, P215/65R 16 and 215/65R 17. | ||
| (1) | With tire sizes P205/75R 15 and P215/65R 15. |
| (2) | With tire sizes P215/70R 15, P215/65R 16 and 215/65R 17. |
RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS (1999 CARAVAN, TOWN & COUNTRY, & VOYAGER)
Dakota & Durango (4WD)
- Measure and record distance between floor surface and center of lower suspension arm rear mounting bolt head. Measure and record distance between floor surface and center of front wheel. (Scheme 1) Subtract first measurement from second measurement. On Dakota, difference between both measurements should be 1.725-1.975" (43.82-50.16 mm). On Durango, difference between both measurements should be 2.78-3.02" (70.6-76.7 mm).
- If necessary, adjust height differential to specification. Adjust each front suspension arm by rotating torsion bar anchor adjustment bolt clockwise to raise vehicle and counterclockwise to lower vehicle. Always raise vehicle to correct height. If vehicle height is greater than maximum specification, lower height to less than specification, then back up to specification. After each adjustment, jounce vehicle before measuring height to determine effects of adjustment.
Scheme 1
FLOOR JACK
| CAUTION | DO NOT place jack under any part of vehicle underbody. DO NOT attempt to raise one entire side of vehicle by placing a jack midway between front and rear wheels, as permanent body damage could occur. DO NOT place jack under an axle tube, aluminum differential, steering linkage, engine or transmission oil pan, fuel tank or front suspension arm. |
Caravan, Town & Country, & Voyager
To raise front end, place floor jack under front crossmember forward flange, inboard of lower control arm pivot. To raise rear end, place floor jack under rear axle, next to leaf spring mount. (Scheme 2)
Scheme 2
Dakota, Durango & Ram Pickup
- On 2WD models, center floor jack under inner edge of lower control arm pivot bolt mounting bracket to raise front end. To raise rear end, position jack under rear axle, next to leaf spring mount. (Scheme 3)
- On 4WD models, raise front end by placing floor jack under as shown. (Scheme 3)or (Scheme 4). To raise rear end, place floor jack under rear axle, next to leaf spring mount. Support vehicle with jackstands at front and rear ends of frame.
Scheme 3
Scheme 4
Ram Van/Wagon
To raise front end, place floor jack under center of front crossmember, inboard of lower control arm pivot. (Scheme 5) To raise rear end, place floor jack under rear axle, next to leaf spring "U" bolt mount.
Scheme 5
HOIST
| CAUTION | On Ram Van/Wagon, ensure there is adequate drive shaft clearance while raising vehicle. DO NOT raise vehicle by hoisting or jacking against front lower control arms. If rear axle, fuel tank, spare tire and liftgate will be removed for service, place additional weight on rear end of vehicle. This will prevent tipping as center of gravity changes. |
Caravan, Ram Van/Wagon, Town & Country, & Voyager
To raise vehicle on single and twin post type hoists, ensure hoist pads contact vehicle frame behind front control arm pivots and inside rear wheels on rear axle housing. Always use hoist adapters. (Scheme 2)or (Scheme 5).
Dakota & Ram Pickup
Vehicle may be raised on single or twin post swiveling arm, or ramp-type drive hoists. If using swiveling arm hoist, ensure lifting arms, pads or ramps are positioned evenly on frame rails, and adequate clearance is maintained for transfer case (4WD models) or skid plate. All hoists must be equipped with adapters to properly support vehicle. (Scheme 3)
- Caster is factory preset and cannot be adjusted. Camber is factory preset, but can be adjusted with a camber service kit. Raise and support vehicle. While holding lower strut attaching bolts stationary, loosen attaching nuts. (Scheme 6) Remove upper attaching nut and bolt. Install camber service kit attaching/adjusting bolt and nut. While holding bolt stationary, lightly tighten nut. Repeat procedure for lower attaching nut and bolt.
- Lower vehicle until vehicle weight is supported by suspension. Bounce vehicle several times and allow suspension to settle. Rotate new cam bolt to move top of wheel in or out to specified camber. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-1217-S04135766092000031300000) table. Tighten through-bolt nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-1217-S34773519292000031300000) table.
Scheme 6
Note. Moving rear of control arm changes caster significantly. Moving front of control arm changes camber significantly.
Scheme 7
Dakota, Durango & Ram Pickup (With Independent Front Suspension)
Loosen pivot bar attaching bolts, and move ends of upper control arm either in or out to obtain proper camber and caster angles. (Scheme 7) See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS table. Tighten pivot bar retaining bolts. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
Ram Pickup (Link/Coil Suspension)
Camber is factory set and is not adjustable. To adjust caster, rotate adjuster cam on lower control arm. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS table. (Scheme 8)
Scheme 8
- Use Adjuster (8199) for this procedure. (Scheme 9) Clamp tool onto upper control arm frame bracket using 2 clamp bolts. Tighten adjustment nut on each tool until bolts are snug against pivot bar. Loosen both upper control arm retaining bolts completely.
- To obtain proper camber and caster angles, tighten or loosen tool adjustment bolts on adjuster tool to move one or both ends of upper control arm. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-1217-S04135766092000031300000) table. Tighten pivot retaining bolts. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-1217-S34773519292000031300000) table.
Scheme 9
Except Ram Van/Wagon & 4WD Models
Center steering wheel and hold with steering wheel clamp. Loosen tie rod lock nuts. Rotate rods to set toe to specification. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS table. Tighten tie rod lock nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table. Adjust steering gear to tie rod boots at tie rod. Remove steering wheel clamp. (Scheme 10)
Ram Van/Wagon & 4WD Models
Center steering wheel and hold with steering wheel clamp. Loosen tie rod adjustment sleeve clamp bolts. Rotate adjustment sleeve to align toe to specification. See ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS table. Position sleeve clamps on underside of sleeve so clamp ends are not over sleeve slot, and tighten adjustment sleeve clamp bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table. Remove steering wheel clamp. (Scheme 11)
