Front Suspension: Removal & Installation Dodge Stratus I

Installation

1. Install hub and bearing assembly into steering knuckle. Tighten 3 steering knuckle-to-hub and bearing assembly bolts to specification in a crisscross pattern. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-52714-S34595302912001011600000) table. Slide axle shaft through hub/bearing assembly. Install steering knuckle with hub/bearing assembly onto lower control arm ball joint stud.
2. Install lower ball joint-to-steering knuckle retaining nut. Position upper ball joint stud into steering knuckle and install retaining nut. Tighten upper and lower ball joint retaining nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-52714-S34595302912001011600000) table. Install speed sensor cable routing bracket (if equipped with ABS).
3. Install tie rod end onto steering knuckle arm and tighten nut to specification. Install NEW cotter pins. Install brake rotor. Install brake caliper. Install caliper mounting bolts and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.
4. Install washer and hub nut and tighten to specification (with brakes applied). Install spring washer, nut lock and NEW cotter pin. Install wheel. Check and adjust front end alignment as necessary.

1. Position lower control arm into crossmember. Install front and rear pivot bolts into crossmember. DO NOT tighten front pivot bolt at this time. Tighten rear pivot bolt to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-52714-S34595302912001011600000) table.
2. Install ball joint stud into steering knuckle. Install ball joint stud-to-steering knuckle retaining nut and tighten to specification. Install NEW cotter pin. Position stabilizer bar link into control arm. Position stabilizer bar-to-crossmember retaining bracket.
3. Install retainer bolts and tighten to specification. Install stabilizer bar link-to-control arm retaining nut. Insert Allen Wrench into end of stabilizer bar link, to prevent stabilizer bar link from rotating. see scheme 3 Tighten nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-52714-S34595302912001011600000) table. Position strut clevis on control arm and install through-bolt finger tight. CAUTION: When supporting lower control arm with jackstand, DO NOT position jackstand under ball joint cap.
4. Lower vehicle until lower control arm is supporting vehicle weight, and control arm is at design height. (Scheme 1) Tighten strut clevis-to-control arm through-bolt. Tighten front pivot bolt to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-52714-S34595302912001011600000) table. Check and adjust front end alignment as necessary.

Scheme 1

Front Bushing Removal

Remove lower control arm. See LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT. Mount lower control arm in vise. Position Bushing Remover (6602-5) and Bushing Receiver (MB-990799) on Remover/Installer (C-4212-F). (Scheme 2) Position remover/installer squarely on control arm. Tighten remover/installer screw to press bushing from control arm.

Scheme 2

Position Bushing Driver (6876) and Bushing Installer (6758) on remover/installer. (Scheme 3) Start bushing into control arm by hand. Ensure bushing is installed in control arm from machined surface side. Position remover/installer on control arm mounted in vise. Tighten remover/installer screw until front bushing is flush with machined surface.

Scheme 3

Rear Bushing Removal

Remove lower control arm. See LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT. Mount lower control arm in vise. Install Bushing Remover (6756) and Bushing Receiver (C-4366-2) on Remover/Installer (C-4212-F). (Scheme 4) Position remover/installer squarely on control arm. Tighten remover/installer screw to press bushing from control arm.

Scheme 4

Position Bushing Installer (6760) and Spacer (6756) on remover/installer. (Scheme 5) Start bushing into control arm by hand. Ensure bushing is installed in control arm from machined surface side, with void in bushing facing away from ball joint. (Scheme 6) Position remover/installer squarely on control arm. Tighten remover/installer screw until bushing is flush with machined surface.

Scheme 5

Scheme 6

Clevis Bushing Removal

Remove lower control arm. See LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT. Mount lower control arm in vise. Position Bushing Remover (6877) and Bushing Receiver (6876) on Remover/Installer (C-4212-F). (Scheme 7) Position remover/installer squarely on control arm. Tighten remover/installer screw to press bushing from control arm.

Scheme 7

Position Bushing Installer (6877) and Bushing Receiver (6876) on Remover/Installer (C-4212-F). (Scheme 7) Start bushing into control arm by hand. Ensure bushing is installed in control arm from machined surface side. Position remover/installer squarely on control arm. Tighten remover/installer screw until bushing is flush with machined surface.

Removal

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove nut attaching stabilizer bar link-to-lower control arm. Insert Allen Wrench into end of stabilizer bar link, to prevent stabilizer bar link from rotating. see scheme 3 Remove bolts attaching stabilizer bar bushing retaining brackets.
2. Remove stabilizer bar from vehicle. Inspect for broken or distorted clamps and/or retainers. Inspect bushings for wear, deterioration or damage. Replace components as necessary.
3. If inner crossmember bushing replacement is required, bend back 4 crimped corners on bushing retaining brackets to separate brackets. Remove bushing by opening split in bushing.

Install new crossmember bushings on bar with slit facing front of vehicle when installed. Install bushing retaining brackets onto bushings. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts/nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel. Remove wheel speed sensor cable routing bracket from steering knuckle. Remove cotter pin and retaining nut attaching upper ball joint stud-to-steering knuckle.
2. Using Puller (C-3894-A), remove upper ball joint stud from steering knuckle. see scheme 2 Remove strut damper-to-strut clevis pinch bolt. Remove strut clevis-to-lower control arm through-bolt. Note location of locating tab in relation to clevis bracket for reassembly. Remove clevis bracket from strut damper with brass drift and hammer.
3. Remove 4 bolts attaching strut assembly/upper control arm mounting bracket-to-strut tower. Remove strut assembly/upper control arm mounting bracket from vehicle.

1. Install strut assembly into strut tower. Install and tighten retaining bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-52714-S34595302912001011600000) table. Install clevis bracket on strut. Install clevis bracket-to-control arm through-bolt finger tight. Position upper ball joint stud into steering knuckle. Install ball joint-to-steering knuckle retaining nut, and tighten to specification.
2. Install NEW cotter pin. Install speed control routing bracket. Lower vehicle until lower control arm is supporting vehicle weight, and control arm is at design height. (Scheme 1) Tighten strut clevis-to-lower control arm through-bolt to specification. Install wheel, and tighten lug nuts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-52714-S34595302912001011600000) table.

1. Remove strut assembly from vehicle. See «STRUT DAMPER ASSEMBLY»(ref-52714-S10064660332001011600000). Install strut clevis back onto strut damper. Clamp strut clevis bracket in vise. Compress coil spring with Spring Compressor (GP-2020-52.5).
2. Ensure first full top and bottom coil of coil spring is captured by spring compressor. Hold strut rod with Strut Socket (A136) and remove strut rod nut and washer. Remove upper strut mount/upper control arm assembly. Remove upper and lower bushings from upper strut mount, noting order and position for reassembly. see scheme 11 Remove bolts attaching upper control arm-to-upper strut mount. Installation

1. Position upper control arm onto mounting bracket. Install control arm mounting bolts with heads facing each other, and tighten to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-52714-S34595302912001011600000) table. Install upper and lower bushings into upper strut mount. Ensure upper and lower strut rod bushings are installed in correct positions and locations. see scheme 11
2. Install strut mount/upper control arm assembly, washer and rod nut. Using Strut Rod Socket (A136), tighten rod nut to specification before releasing spring compressor. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-52714-S34595302912001011600000) table. Remove spring compressor. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten remaining bolts/nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table.

Removal & Installation

See HUB/BEARING & STEERING KNUCKLE .