DESCRIPTION
The lower ball joint is not serviced separately from the control arm on this vehicle.
If it is determined from the Diagnosis and Testing procedure that the ball joint is out of specification, the entire lower control arm must be replaced.
The knuckle (1) is a single casting with legs machined for attachment to the front strut assembly on the top, lower control arm ball joint on the bottom, and steering linkage on the trailing end. The knuckle also has two machined, drilled and tapped legs on the leading end casting to support and align the front disc brake caliper adapter.
The knuckle supports the wheel bearing (5) and hub (3). The hub is pressed into a sealed-for-life wheel bearing that is pressed into the knuckle. A snap ring also holds the bearing in place. A shield is pressed onto the knuckle behind the hub.
A Macpherson type design strut assembly is used in place of the front suspension upper control arm and upper ball joint. The bottom of the strut mounts directly to the steering knuckle using two attaching bolts and nuts going through the strut clevis bracket and knuckle. The top of the strut mounts directly to the strut tower of the vehicle using the three threaded studs on the strut assembly's upper mount.
Scheme 1
The strut assembly includes the following components
- Upper mount (rubber isolated) (2)
- Bearing (3)
- Upper spring seat and isolator (4)
- Coil spring (5)
- Dust shield and jounce bumper (6)
- Lower spring isolator (7)
- Strut (damper) (8)
Each component is serviced by removing the strut assembly from the vehicle and disassembling it.
Coil springs are rated separately for each corner or side of the vehicle depending on optional equipment and type of vehicle service. If a coil spring requires replacement, be sure that it is replaced with a spring meeting the correct load rating for the vehicle and its specific options.
OPERATION
The strut assembly cushions the ride of the vehicle, controlling vibration, jounce and rebound of the suspension.
The coil spring controls ride quality and maintains proper ride height.
The spring isolators isolate the coil spring at the top and bottom from coming into metal-to-metal contact with the upper mounting seat and the strut.
The jounce bumper limits suspension travel and metal-to-metal contact under full jounce condition.
The strut dampens jounce and rebound motions of the coil spring and suspension.
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 Chrysler Corporation's wheel alignment specifications differ.
On this vehicle, the suspension angles that can be adjusted are as follows
Front
- Camber (with cradle shift or service adjustment bolt package)
- Caster (limited adjustment with cradle shift)
- Toe
Rear
- 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 Curb Height Measurement in this Service Information for additional information.
Typical wheel alignment angles and measurements are described in the following paragraphs.
Scheme 2
| 1 - WHEELS TILTED OUT AT TOP |
|---|
| 2 - WHEELS TILTED IN AT TOP |
Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the top of the tire and wheel assembly. Inward tilt (2) is known as negative camber. Outward tilt (1) is known as positive camber. Camber is measured in degrees of angle relative to a true vertical line. Camber is a tire wearing angle.
- Excessive negative camber will cause tread wear at the inside of the tire.
- Excessive positive camber will cause tread wear on the outside of the tire.