Chrysler neon 1997 Service Manual page 1379

19 - 32 STEERING
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)
FRONT SUSPEN- SION MEMBER POSITIONING MARK CROSS-
LOWER CONTROL ARM/
CROSSMEMBER MOUNTING
BOLT
INSTALL
(1) Install steering gear assembly on front suspen-
sion crossmember. Install the 4 steering gear assem-
bly to front crossmember mounting bolts (Fig. 15).
Torque the 4 steering gear mounting bolts to 68 N·m
(50 ft. lbs.).
(2) Using the transmission jack, raise front sus-
pension crossmember and steering gear against body
and frame rails of vehicle. Start the 2 rear bolts into
tapping plates, attaching front suspension crossmem-
ber to body of vehicle (Fig. 13). Then install the 2
front bolts, attaching front suspension crossmember
to frame rails of vehicle (Fig. 13). Tighten the 4
mounting bolts, until front suspension crossmember
is against body of vehicle at the 4 mounting points.
Then torque the 4 mounting bolts to 2 N·m (20 in.
lbs.) to hold front suspension crossmember in posi-
tion.
CAUTION: When front suspension crossmember is
installed back in vehicle, crossmember MUST be
aligned with positioning marks previously scribbed
into body of vehicle (Fig. 16). This MUST be done to
maintain NET BUILD front suspension alignment
settings.
(3) Using a soft face hammer, tap front suspension
crossmember into position, until it is aligned with
the 2 previously scribbed positioning marks on body
of vehicle (Fig. 16). When front suspension cross-
member is correctly positioned, torque the 2 rear
crossmember/lower control arm mounting bolts to
163 N·m (120 ft. lbs.). Then torque the 2 front cross-
member to frame rail attaching bolts to 163 N·m (120
ft. lbs.) (Fig. 13).
Fig. 16 Crossmember Aligned With Positioning
(4) If vehicle is equipped with power steering,
install power steering fluid pressure and return
hoses into correct fluid ports on power steering gear
FRONT LOWER CROSSMEMBER SUSPENSION
Marks
TORQUE W RENCH
CONTROL ARM
assembly (Fig. 10). Torque power steering fluid pres-
sure and return lines to steering gear tube nuts (Fig.
10) to 31 N·m (275 in. lbs.).
(5) If vehicle is equipped with power steering,
install power steering pressure and return hose rout-
ing bracket and attaching screw on front suspension
crossmember (Fig. 9). Torque hose routing bracket to
crossmember attaching bolt (Fig. 9) to 23 N·m (17 ft,
lbs.).
(6) If the vehicle is equipped with power steering,
install vehicle wiring harness connector onto power
steering fluid pressure switch on steering gear
assembly (Fig. 8). Be sure locking tab on wiring har-
ness connector is securely latched to pressure switch.
(7) Install tie rod end into the steering knuckle.
Start tie rod end to steering knuckle attaching nut
onto stud of tie rod end. While holding stud of tie rod
end stationary, tighten tie rod end to steering
knuckle attaching nut (Fig. 6). Then using a crowfoot
and 11/32 socket (Fig. 17), torque tie rod end attach-
ing nut to 55 N·m (40 ft. lbs.).
Fig. 17 Torquing Tie Rod End Attaching Nut
(8) Install engine/transaxle bobble strut (Fig. 5)
back on front suspension crossmember bracket.
Install and securely tighten the dampener to cross-
member attaching bolt.
(9) Install the wheel and tire assemblies back on
vehicle. Tighten the wheel nuts to 135 N·m (100 ft.
lbs.) torque.
(10) Lower vehicle.
(11) From interior of vehicle, reconnect the steer-
ing gear coupler with the steering column shaft cou-
pler. Install steering gear coupler retaining pinch bolt
and torque to 28 N·m (250 in. lbs.). Be sure to
install the upper to lower steering coupler
retaining bolt, retention pin (Fig. 4).
CAUTION:
fluid.
11/32 S OCKET TIE ROD END
Do not use automatic transmission
PL
CROWFOOT LOWER STEERING K NUCKLE CONTROL ARM