Chrysler 1997 Stratus Convertible RHD Service Manual page 26

2 - 4 SUSPENSION
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)
PRE-WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION
Before any attempt is made to change or correct
the wheel alignment factors. The following part
inspection and the necessary corrections should be
made to those parts which influence the steering of
the vehicle.
(1) Check and inflate all tires to recommended
pressure. All tires should be the same size and in
good condition and have approximately the same
wear. Note the type of tread wear which will aid in
diagnosing, see Wheels and Tires, Group 22.
(2) Check front wheel and tire assembly for radial
runout.
(3) Inspect lower ball joints and all steering link-
age for looseness.
(4) Check for broken or sagged front and rear
springs.
(5) Check vehicle ride height to verify it is within
specifications.
(6) Alignment MUST only be checked after the
vehicle has the following areas inspected and or
adjusted. Recommended tire pressures, full tank of
fuel, no passenger or luggage compartment load and
is on a level floor or a properly calibrated alignment
rack.
SERVICE PROCEDURES
WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECK AND ADJUSTMENT
PROCEDURE
CASTER CAMBER DESCRIPTION
On this vehicle, the front suspension caster and
camber settings and the rear suspension caster set-
tings, are determined at the time the vehicle is
designed. This is accomplished by very accurately
locating the vehicle's suspension components when
designing and assembling the vehicle. This is called a
Net Build vehicle and results in no required or avail-
able adjustment of front and rear caster and front
camber after the vehicle is built or when servicing
the suspension components. Thus Caster and Camber
are not normally considered an adjustable specifica-
tion when performing an alignment on this vehicle.
Though Caster and Camber are not adjustable they
must be checked to ensure they meet vehicle specifi-
cations.
If a vehicle's front camber is found to be outside of
the required specifications, the vehicles front suspen-
sion components should be inspected for any signs of
damage or bending.
Rear Camber on this vehicle is adjustable. The
rear camber on this vehicle is adjusted using the
adjusting screw located in the forward and rear lat-
eral links of the vehicles rear suspension (Fig. 2).
Rear Caster on this vehicle is not adjustable and is
not shown as an alignment specification.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to adjust the vehicles
Caster or Camber by heating, bending or any other
modification of the suspension components.
CAUTION: When checking the rear alignment on
this vehicle the alignment rack must be equipped
with rear skid plates.
Correctly position vehicle on alignment rack and
install all required equipment on vehicle, per the
alignment equipment manufacturers specifications.
NOTE: Prior to reading each alignment specifica-
tion, front and rear of vehicle should be jounced an
equal number of times. Induce jounce (rear first
then front) by grasping center of bumper and jounc-
ing each end of vehicle an equal number of times.
Bumper should always be released when vehicle is
at the bottom of the jounce cycle.
Correctly jounce vehicle and read front and rear
alignment settings and compare to vehicle specifica-
tions for camber, caster and Toe. See Alignment Spec-
ifications in this group of the service manual for
required specifications.
FRONT WHEEL TOE AND REAR WHEEL TOE
AND CAMBER SETTING PROCEDURE
(1) Prepare vehicle as described in the Pre-Align-
ment Vehicle Inspection procedure.
(2) Center steering wheel and lock in place using a
steering wheel clamp.
NOTE: When performing the Front Toe and Rear
Camber and Toe setting procedure, the rear wheel
Camber and Toe MUST be set to the preferred spec-
ification first, then set front wheel Toe to the pre-
ferred specification.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to straighten or repair a
lateral link. Do not apply heat to the lateral link
adjusting screws or to the jam nuts, (Fig. 2) when
loosening or adjusting the lateral links.
(3) Loosen the adjusting screw jam nuts (Fig. 2) on
all 4 of the rear lateral arm adjusting screws.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to move the adjusting
screws without properly loosening the jam nuts.
Note that each adjusting screw has one right-
handed nut and one left-handed nut.
JX