Chrysler Concorde 2004 Service Manual page 1415

LH
STRUT (Continued)
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STRUT ASSEMBLY
(FRONT)
(1) Inspect for damaged or broken coil springs.
(2) Inspect for torn or damaged strut assembly
dust boots.
(3) Lift dust boot and inspect strut assembly for
evidence of fluid running from the upper end of fluid
reservoir. (Actual leakage will be a stream of fluid
running down the side and dripping off lower end of
unit). A slight amount of seepage between the strut
rod and strut shaft seal is not unusual and does not
affect performance of the strut assembly. Also inspect
jounce bumpers for signs of damage or deterioration.
(4) Inspect the upper strut mount assembly. Make
sure the correct mount is on the correct side of the
vehicle. Looking down at the top of the upper mount,
2 tabs can be seen, (Fig. 53) and (Fig. 54), down
inside the mount center well. The positioning of
these tabs is critical to vehicle ride and sound. DO
NOT install a right mount on the left front strut
or a left mount on a right front strut. If the strut
is off the vehicle, a rectangular hole can be seen on
the edge of the mount mounting surface (Fig. 53) and
(Fig. 54). This is always in the 10 o'clock position
when observing rubber tab positioning, whether a
left or right mount is being observed.
Fig. 53 Left Front Strut Upper Mount
1 - NOTCH
2 - RUBBER TABS
3 - OUTBOARD STRUT COIL SPRING SEAT
4 - STEERING ARM
Fig. 54 Right Front Strut Upper Mount
1 - NOTCH
2 - STEERING ARM
3 - OUTBOARD STRUT COIL SPRING SEAT
4 - RUBBER TABS
Coil springs are rated separately for each corner or
side of the vehicle depending on optional equipment
and type of vehicle service. Be sure that the springs
meet the correct load rating for the vehicle and its
specific options.
REMOVAL - STRUT ASSEMBLY (FRONT)
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE STRUT ASSEM-
BLY'S SHAFT NUT AT ANY TIME UNLESS THE COIL
SPRING HAS BEEN PROPERLY COMPRESSED
FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURE LISTED IN STRUT
ASSEMBLY DISASSEMBLY IN THIS SECTION.
(1) Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a
frame contact type hoist. See Hoisting in Lubrication
and Maintenance.
(2) Remove front tire and wheel assembly from the
vehicle.
(3) Remove the stabilizer bar link nut at the strut
assembly. Remove the link from the strut assembly
(Fig. 55).
(4) Loosen, but do not remove, the outer tie rod
end to strut arm attaching nut (Fig. 56). Release
outer tie rod end from steering arm using Puller,
Special Tool C-3894A (Fig. 56), then remove nut and
tie rod from the steering arm.
FRONT SUSPENSION 2 - 23