Chrysler Concorde 2004 Service Manual page 1420

2 - 28 FRONT SUSPENSION
STRUT (Continued)
built into the seat and upper spring isolator against
the coil end of the coil spring.
(4) Install the lower spring isolator on the lower
spring seat of the strut (Fig. 65). The tabs on the iso-
lator will align it on the strut spring seat. They
straddle the expanded area of the lower spring seat
on the strut.
(5) Install the jounce bumper on the strut shaft.
The jounce bumper is to be installed with the smaller
end pointing downward toward the lower seat (Fig.
64).
(6) Install the jounce bumper cup (Fig. 64) on the
strut shaft. The cupped side goes on first.
(7) Install the strut through the bottom of the coil
spring until the lower spring seat contacts the lower
end of the coil spring. The inboard side of the strut
(or rear of the clevis bracket) should align with the
flat on the inboard side of the seat and bearing outer
perimeter. Install the clamp on the lower end of the
coil spring and strut, so the strut is held in place
(Fig. 62).
CAUTION: Before installing the upper mount, make
sure the correct upper mount is being installed on
the strut. DO NOT install a right mount on a left
front strut or a left mount on a right front strut.
Incorrect mount installation may cause poor vehicle
ride and steering feel, and excessive front end
noise. A lead or drift condition may also be the
result. Left and right mounts look similar, but are
different from one another. Looking down at the top
of the upper mount, 2 tabs can be seen, (Fig. 66)
and (Fig. 67), down inside the mount center well. A
rectangular hole can be seen on the edge of the
mount mounting surface (Fig. 66) and (Fig. 67). This
is always in the 10 o'clock position when observing
rubber tab positioning, whether a left or right mount
is being observed. Once this hole is located in the
10 o'clock position, the tabs should be in the posi-
tions as shown (Fig. 66) and (Fig. 67). The right
upper mount should also have a white dot painted
on its mounting face.
(8) Install the strut upper mount over the strut
shaft and onto the top of the seat and bearing.
Loosely install the retaining nut on the strut shaft.
(9) Install Strut Nut Socket (on the end of a torque
wrench), Special Tool 6864, on the strut shaft retain-
ing nut (Fig. 63). Next, install a socket on the hex on
the end of the strut shaft. While holding the strut
shaft from turning, tighten the strut shaft retaining
nut to a torque of 94 N·m (70 ft. lbs.).
(10) Slowly release the tension from the coil spring
by backing off the compressor drive fully. As the ten-
sion is relieved, make sure the upper mount and seat
and bearing align properly. Verify the upper mount
does not bind.
Fig. 66 Left
1 - NOTCH
2 - RUBBER TABS
3 - OUTBOARD STRUT COIL SPRING SEAT
4 - STEERING ARM
Fig. 67 Right Front Strut Upper Mount
1 - NOTCH
2 - STEERING ARM
3 - OUTBOARD STRUT COIL SPRING SEAT
4 - RUBBER TABS
(11) Remove the clamp from the lower end of the
coil spring and strut. Push back the spring compres-
sor upper and lower hooks, then remove the strut
assembly from the spring compressor.
(12) Install the strut assembly on the vehicle.
Refer to INSTALLATION in this section.
INSTALLATION - STRUT ASSEMBLY (FRONT)
(1) Install front strut assembly into shock tower.
Install the 4 strut assembly upper mount to shock
tower attaching nuts (Fig. 61). Tighten the 4 strut
mount to strut tower attaching nuts to a torque of 37
N·m (28 ft. lbs.) torque.
(2) Position steering knuckle into strut assembly.
LH