Jeep 1997 Grand Cherokee Service Manual page 46

2 - 6 SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
FRONT SUSPENSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
SHOCK DIAGNOSIS
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
AXLE BUSHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
COIL SPRING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
HUB BEARING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
SHOCK ABSORBER
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
FRONT SUSPENSION
The front suspension is a link/coil design (Fig. 1).
This design is used on Left Hand Drive (LHD) and
Right Hand Drive (RHD) vehicles. The suspension is
comprised of:
• Drive axle (4WD), tube axle (2WD)
• Dual-action shock absorbers
• Coil springs
• Upper and lower suspension arms
• Stabilizer bar
• Track bar
• Jounce Bumper
Link/Coil Suspension: The link/coil suspension
allows each wheel to adapt to different road surfaces
without greatly affecting the opposite wheel. Wheels
are attached to a hub/bearings which bolts to the
knuckles. The hub/bearing is not serviceable and is
replaced as a unit. Steering knuckles pivot on
replaceable ball studs attached to the axle tube
yokes.
Shock Absorbers: The shock absorbers dampen
jounce and rebound motion of the vehicle over vari-
ous road conditions. The top of the shock absorbers
are bolted to the body. The bottom of the shocks are
bolted to the axle brackets.
Coil Springs: The coil springs control ride quality
and maintain proper ride height. The coil springs
mount up in the wheelhouse which is part of the
unitized body bracket. A rubber doughnut isolator is
located between the top of the spring and the body.
The bottom of the spring seats on a axle pad and is
retained with a clip.
Upper And Lower Suspension: The suspension
arms use bushings to isolate road noise. The suspen-
sion arms are bolted to the frame and axle through
the rubber bushings. The lower suspension arm uses
FRONT SUSPENSION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
INDEX
page
STABILIZER BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
STEERING KNUCKLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
TRACK BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
UPPER SUSPENSION ARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
WHEEL MOUNTING STUDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE CHART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SPECIAL TOOLS
FRONT SUSPENSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
cam bolts at the axle to allow for caster and pinion
angle adjustment. The suspension arm travel is lim-
ited through the use of jounce bumpers in compres-
sion and shocks absorbers in rebound.
Stabilizer Bar: The stabilizer bar is used to con-
trol vehicle body roll during turns. The spring steel
bar helps to control the vehicle body in relationship
to the suspension. The bar extends across the front
underside of the chassis and connects to the frame
rails. Links are connected from the bar to the axle
brackets. Stabilizer bar mounts are isolated by rub-
ber bushings.
Track Bar: The track bar is used to control front
axle lateral movement. The bar is attached to a
frame rail bracket with a ball stud and isolated with
a bushing at the axle bracket.
CAUTION: Components attached with a nut and
cotter pin must be torqued to specification. Then if
the slot in the nut does not line up with the cotter
pin hole, tighten nut until it is aligned. Never loosen
the nut to align the cotter pin hole.
CAUTION: Suspension components with rubber/
urethane bushings (except stabilizer bar) should be
tightened with the vehicle at normal ride height. It is
important to have the springs supporting the weight
of the vehicle when the fasteners are torqued. If
springs are not at their normal ride position, vehicle
ride comfort could be affected and premature bush-
ing wear may occur.
NOTE: Periodic lubrication of the front suspension/
steering system components may be required. Rub-
ber bushings must never be lubricated. Refer to
Group 0, Lubrication And Maintenance for the rec-
ommended maintenance schedule.
ZG
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