Jeep 1997 Grand Cherokee Service Manual page 54

2 - 14 SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
REAR SUSPENSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
SHOCK DIAGNOSIS
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
COIL SPRING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
REAR SUSPENSION
The rear suspension is link/coil design comprised of
(Fig. 1):
• Drive axle
• Dual-action shock absorbers
• Coil springs
• Upper and lower suspension arms
• Track bar
• Stabilizer bar
Upper And Lower Suspension: The suspension
arms use bushings to isolate road noise. The suspen-
sion arms are bolted to the body and axle through
the rubber bushings. The lower suspension arm has
provision for the use of cam bolts at the axle to allow
for pinion angle or thrust angle adjustment. The
cams are available as a service kit and are not
installed at the factory. The suspension arm travel is
limited through the of use jounce bumpers in com-
pression and shock absorbers in rebound.
Shock Absorbers: The shock absorbers dampen
jounce and rebound of the vehicle over various road
conditions. The top of the shock absorbers are bolted
to the body. The bottom of the shocks are bolted to
the axle shock absorber bracket.
Coil Springs: The coil springs mount up in the
fender shield that is part of the unitized body
bracket. There is a rubber isolator between the top of
the spring and bracket to isolate road noise. The bot-
tom of the spring seats on the axle pad and is
retained with a clip.
Stabilizer Bar: The stabilizer bar is used to con-
trol vehicle body roll during turns. The spring steel
bar helps to equalize the vehicle body in relationship
to the suspension. The bar extends across the under-
side of the chassis and connects to the frame rails.
Links are connected from the bar to the axle brack-
ets. Stabilizer bar are isolated by rubber bushings.
REAR SUSPENSION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
INDEX
page
SHOCK ABSORBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
STABILIZER BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
TRACK BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
UPPER SUSPENSION ARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE CHART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Track Bar: The track bar is used to control rear
axle lateral movement. The track bar is attached to a
frame rail bracket and an axle bracket. It is isolated
with bushings at both ends.
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. This
will maintain vehicle ride comfort and prevent pre-
mature bushing wear.
Fig. 1 Rear Suspension
ZG
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