Chrysler Stratus RHD 1999 Electronic Service Manual page 55

2 - 44 SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)
HUB AND BEARING (REAR)
The hub and bearing is a combined rear wheel hub
and wheel bearing unit. All vehicles are equipped
with permanently lubricated and sealed for life rear
hub and bearing assemblies. There is no periodic
lubrication or maintenance recommended for these
units.
The hub and bearing is mounted to the rear knuck-
le's spindle using a retaining nut. The tire and wheel
assembly, and rear brake drum or disc attaches to
the studs protruding from the hub flange with wheel
mounting studs.
UPPER CONTROL ARM (REAR)
An upper control arm is attached to the top of each
rear knuckle, connecting the knuckle to the rear sus-
pension crossmember. The attachment of the upper
control arm to the knuckle is achieved through a ball
joint in the upper control arm. The ball joint is
pressed into the upper control arm and is attached to
the knuckle using a tapered stud and a castle nut.
The upper control arm is bolted to the rear suspen-
sion crossmember using a pivot bar which is rubber
isolated from the upper control arm.
LATERAL LINKS
The lateral movement of the rear knuckle is con-
trolled by the lateral links connecting the front and
rear of the knuckle to the rear suspension crossmem-
ber.
The lateral links have rubber isolator bushings at
each end to isolate suspension noise from the body of
the vehicle. The metal sleeves of the links are adjust-
able for setting rear alignment. The forward link
allows for stabilizer bar attachment through stabi-
lizer bar attachment links.
TRAILING LINK
Fore and aft movement of the knuckle is controlled
by a trailing link. The trailing link bolts to the bot-
tom of the knuckle and to a bracket attached to the
floor pan of the vehicle.
The trailing link is steel and has rubber isolator
bushings, retainer washers and nuts at each end to
isolate suspension noise from the body of the vehicle.
STABILIZER BAR (REAR)
The stabilizer bar interconnects the forward lateral
links of the vehicle's rear suspension and is attached
to the rear suspension crossmember of the vehicle.
Jounce and rebound movements affecting one rear
wheel of the vehicle are partially transmitted to the
opposite wheel of the vehicle to stabilize body roll.
Attachment of the stabilizer bar to the rear cross-
member of the vehicle is through 2 rubber-isolator
bushings and bushing retainers. The stabilizer bar to
lateral link attachment is done utilizing a rubber iso-
lated stabilizer bar attaching link . All parts of the
stabilizer bar are serviceable, and the stabilizer bar
to rear suspension isolator bushings are split for easy
removal and installation. The split in the stabilizer
bar to crossmember bushing must be positioned
toward the front of the vehicle, when the stabilizer
bar is installed on the vehicle.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
SHOCK ASSEMBLY (REAR)
(1) Inspect for damaged or broken coil springs.
(2) Inspect for torn or damaged shock absorber
dust shield.
(3) Inspect for damaged lower spring isolator.
(4) Lift dust boot and inspect shock absorber 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 shock
absorber rod and shock absorber rod seal is not
unusual and does not affect performance of the shock
absorber. Also inspect jounce bumpers for signs of
damage or deterioration.
KNUCKLE (REAR)
Inspect the knuckle for physical damage. If it is
determined that the knuckle is cracked, bent or bro-
ken when servicing the vehicle, no attempt is to be
made to repair or to straighten the knuckle. The rear
knuckle is not a repairable component of the rear
suspension and must be replaced if found to be dam-
aged in any way.
HUB AND BEARING (REAR)
The rear hub and bearing assembly is designed for
the life of the vehicle and should require no mainte-
nance. The following procedure may be used for eval-
uation of bearing condition.
With wheel and brake drum removed, rotate
flanged outer ring of hub. Excessive roughness, lat-
eral play or resistance to rotation may indicate dirt
intrusion or bearing failure. If the rear wheel bear-
ings exhibit these conditions during inspection, the
hub and bearing assembly should be replaced.
Damaged bearing seals and resulting excessive
grease loss may also require bearing replacement.
Moderate grease loss from bearing is considered nor-
mal and should not require replacement of the hub
and bearing assembly.
UPPER CONTROL ARM (REAR)
Inspect the control arm for physical damage. If it is
determined that the upper control arm is broken or
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