Chrysler 300M 2002 Service Manual page 39

2 - 16 FRONT SUSPENSION
LOWER CONTROL ARM (Continued)
Fig. 34 Installing Tension Strut Bushing Into Lower
Control Arm
1 - ARBOR PRESS
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 6644-2
3 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
4 - SPECIAL TOOL 6644-3
5 - SPECIAL TOOL MB990799
INSTALLATION - LOWER CONTROL ARM
(1) Position tension strut in lower control arm as
shown (Fig. 35). Make sure the word FRONT which
is stamped in tension strut, is positioned away from
control arm.
Fig. 35 Lower Control Arm And Tension Strut
1 - BALL JOINT STUD
2 - BALL JOINT SEAL
3 - LOWER CONTROL ARM TENSION STRUT BUSHING
4 - NUT
5 - TENSION STRUT
6 - TENSION STRUT TO CRADLE ISOLATOR BUSHING
7 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
8 - LOWER CONTROL ARM PIVOT BUSHING
9 - WORD FRONT STAMPED IN CONTROL ARM HERE
(2) Install the washer and a NEW retaining nut
on the end of the tension strut at the control arm.
Place an open end wrench on flat of tension strut to
keep it from turning tension whilt tightening retain-
ing nut. Tighten retaining nut to a torque of 130 N·m
(95 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install the lower control arm and tension strut
assembly on the engine/suspension cradle in the fol-
lowing manner. Install tension strut and isolator
bushing end into cradle first, then install lower con-
trol arm pivot bushing end into bracket on cradle
(Fig. 28).
(4) Install the lower control arm to cradle bracket
attaching pivot bolt and nut (Fig. 27). Do not
tighten the lower control arm to cradle bracket
attaching bolt at this time.
(5) Install washer on end of tension strut (Fig. 26).
Install a NEW tension strut to cradle bracket nut, on
tension strut (Fig. 26). Tighten the tension strut to
cradle bracket retaining nut to a torque of 130 N·m
(95 ft. lbs.). When torquing tension strut nut, keep
tension strut from turning by holding tension strut
at flat using an open end wrench (Fig. 26).
CAUTION: Pulling steering knuckle out from vehicle
after releasing from ball joint can separate inner
C/V joint. See Driveshafts.
CAUTION: When ball joint stud is installed into
steering knuckle, do not let ball joint seal hit up
against steering knuckle. If ball joint seal hits steer-
ing knuckle, seal damage may occur. If ball joint
seal becomes torn, replace seal before assembling
lower control arm to knuckle.
(6) Install lower ball joint stud into steering
knuckle. Install steering knuckle to lower ball joint
stud, clamp bolt and nut into steering knuckle (Fig.
24). Tighten the clamping bolt to a torque of 55 N·m
(40 ft. lbs.).
(7) Install the wheel and tire assembly.
(8) Tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in
proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half
specification. Then repeat the tightening sequence to
the full specified torque of 129 N·m (95 ft. lbs.).
(9) Lower vehicle so the suspension is supporting
vehicles weight (control arm at design height).
Tighten the lower control arm pivot bushing to cradle
bracket attaching bolt (Fig. 27) to a torque of 142
N·m (105 ft. lbs.).
LH