Shock Absorber Description; Operation; Removal - Shock Absorber; Disassembly - Shock Absorber (Upper Bushing) - Chrysler Dodge Caravan 2002 Manual

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RS
SHOCK ABSORBER
DESCRIPTION
There is one shock absorber on each side of the
rear suspension. The top of each shock absorber is
bolted to the frame rail. The bottom of each shock
absorber is bolted to the rear axle.
This vehicle is available with either standard type
or load-leveling shock absorbers. On the exterior,
load-leveling shock absorbers are larger in diameter
than standard shock absorbers. The load-leveling
shock absorbers mount the same as the standard
shock absorbers.

OPERATION

The shock absorber dampens jounce and rebound
motions of the spring and suspension.
Each load-leveling shock absorber is a self-leveling,
self-contained vehicle leveling system and shock
absorber combined. It does not require an external
compressor, hoses, or height leveling sensors. All the
height leveling sensors, hydraulic pump, etc., are con-
tained inside the shock absorber. It uses road inputs
(bumps, stops, starts, turns, acceleration, deceleration,
etc.) to activate pumping, which results in the exten-
sion and compression of the shock absorber.

REMOVAL - SHOCK ABSORBER

(1) Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)
(2) Support the rear axle of the vehicle using 2
jackstands positioned at the outer ends of the axle.
NOTE: If the shock absorber lower mounting bolt
deflects upward during removal, raise axle by
adjusting the support jack. If the lower shock
absorber bolt deflects downward during removal,
lower the axle by adjusting the support jack.
(3) Remove the shock absorber lower mounting
bolt.
(4) While holding shock absorber, remove the
shock absorber upper mounting bolt and shock
absorber.
DISASSEMBLY - SHOCK ABSORBER (UPPER
BUSHING)
NOTE: This procedure applies to load-leveling
shock absorbers only.
(1) Remove the shock absorber from the vehicle.
(2) Install the Receiver, Special Tool 8526-1, into
the cup of the Ball Joint Press, Special Tool C-4212F,
and tighten the set screw. Install the Driver, Special
Tool 8526-2, on the tip of the Ball Joint Press screw
drive as shown (Fig. 22).
Fig. 22 Special Tools Positioned For Removal
1 - SCREW DRIVE
NOTE: It works well to place the Ball Joint Press,
Special Tool C-4212F, in a bench vise as shown
(Fig. 22) to perform this procedure.
(3) Place the shock absorber upper mounting eye
in the Receiver so the notch in the Receiver clears
the shock absorber body (Fig. 23).
Fig. 23 Removing Bushing From Shock Absorber
1 - SCREW DRIVE
2 - SHOCK ABSORBER
3 - NOTCH
(4) Tighten the screw drive until the Driver con-
tacts the outer circumference of the bushing evenly
(Fig. 23). Continue to tighten the screw drive until
the bushing is pressed completely out of the shock
absorber eye and into the Receiver.
(5) Back off the screw drive and remove the bush-
ing from the Receiver.

REAR SUSPENSION

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