Installation; Stabilizer Bar Description; Operation; Removal - Chrysler Dodge Caravan 2002 Manual

Table of Contents

Advertisement

2 - 44
REAR SUSPENSION
SPRING MOUNTS - REAR (Continued)
(2) Install a jackstand under the side of the axle
having the leaf spring mount removed. Using the jack-
stand, support the weight of the axle and leaf spring.
(3) Remove the lower mounting bolt from the
shock absorber.
(4) Remove the bolts attaching the leaf spring rear
mount to the body of the vehicle (Fig. 40).
Fig. 40 Rear Spring Mount
1 - LEAF SPRING MOUNT
(5) Lower the jackstand and the rear of the leaf
spring. Remove the shackle from the leaf spring
bushing.

INSTALLATION

CAUTION: The following sequence must be fol-
lowed when tightening the pin nuts on the rear
hanger for the rear leaf spring. First the hanger pin
nuts must be tightened to the specified torque.
Then tighten the retaining bolts for the inner to
outer half of the spring hanger to the specified
torque. This sequence must be followed to avoid
bending the spring hanger.
(1) For installation, reverse removal procedure. Do
not tighten rear spring shackle nuts fully until vehi-
cle is lowered and the full vehicle weight is applied
to the rear wheels. Tighten rear spring mount bolts
to 61 N·m (45 ft. lbs.). Tighten shackle nuts to 61
N·m (45 ft. lbs.).
STABILIZER BAR
DESCRIPTION
Front-wheel-drive models use a stabilizer bar that
is mounted behind the rear axle. All-wheel-drive
models use a stabilizer bar that is mounted in front
of the rear axle.
The stabilizer bar interconnects both sides of the
rear axle and attaches to the rear frame rails using 2
rubber isolated link arms.
Both type stabilizer bars have the same basic com-
ponents. Attachment to the rear axle tube, and rear
frame rails is through rubber-isolated bushings.
The 2 rubber isolated links are connected to the
rear frame rails by brackets. These brackets are
bolted to the bottom of the frame rails.

OPERATION

Jounce and rebound movements affecting one
wheel are partially transmitted to the opposite wheel
to reduce body roll.

REMOVAL

REMOVAL - AWD

(1) Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)
(2) Remove the bolts securing the stabilizer bar to
links on each end of the bar.
(3) While holding the stabilizer bar in place,
remove the bolts that attach the stabilizer bar bush-
ing retainers to the rear axle.
(4) Remove the stabilizer bar from the vehicle.
(5) If the links need to be serviced, remove the
upper link arm to bracket bolt. Then remove link
arm from frame rail attaching bracket.

REMOVAL - FWD

(1) Raise vehicle. See Hoisting in Lubrication and
Maintenance.
(2) Remove the bolts securing the stabilizer bar to
links on each side of bar.
(3) While holding the stabilizer bar in place,
remove the bolts that attach the stabilizer bar bush-
ing retainers to the rear axle.
(4) Remove the stabilizer bar from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION

INSTALLATION - AWD

(1) Install the stabilizer bar on the rear axle.
(2) Install bushing retainer bolts. Do not tighten at
this time.
(3) Install bolts connecting links to stabilizer bar.
Do not tighten at this time.
(4) Lower the vehicle so that the full weight of the
vehicle is on all four tires. With the vehicle at its
curb height, tighten the following bolts to the torques
listed:
• Stabilizer bar bushing retainer-to-axle bracket
bolts — 61 N·m (45 ft. lbs.)
RS

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Table of Contents