Installation; Stabilizer Bar Link Removal; Watts Link Assembly Description - Chrysler PT Cruiser Service & Repair Manual

2 - 48 REAR SUSPENSION
STABILIZER BAR CUSHIONS (Continued)

INSTALLATION

(1) Install the cushions on the stabilizer bar by
opening the slit in each cushion and wrapping it
around the bar. When installed properly, the slit in
the cushion should face toward the front of the car
once the bar is installed.
(2) Perform the following on each stabilizer bar
retainer:
(a) Hook the lower end of each retainer halve to
the other (Fig. 35).
(b) Install the two halves of the retainer over
the cushions, matching the contour of each retainer
with its cushion. The slit in the cushion should
face straight toward the forward halve of the
retainer.
(c) Fold the crimp tab on the forward retainer
halve over the rear halve crimping the two halves
together.
(3) Install the stabilizer bar on the rear axle.
(Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/REAR/STABILIZER BAR
- INSTALLATION)
STABILIZER BAR LINK
REMOVAL
NOTE: Before proceeding, (Refer to 2 - SUSPEN-
SION/REAR - WARNING).
(1) Raise the vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)
(2) Remove the appropriate rear wheel and tire
assembly from the vehicle.
(3) Remove the nut and bolt from the lower end of
the stabilizer bar link attaching it to the stabilizer
bar (Fig. 35).
(4) Remove the bolt retaining the link to the rear
frame rail (Fig. 35), then remove the stabilizer bar
link from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Reinstall stabilizer bar link, starting the bolt
retaining the link to frame rail (Fig. 35). Do not
tighten the bolt at this time.
(2) Install the lower bolt and nut attaching the
stabilizer bar link to the stabilizer bar (Fig. 35). Do
not tighten the bolt and nut at this time.
(3) Install tire and wheel assembly on the vehicle.
Tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in proper
sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specifica-
tion. Repeat the tightening sequence, this time, to
full specified torque of 135 N·m (100 ft. lbs.).
(4) Lower the vehicle to ground level (curb height).
(5) Tighten the stabilizer bar link upper bolt and
lower nut to a torque of 65 N·m (48 ft. lbs.).
WATTS LINK ASSEMBLY
DESCRIPTION
The watts link assembly consists of a bell crank
mounted to the rear axle and two links extending
from the bell crank to brackets mounted to the body
of the vehicle (Fig. 37).
The cast iron bell crank has a non—serviceable
sealed—for—life bearing mounted in the center of it
through which it is fastened to the axle. It also has
the words "BACK UP" cast into one side of it indicat-
ing the installation direction when mounted to the
axle (Fig. 36). Although the pivot may look identical
end to end, it is not and must be installed with the
words "BACK UP" toward the back of the vehicle fac-
ing upright in order to avoid premature bearing fail-
ure.
Fig. 36 Bell Crank
1 - INSTALLATION DIRECTION
The upper and lower links both have ball joints on
one end and bushings on the other. The ball joint
ends connect to the bell crank and the bushing ends
connect to a bracket on the body. The upper link
extends from the upper hole machined into the bell
crank to the bracket on the right side of the vehicle.
The lower link extends from the lower hole machined
into the bell crank to the bracket on the left side of
the vehicle. Although the links look like outer tie
rods, no attempt should be made to adjust them.
They are fixed to a set length at the factory and
require no maintenance. The bushings on the links
are not serviceable.
PT