Chrysler 2004 Concorde Service Manual page 78

2 - 48 REAR SUSPENSION
TRAILING ARM/LINK (Continued)
Inspect the trailing arm for signs of contact with
the ground or road debris which has bent or caused
other damage to the trailing arm. If the trailing arm
is bent or damaged the trailing arm will require
replacement. Do not
straighten a trailing arm.
REMOVAL - TRAILING ARM
(1) Raise vehicle on jackstands or centered on a
frame contact hoist. See Hoisting in Lubrication and
Maintenance.
(2) Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly from
the vehicle.
(3) Remove the bolt attaching the trailing arm to
the bracket on the bottom of the spindle (Fig. 30).
Fig. 30 Trailing Arm To Bracket Bolt
1 - SPINDLE
2 - TRAILING ARM BRACKET
3 - TRAILING ARM
4 - BOLT
(4) Remove the 4 bolts attaching the arm forward
mounting bracket to the frame rail and rear torque
box (Fig. 31).
(5) Remove the trailing arm and forward mounting
bracket from vehicle.
(6) Remove the bolt attaching the trailing arm to
the mounting bracket.
INSTALLATION - TRAILING ARM
CAUTION: When the trailing arm is installed to its
mounting bracket, it is important to set an offset
angle of 5 degrees before tightening the attaching
bolt. Otherwise, the bushing will be contorted when
the vehicle is at normal riding height. This angle
cannot be set once the trailing arm and bracket are
installed on the vehicle.
attempt to repair or
Fig. 31 Mounting Bracket Attachment
1 - TRAILING ARM
2 - FRAME RAIL
3 - ATTACHING BOLTS
4 - MOUNTING BRACKET
5 - TORQUE BOX
(1) Install the trailing arm to the mounting
bracket so the length-wise opening in the arm points
downward. Align the plane of the arm at a 5 degree
angle to the mounting bracket, mounting surface (to
the vehicle) (Fig. 32). This can be accomplished by
using a simple magnetic base protractor (Fig. 32).
Verify the mounting bracket is level, then rotate the
trailing arm until 5 degrees is measured (Fig. 32).
This angle is important to set, so the bushing is
not contorted when the vehicle is at normal
riding height.. Tighten the attaching bolt and nut
to a torque of 100 N·m (75 ft. lbs.). This bolt cannot
be tightened once mounted on the vehicle.
Fig. 32 Trailing Arm Mounting Angle
1 - EQUAL DISTANCES
2 - MOUNTING BRACKET
3 - PROTRACTOR
4 - TRAILING ARM
(2) Position the trailing arm and forward mount-
ing bracket into the vehicle. Attach to frame rail and
torque box with the 4 attaching bolts (Fig. 31).
Tighten the attaching bolts to 60 N·m (45 ft. lbs.).
LH