Kia Carens. Manual — part 91

2001 > 1.8L DOHC >

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

Front axle

The front suspension consists of MacPherson struts and a single wishbone lower control arm. The upper end of each
strut is suspended from body's inner fender with a steering knuckle bolted to lower end of the strut.
A forged steering knuckle bolts to shock absorber.
Low ball joint is pressed into control arm and is attached to steering knuckle. Wide stance control arms are supported by
rubber bushings at each end. Body lean on turns is controlled by a hollow stabilizer bar that connects to both front strut.
Front wheels are attached to front hub and rotor assemblies. Front hub and rotor assemblies are supported by one-piece
roller bearings mounted in steering knuckle. wheel bearing is pressed into wheel bearing assembly.

Rear axle

Rear suspension is fully independent utilizing a rear MacPherson strut at each wheel. A fored rear spindle bolts to shock
absorber, double rear lateral links, and a single trailing arm.
Both lateral links and trailing arm have rubber bushings at each end. Lateral links are attached to rear sub-frame and
spindle with a common bolt and nut assembly at each end. Trailing arm bolts to spindle and a bracket on floorpan.

If a rear suspension component becomes bent or damaged, do not attempt to straighten it. Always replace with a
new part.

Lateral links, trailing arms, and spindles are normally replaced only when part has been damaged or when vehicle has
been involved in an accident. If a suspension part has been damaged, be sure to check underbody dimensions of
vehicle. If bearing requires service, it must be replaced as an assembly.

Driveshaft

Halfshafts are mechanical links that transfer engine torque from transaxle and differential to front wheels. At transaxle
end, halfshafts are splined to differential side gears. Disengagement of left shaft from gear is prevented by an expanding
spring steel circlip expands into a counterbore machined into back side of gear.
Wheel end of halfshafts are splined to wheel hubs which are supported on one-piece wheel bearings.
Disengagement of shaft from wheel hub is prevented by a staked halfshaft attaching nut. Backlash between wheel hub
and halfshaft is eliminated by splindes. Wheel hub splines are machined straight while halfshaft splines are machined
with straight helical cut.
Differences in splines provide a tight backlash-free coupling without removal and installation problems associated with an
interference fit.
Constant Velocity (CV) joints are installed at both ends of halfshafts. All in board CV joint are tripod joint type. Tripod
joints are used to prevent transfer of engine vibration through driveshaft to vehicle body.
Contstant velocity joints are necessary because halfshaft is required to transmit torque while compensating for
suspension movement. As suspension moves, CV joints allow halfshaft to change length and to operate smoothly
through varying angles.
For necessary flexibility, Birfield-type CV joints uses three balls mounted on needle bearings and a spider. In both types
of joints, outer race is machined into CV joint housing.
Tripod CV joints can be disassembled and serviced.
Other than CV joint boot, outboard Birfield CV joint is serviced only as an assembly with shaft.

2001 > 1.8L DOHC >

GENERAL DIAGNOSTICS AND TESTS

Front axle

Problem

Possible cause

Action

Steering wheel vibration

Excessive wheel bearing play

Adjust or replace

Damaged or worn wheel bearing

Replace

Pulling to one side

Excessive wheel bearing play

Adjust or replace

Damaged or worn wheel bearing

Replace

Excessive steering wheel play

Excessive wheel bearing play

Adjust or replace

Linkage

Damaged or worn wheel bearing

Replace

Insufficient grease on spline or joint
of jointshaft

Lubricate or replace

Bending of joint as shaft or drive
shaft

Replace

Worn joint shaft spline or drive shaft

Replace

Insufficient grease on joint or spline
of drive shaft

Lubricate or replace

Worn drive shaft

Replace

Grease leakage from foot

Damage or tear of boot

Replace

Malfunction or disassembly of boot
band

Replace

Excessive grease

Repair

Rear axle

Problem

Possible cause

Action

Steering wheel vibration

Damaged or worn wheel bearing

Replace

Excessive wheel bearing play

Adjust or replace

Pulling to one side

Damaged or worn wheel bearing

Replace

Excessive wheel bearing play

Adjust or replace

Excessive wheel play

Excessive wheel bearing play

Adjust or replace

Damaged or worn wheel bearing

Replace

2001 > 1.8L DOHC >

SPECIFICATIONS

Driveshaft and axle

Engine

TB DOHC

Item

MTX

ATX

Driveshaft

Type of joint

Inside

Tripod

Outside

Ball joint

Length of joint Left side

24.80in (630mm)

25.11in (638mm)

Right side

25.02in (635.7mm)

25.02in (635.7mm)

Shaft diameter Right side

0.95(ø)in (24mm)

Left side

0.95(ø)in (24mm)

Number of
teeth

Left side

BJ side

28

28

TJ side

28

24

Right
side

BJ side

28

28

TJ side

28

28

Front axle

Axis direction
bearing play

0.003in (0.1mm)

Rear axle

Axis direction
bearing play

0.003in (0.1mm)