Chrysler Le Baron, Dodge Dynasty, Plymouth Acclaim. Manual — part 79

BALL JOINT INSTALLATION

(1) By hand, position ball joint assembly into the

ball joint bore of the lower control arm. Be sure the
ball joint assembly is not cocked in the bore of the
control arm, this will cause binding of the ball joint
assembly.

(2) Position assembly in press with Installer Tool

C-4699-2 supporting control arm (Fig. 14).

(3) Install

the

Remover/Installer,

Special

Tool

C-4699-1 over the ball joint stud and down on the
lower body of the ball joint assembly (Fig. 14).

(4) Carefully align all pieces. Using an arbor press

apply pressure against the ball joint assembly, until
ball joint is fully seated against bottom surface of
control arm. Do not apply excessive pressure against
the control arm.

BALL JOINT SEAL INSTALLATION

(1) Support ball joint housing with Installer, Spe-

cial Tool C-4699-1 (Fig. 15). Position new seal over
ball joint stud and against ball joint housing.

(2) With 1-1/2 inch socket, press seal onto ball

joint housing until it is squarely seated against top
surface of control arm as shown in (Fig. 15).

SWAY BAR

The sway bar interconnects the front lower control

arms of the vehicle and attaches to the crossmember
(Fig. 1).

Jounce and rebound movements affecting one

wheel are partially transmitted to the opposite wheel
to stabilize body roll.

Attachment to the crossmember, and front lower

control arms is through rubber-isolated bushings. All
parts are serviceable, and the sway bar to crossmem-
ber bushings are split for easy removal and installa-
tion. The split in the sway bar to crossmember
bushing should be positioned toward the front of the
vehicle.

LOWER CONTROL ARM SWAY BAR RETAINER
ATTACHMENT HOLE THREAD REPAIR

If threaded holes in lower control arm, for attach-

ment of sway bar retainers (Fig. 1) become damaged.
The threaded holes are repairable and do not require
replacement of lower control arm.

If threads are damaged or stripped on the lower

control arm. An initial repair attempt should be

Fig. 13 Removing Ball Joint

Fig. 14 Installing Ball Joint

Fig. 15 Installing Ball Joint Seal

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SUSPENSION AND DRIVESHAFTS

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made by using a (M10 x 1.5 - 6H) thread chasing tap
on the holes to restore the threads to a usable condi-
tion. If threads can be restored to a usable condition,
install sway bar retainer attaching bolts and torque
to 68 N

Im (50 ft. lbs.).

CAUTION: When performing repair procedure listed
below. Be sure replacement bolts and nuts meet the
same requirements as the original equipment man-
ufactures specifications.

If damage to threaded holes in lower control arm,

can not be restored to a usable condition using the
above procedure. Drill out holes in lower control arm
using an 11 mm drill bit. Then use a bolt and nut for
attachment of sway bar retainer to lower control
arm. Torque the nut and bolt to 68 N

Im (50 ft. lbs.).

REMOVAL

(1) Raise and support the vehicle. See Hoisting in

Lubrication and Maintenance, Group 0.

(2) Remove the bolts and sway bar retainers at the

front lower control arms (Fig. 16).

(3) Remove the bolts at sway bar crossmember

clamps, and remove clamps and sway bar from vehi-
cle (Fig. 16).

INSPECTION

Inspect for broken or distorted clamps, retainers,

and bushings. If bushing replacement is required, the
inner bushing can be removed by opening the split.
The outer bushing must be cut or hammered off the
bar. If replaced, the outer bushings should be forced
on so that approximately 1/2 inch of the bar pro-
trudes. The sway bar to crossmember bushings,

should be positioned when installed, so the void on the
bushing is positioned toward the rear of the vehicle
(Fig. 17). Note that the control arm retainers are
symmetric and bend slightly upon installation.

INSTALLATION

(1) If inspection of the sway bar assembly, deter-

mined that sway bar to lower control arm bushings
require replacement. Install the new bushings, by
forcing them onto sway bar using a rotating motion.
Bushings should be installed on sway bar so that sway
bar extends 1/2 inch out past the end of the bushing.

(2) If required position sway bar to crossmember

bushings on sway bar with external rib up and void in
the bushing facing the rear of vehicle (Fig. 17). Lift the
bar assembly into the crossmember, and install

Fig. 16 Front Sway Bar

Fig. 17 Sway Bar To Crossmember Bushing Posi-

tion

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SUSPENSION AND DRIVESHAFTS

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the lower clamps and bolts. The center offset in the
sway bar should be oriented toward the front of the
vehicle (Fig. 16)

(3) Position bushing retainers on lower control arms

and install bolts (Fig. 16).

(4) With lower control arms raised to design height,

tighten all retainer attaching bolts to 70 N

Im (50 ft.

lbs.) torque.

(5) Lower vehicle.

KNUCKLE (FRONT SUSPENSION)

The front suspension knuckle (Fig. 1) provides for

steering control of the vehicle. Supports the brake
caliper and absorbs the loads exerted during vehicle
braking. It also supports the front (driving) hub and
bearing and stub axle assembly.

The front suspension knuckle also provides the abil-

ity to align the front wheels of the vehicle. This is done
by allowing for front wheel camber adjustment and the
ability for front tire Toe adjustments

The front suspension knuckle is not a serviceable

component. Do not attempt to straighten or repair the
front suspension knuckle in any way.

Service repair or replacement of the front (drive) hub

and bearing, can be done with the front suspension
knuckle remaining on the vehicle.

REMOVAL

(1) Remove the cotter pin, hub nut lock and spring

washer from the front axle (Fig. 2).

(2) Loosen hub nut while the vehicle is on the floor

with the brakes applied (Fig. 3). The hub and drive-
shaft are splined together through the knuckle
(bearing) and retained by the hub nut.

(3) Raise and support the vehicle. See Hoisting in

Lubrication and Maintenance, Group 0.

(4) Remove the wheel lug nuts, front tire and

wheel assembly and hub nut and washer.

(5) Remove the brake caliper adapter to steering

knuckle attaching bolts and washers (Fig. 1). Re-
move the brake caliper and adapter from the steering
knuckle and braking disc. Support brake caliper/
adapter assembly using a wire hook and not by hy-
draulic hose (Fig. 4).

(6) Remove the braking disc from the front hub/

bearing assembly (Fig. 5).

(7) Remove the cotter pin and nut from the tie rod

end. Remove the tie rod end from the steering
knuckle arm using Puller, Special Tool C-3894-A
(Fig. 6).

(8) Remove the clamp nut and bolt (Fig. 7) secur-

ing the ball joint stud into the steering knuckle.

(9) Separate ball joint stud from knuckle assembly

by prying down on lower control arm. Pull knuckle
assembly out and away from driveshaft (Fig. 8).

Fig. 2 Remove Cotter Pin, Hub Nut Lock, & Spring

Washer

Fig. 3 Loosen Hub Nut

Fig. 1 Front Knuckle Assembly (Typical)

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SUSPENSION AND DRIVESHAFTS

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Care must be taken not to separate the inner

C/V joint during this operation. Do not allow
driveshaft to hang by inner C/V joint, driveshaft
must be supported.

(10) Remove the steering knuckle to strut damper

attaching bolt and cam bolt (Fig. 9). Note the location
of the cam bolt, it must be installed in the same
location when steering knuckle is installed back
on strut damper.

(11) Mount the steering knuckle in a vise and re-

move the 4 bolts on back of steering knuckle, attaching
the hub and bearing assembly. Remove the hub and
bearing assembly from the steering knuckle (Fig. 10).

Remove outer C/V joint seal from the steering

knuckle.

INSTALL

CAUTION: Knuckle and bearing mounting surfaces
must be smooth and completely free of foreign ma-
terial or nicks.

Fig. 6 Disconnect Tie Rod End

Fig. 7 Remove or Install Steering Knuckle Clamp

Bolt

Fig. 4 Supporting Brake Caliper

Fig. 5 Remove or Install Braking Disc

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SUSPENSION AND DRIVESHAFTS

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