Chrysler Stratus Convertible. Manual - part 49
SERVICE PROCEDURES
PRE-WHEEL ALIGNMENT INSPECTION
Before any attempt is made to change or correct
the wheel alignment, the following inspection and
necessary corrections must be made to the vehicle to
ensure proper alignment.
(1) Be sure the fuel tank is full of fuel. If the fuel
tank is not full, the reduction in weight will affect
the curb height of the vehicle and the alignment
specifications.
(2) The passenger and luggage compartments of
the vehicle should be free of any load that is not fac-
tory equipment.
(3) Check the tires on the vehicle. The tires are to
be inflated to the recommended air pressure. All tires
must be the same size and in good condition with
approximately the same tread wear.
(4) Check the front tire and wheel assemblies for
excessive radial runout.
(5) Inspect all suspension component fasteners for
looseness and torque.
(6) Inspect the lower front ball joints and all steer-
ing linkage for looseness and any sign of wear or
damage.
(7) Inspect the rubber bushings on all the suspen-
sion components for signs of wear or deterioration. If
any bushings show signs of wear or deterioration,
they should be replaced prior to aligning the vehicle.
(8) Check vehicle curb height to verify it is within
specifications. Refer to CURB HEIGHT MEASURE-
MENT in this section. If curb height is out of speci-
fications, check for broken or sagged springs.
CURB HEIGHT MEASUREMENT
The wheel alignment is to be checked and all align-
ment adjustments made with the vehicle at its
required curb height specification.
Vehicle height is to be checked with the vehicle on
a flat, level surface, preferably a vehicle alignment
rack. The tires are to be inflated to the recommended
pressure. All tires are to be the same size as stan-
dard equipment. Vehicle height is checked with the
fuel tank full of fuel, and no passenger or luggage
compartment load.
Vehicle height is not adjustable. If the measure-
ment is not within specifications, inspect the vehicle
for bent or weak suspension components. Compare
the parts tag on the suspect coil spring(s) to the
parts book and the vehicle sales code, checking for a
match. Once removed from the vehicle, compare the
coil spring height to a correct new or known good coil
spring. The heights should vary if the suspect spring
is weak.
(1) Measure from the inboard edge of the wheel
opening fender lip directly above the wheel center
(spindle), to the floor or alignment rack surface.
(2) When measuring, maximum left-to-right differ-
ential is not to exceed 20 mm (0.79 in.).
(3) Compare the measurements to specifications
listed in the following CURB HEIGHT SPECIFICA-
TIONS chart.
CURB HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE
FRONT
REAR
ALL
711 mm
6
19 mm
711 mm
6
19 mm
28.0 in.
6
0.75 in.
28.0 in.
6
0.75 in.
WHEEL ALIGNMENT
(1) Position the vehicle on an alignment rack.
(2) Perform
the
PRE-WHEEL
ALIGNMENT
INSPECTION. It can be found elsewhere in this sec-
tion.
(3) Install all required alignment equipment on
the vehicle per the alignment equipment manufactur-
er’s instructions. On this vehicle, a four-wheel align-
ment is recommended.
NOTE: Prior to reading the vehicle’s alignment
readouts, the front and rear of vehicle should be
jounced. Induce jounce (rear first, then front) by
grasping the center of the bumper and jouncing
each end of vehicle an equal number of times. The
bumper should always be released when vehicle is
at the bottom of the jounce cycle.
(4) Read the vehicle’s current front and rear align-
ment settings. Compare the vehicle’s current align-
ment settings to the vehicle specifications for camber,
caster and toe-in. Refer to WHEEL ALIGNMENT
SPECIFICATIONS in this section of this service
manual group.
NOTE: Set the rear wheel alignment first before
proceeding to the front to set the front wheel align-
ment.
(5) If rear camber or toe is not within specifica-
tions, proceed to REAR CAMBER AND TOE below. If
rear camber and toe are within specifications, but
front camber and caster are not, proceed to FRONT
CAMBER AND CASTER which can be found follow-
ing REAR CAMBER AND TOE. If rear camber and
JX
SUSPENSION
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