Chrysler Stratus Convertible. Manual - part 50

using rubber isolation bushings to an aluminum cast-
ing which is attached to the shock tower using 4
mounting bolts. This aluminum casting is also used
as the upper mount for the front shock/coil spring
assembly. The shock absorber assembly is also iso-
lated from the aluminum bracket using a 2 piece rub-
ber bushing design. The lower control arm is
mounted to the vehicle’s front suspension crossmem-
ber using 2 through bolts per control arm. The lower
control arm is also isolated from the vehicle using 2
rubber bushings of unique design for the front and
rear mounting location. The bottom of the shock
absorber is mounted to the lower control arm by a
clevis bracket which is part of the shock absorber

assembly. The clevis bracket is mounted to and iso-
lated from the lower control arm using a rubber iso-
lation bushing and a through-bolt. The front steering
knuckle is mounted to the vehicle by a ball joint
located in the upper and lower control arms.

A sealed for life front hub and bearing assembly is

attached to the front steering knuckle. The outer C/V
joint assembly is splined to the front hub and bear-
ing assembly and is retained by a nut, nut retainer
and cotter pin.

OPERATION

The front suspension allows each front wheel on

vehicle to adapt to different road surfaces and condi-
tions without affecting the control of the vehicle.
Each side of the front suspension is allowed to move
independently from the other. Both sides of the front
suspension are allowed to pivot so the vehicle can be
steered in the direction preferred. Steering of the
vehicle is provided by a rack and pinion steering gear
which is connected directly to each steering knuckle
by an outer tie rod.

SUSPENSION

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SHOCK ASSEMBLY (FRONT)

DESCRIPTION

The front shock assembly and suspension of the

vehicle is supported by coil springs positioned around
shock absorbers. The springs are contained between
an upper seat located in the upper mounting bracket
and a lower spring seat on the shock absorber.

The top of each shock absorber is bolted to a cast

shock absorber/upper control arm bracket which is
bolted to the shock tower of the vehicle using 4
mounting bolts.

The bottom of the shock absorber attaches to a cle-

vis bracket using a pinch bolt. The clevis bracket
attaches to the lower control arm of the vehicle using
a through-bolt and prevailing torque nut.

A coil spring is housed within each shock assembly.

Coil springs are rated separately for each corner or
side of the vehicle depending on optional equipment

and type of vehicle service. If the coil springs require
replacement, be sure that the springs needing
replacement, are replaced with springs meeting the
correct load rating and spring rate for the vehicle
and its specific options.

The components of the shock assembly listed below

are serviceable if found to be defective (Fig. 2) :

• Upper mounting bracket

• Upper spring isolator

• Dust shield

• Cup

• Jounce bumper

• Coil spring

• Shock absorber

• Lower spring isolator
The shock absorber/upper control arm mounting

bracket also provides a pivotal mounting point for
the upper control arm.

Fig. 1 Front Suspension Components

1 – UPPER CONTROL ARM
2 – FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER
3 – STABILIZER BAR
4 – HUB AND BEARING

5 – STEERING KNUCKLE
6 – LOWER CONTROL ARM
7 – STRUT ASSEMBLY

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SUSPENSION

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

OPERATION

The shock absorber assembly cushions the ride of

the vehicle, controlling vibration, and jounce and
rebound of the suspension.

The coil spring controls ride quality and maintains

proper ride height.

The spring isolators isolate the coil spring at the

top and bottom from coming into metal-to-metal con-
tact with the upper mounting bracket and shock
absorber.

The jounce bumper limits suspension travel and

metal-to-metal contact under full jounce condition.

The shock absorber dampens jounce and rebound

motions of the coil spring and suspension.

STEERING KNUCKLE

DESCRIPTION

The steering knuckle is a single casting with legs

machined for attachment to the vehicle’s upper and
lower control arm ball joints. The steering knuckle
also has machined abutments on the casting to sup-
port and align the front brake caliper assembly. The
knuckle also holds the front drive shaft outer C/V
joint hub and bearing assembly. The hub is posi-
tioned through the bearing and knuckle, with the
constant velocity stub shaft splined through the hub.
The outer C/V joint is retained to the hub and bear-
ing assembly using a nut, nut lock and cotter pin.

OPERATION

The steering knuckle pivots between the upper and

lower ball joints. The steering gear outer tie rod end
connects to the trailing end of each knuckle, allowing
the vehicle to be steered.

The center of the knuckle supports the hub and

bearing and axle shaft.

HUB AND BEARING (FRONT)

DESCRIPTION

The bearing used on the front hub of this vehicle is

the combined hub and bearing unit type assembly.
This unit combines the front wheel mounting hub
(flange) and the front wheel bearing into a one piece
unit. The hub and bearing assembly is mounted to
the steering knuckle and is retained by three mount-
ing bolts accessible from the back of the steering
knuckle. The hub and bearing unit is not serviceable
and must be replaced as an assembly if the bearing
or the hub is determined to be defective. The wheel
mounting studs used to mount the tire and wheel to
the vehicle are the only replaceable components of
the hub and bearing assembly.

OPERATION

The hub and bearing has internal bearings that

allow the hub to rotate with the driveshaft and tire
and wheel.

UPPER CONTROL ARM (FRONT)

DESCRIPTION

The upper control arm is a high strength steel

stamping. The upper control arm uses the 2 rubber
bushings of the upper control arm/shock absorber
mounting bracket to isolate it from the mounting
bracket and the body of the vehicle. The upper con-
trol arm is bolted to the top of the steering knuckle
through the upper ball joint.

Fig. 2 Shock Assembly Components

1 – SHOCK ABSORBER ROD BUSHING
2 – UPPER CONTROL ARM
3 – RETAINER WASHER
4 – COIL SPRING
5 – SHOCK ABSORBER
6 – LOWER SPRING ISOLATOR
7 – JOUNCE BUMPER
8 – DUST SHIELD
9 – CUP
10 – UPPER SPRING ISOLATOR
11 – UPPER MOUNTING BRACKET

SUSPENSION

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DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

OPERATION

The upper control arm supports the upper end of

the steering knuckle and allows for the up and down
movement of the suspension during the jounce and
rebound travel.

BALL JOINT (FRONT UPPER)

DESCRIPTION

The ball joint is pressed into the upper control arm

and has a tapered stud for attachment to the steer-
ing knuckle. The ball joint stud is attached and
locked into the steering knuckle using a castle nut
and cotter pin. The ball joint is not serviceable as a
separate component of the upper control arm. If the
ball joint is defective it will require replacement of
the entire upper control arm.

OPERATION

The ball joint is a pivotal joint that allows the

knuckle to move up and down and turn with ease.

LOWER CONTROL ARM

DESCRIPTION

The lower control arm is a ductile iron casting

using 2 rubber bushings to isolate it from the front
suspension crossmember and body of the vehicle. The
isolator bushings consist of 2 metal encased rubber
isolated pivot bushings. The front of the lower control
arm is bolted to the front crossmember using a bolt
through the center of the rubber pivot bushing. The
rear of the lower control arm is mounted to the front
suspension crossmember using a through-bolt. The
lower control arms are inter-connected through a
linked rubber isolated sway bar.

OPERATION

The lower control arm supports the lower end of

the steering knuckle and allows for the up and down
movement of the suspension during the jounce and
rebound travel. It also provides a lower mounting
point for the shock assembly.

BALL JOINT (LOWER)

DESCRIPTION

The ball joint used in the lower control arm of this

vehicle is a sealed for life ball joint. The ball joint
can not be replaced as a separate component of the
lower control arm assembly. If the ball joint is deter-
mined to be defective it will require replacement of
the complete lower control arm assembly.

. The lower ball joint connection to the steering

knuckle is achieved by an interference fit created by
the tapered stud of the ball joint and a tapered hole

in the steering knuckle. The ball joint stud is
retained in the steering knuckle using a castle nut
and a cotter pin. The cotter pin is used for positive
retention of the castle nut.

The lower ball joint is lubricated for life at the

time it is assembled in the lower control arm.

NOTE: The ball joint does not require any type of
additional lubrication for the life of the vehicle. No
attempt should be made to ever add any lubrication
to the lower ball joint.

OPERATION

The ball joint is a pivotal joint that allows the

knuckle to move up and down, and turn with ease.

STABILIZER BAR (FRONT)

DESCRIPTION

The stabilizer bar interconnects both front lower

control arms of the vehicle and is attached to the
front suspension cradle and the underbody of the
vehicle.

Attachment of the stabilizer bar to the front sus-

pension cradle is through 2 rubber-isolator bushings
and bushing retainers. The stabilizer bar to lower
control arm attachment is done utilizing a ball joint
type, stabilizer bar attaching link. All parts of the
stabilizer bar are replaceable as individual compo-
nents, and the bushings attaching the stabilizer bar
to crossmember are split for easy removal and instal-
lation.

OPERATION

Jounce and rebound movements affecting one

wheel are partially transmitted to the opposite wheel
of the vehicle to stabilize body roll through the stabi-
lizer bar.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

SHOCK ASSEMBLY (FRONT)

(1) Inspect for damaged or broken coil springs

(Fig. 3).

(2) Inspect for torn or damaged shock absorber

dust boots (Fig. 3).

(3) Lift the dust boot and inspect the shock

absorber for evidence of fluid running from the upper
end of fluid reservoir. (Actual leakage will be a
stream of fluid running down the side and dripping
off the lower end of the shock absorber). A slight
amount of seepage between the shock absorber rod
and the seal is not unusual and does not affect per-
formance of the shock absorber. Also inspect jounce
bumpers for signs of damage or deterioration (Fig. 3).

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SUSPENSION

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

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