Chrysler Stratus Convertible. Manual — part 59

Receiver, Ball Joint 6756

Installer, Bushing 6760

Remover/Installer Control Arm Clevis Bushing 6877

Installer, Ball Joint Seal Boot Retainer 6875

Remover, Tie Rod End MB-991113 or MB-990635

Remover, Lower Ball Joint C-4150A

JX

SUSPENSION

2 - 45

SPECIAL TOOLS (Continued)

REAR SUSPENSION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

page

page

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SHOCK ASSEMBLY (REAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
KNUCKLE (REAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
HUB AND BEARING (REAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
UPPER CONTROL ARM (REAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
LATERAL LINKS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
TRAILING LINK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
STABILIZER BAR (REAR). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

SHOCK ASSEMBLY (REAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
KNUCKLE (REAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
HUB AND BEARING (REAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
UPPER CONTROL ARM (REAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
BALL JOINT (REAR UPPER) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
LATERAL LINKS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
TRAILING LINK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
STABILIZER BAR (REAR). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

SERVICE PROCEDURES

LUBRICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS . . . . . . . . 50
SHOCK ASSEMBLY (REAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
KNUCKLE (REAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
HUB AND BEARING (REAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
UPPER CONTROL ARM (REAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
LATERAL LINKS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
TRAILING LINK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
STABILIZER BAR (REAR). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY

SHOCK ASSEMBLY (REAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
BALL JOINT (REAR UPPER) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

SPECIFICATIONS

REAR SUSPENSION FASTENER TORQUE

SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

SPECIAL TOOLS

REAR SUSPENSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

The rear suspension used on this vehicle is a fully

independent short and long arm style suspension
(Fig. 1).

Each side of the rear suspension consists of these

major components:

• a shock assembly

• a knuckle

• an upper control arm

• two lateral links

• a trailing link

• a stabilizer bar

OPERATION

The rear suspension allows each rear wheel on

vehicle to adapt to different road surfaces and condi-
tions without affecting the control of the vehicle.
Each side of the suspension is allowed to move inde-
pendently from the other.

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SUSPENSION

JX

Fig.

1

Fully

Independent

Rear

Suspension

JX

SUSPENSION

2 - 47

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

SHOCK ASSEMBLY (REAR)

DESCRIPTION

The rear shock absorber assemblies support the

weight of the vehicle using coil springs positioned
around the shock absorbers. The coil springs are con-
tained between the upper mount of the shock
absorber and a lower spring seat on the body of the
shock absorber.

The top of each shock absorber assembly is bolted

to the top of the inner fender through a rubber iso-
lated mount.

The

bottom

of

the

shock

absorber

assembly

attaches to the rear knuckle using a through-bolt.

The rear coil springs are rated separately for each

corner or side of the vehicle depending on optional
equipment and type of vehicle service. Coil springs
come in a various rates; be sure the correct spring is
in use.

The components of the shock assembly listed below

are serviceable:

• Shock rod nut

• Shock mount

• Shock rod bushings

• Upper spring isolator

• Dust shield

• Cup

• Jounce bumper

• Lower spring isolator

• Coil spring

• Strut

OPERATION

The shock absorber assembly cushions the ride of

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

The coil spring controls ride quality and maintains

ride height.

The jounce bumper limits suspension travel and

metal-to-metal contact under full jounce.

The shock absorber dampens jounce and rebound

motions of the coil spring and suspension.

KNUCKLE (REAR)

DESCRIPTION

A cast iron rear knuckle is attached to each side of

the vehicle through the upper control arm and ball
joint, the rear shock assembly, the lateral links and
the trailing link. The knuckle serves as a mounting
point for the rear hub and bearing, tire and wheel,
and rear brakes.

OPERATION

The knuckle moves up and down with the tire and

wheel under jounce and rebound conditions while
acting as a mount for the rear hub and bearing, tire
and wheel, and rear brakes. The lateral movement of
the rear knuckle is controlled using two lateral arms
attached to the bottom of the knuckle and by the
upper control arm attached to the top of the knuckle.

HUB AND BEARING (REAR)

DESCRIPTION

The hub and bearing is a combined rear wheel hub

and wheel bearing unit. All vehicles are equipped
with permanently lubricated and sealed for life rear
hub and bearing assemblies. There is no periodic
lubrication or maintenance recommended for these
units.

The hub and bearing is mounted to the rear knuck-

le’s spindle using a retaining nut. The tire and wheel
assembly, and rear brake drum or disc attaches to
the studs protruding from the hub flange with wheel
mounting studs.

1 – KNUCKLE
2 – REAR LATERAL LINK
3 – REAR SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER
4 – UPPER CONTROL ARM PIVOT BAR
5 – UPPER CONTROL ARM
6 – REAR LATERAL LINK
7 – REAR KNUCKLE
8 – TRAILING LINK

9 – TRAILING LINK BRACKET
10 – FORWARD LATERAL LINK
11 – STABILIZER BAR
12 – TRAILING LINK
13 – TRAILING LINK BRACKET
14 – STABILIZER BAR ATTACHING LINK
15 – FORWARD LATERAL ARM
16 – UPPER CONTROL ARM

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SUSPENSION

JX

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)