Dakota 4WD V8-4.7L VIN N (2000)
CAUTION:
THE LEFT AND RIGHT TORSION BARS ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. THE BARS ARE IDENTIFIED AND STAMPED R AND L, FOR
RIGHT AND LEFT. THE TORSION BARS DO NOT HAVE A FRONT OR REAR END AND CAN BE INSTALLED WITH EITHER END
FACING FORWARD.
6.
Remove the torsion bar and anchor. Then, remove the anchor from the torsion bar.
7.
Remove all foreign material from the torsion bar mounting in the lower suspension arm.
8.
Insert the torsion bar ends into the suspension arm and the new torsion bar anchor p/n 52038973.
9.
Position the torsion bar anchor and the bearing into the frame crossmember. Install the adjustment bolt through the bearing, the anchor, and into
the swivel.
10.
Turn the adjustment bolt clockwise the recorded amount of turns.
11.
Perform Steps 4 through 10 on the other side of the vehicle.
12.
If so equipped, install the rear skid plate by attaching the rear of the skid plate with the two attaching bolts. Install the front skid plate by attaching
the rear of the skid plate with the two bolts and the front of the skid plate with the three bolts. Tighten all bolts to 23 Nm (17 ft. lbs.).
NOTE:
THE REAR BOLTS OF THE FRONT SKID PLATE ALSO SECURES THE FRONT OF THE REAR SKID PLATE.
13.
Inspect all four tires for the correct size and air pressure.
14.
Lower the vehicle.
15.
Move the vehicle to an alignment rack and then jounce the front of the vehicle.
16.
With the vehicle on a level alignment rack, measure and record the distance between the alignment rack and the center of the lower suspension arm
rear mounting bolt head (Fig. 2).
17.
Measure and record the distance between the alignment rack and the center of the front wheel (Fig. 2).
18.
Subtract the first measurement from the second measurement. The difference between the two measurements should be 73 mm (2.9 in.) +/- 3 mm
(0.120 in.) for (DN) Durango and 40.5 mm (1.60 in.) for (R1) Dakota (International Market).
19.
If the vehicle needs to have the suspension height adjusted, turn the torsion bar adjustment bolt clockwise to raise the vehicle or counterclockwise
to lower the vehicle.
NOTE:
ALWAYS RAISE THE VEHICLE TO THE CORRECT SUSPENSION HEIGHT, NEVER LOWER THE VEHICLE TO OBTAIN THE
CORRECT SUSPENSION HEIGHT. IF THE VEHICLE SUSPENSION HEIGHT IS TOO HIGH, LOWER THE VEHICLE BELOW THE
HEIGHT SPECIFICATION. THEN, RAISE THE VEHICLE TO THE CORRECT SUSPENSION HEIGHT SPECIFICATION. THIS WILL
ENSURE THE VEHICLE MAINTAINS THE PROPER SUSPENSION HEIGHT. IN ADDITION, IF A HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT HAS BEEN
MADE, MEASURE THE SUSPENSION HEIGHT AGAIN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE.
20.
Perform a front wheel alignment check on the vehicle. Refer to the appropriate Service Manual, Group 02 for information regarding Wheel
Alignment.
