Town & Country Van AWD V6-230 3.8L VIN L SMFI (1998)
12. Loosen and remove the pivot bolt from the front mount of the rear leaf spring.
Installation
CAUTION: Pivot bolt must face inboard to prevent structural damage during installation of spring.
1. Install the front of the rear leaf spring into the spring mount. Install the pivot bolt and nut. Do not tighten the pivot bolt at this time.
2. Position the front spring mount for the rear leaf spring against the floor pan of the vehicle. Install the 4 mounting bolts for the spring mount.
Tighten the 4 mounting bolts to a torque of 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.).
3. Install the rear of the leaf spring onto the outer half of the rear hanger. Install the inner half of the rear hanger. Install the nut and bolts on the rear
hanger but do not tighten at this time.
4. Raise axle assembly into correct position with axle centered under spring locator post.
5. Install axle plate bolts. Tighten bolts to 108 Nm (80 ft. lbs.) torque.
6. Install shock absorber bolts. Do not tighten.
7. Lower vehicle to floor and with full weight of vehicle on wheels. Tighten component fasteners as follows:
CAUTION: The following sequence must be followed when tightening the pin nuts on the rear hanger for the rear leaf spring. First the hanger pin
nuts must be tightened to the specified torque shown below. Then tighten the retaining bolts for the inner to outer half of the spring hanger to the
torque specification listed below. This sequence must be followed to properly seat the bushings into the springs and to avoid bending the spring
hanger.
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Front pivot bolt: 156 Nm (115 ft. lbs.)
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Rear spring hanger pin nuts: 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.)
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Rear spring hanger inner to outer half retaining bolts: 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.)
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Shock absorber upper mounting bolt: 115 Nm (85 ft. lbs.)
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Shock absorber lower mounting bolt: 108 Nm (80 ft. lbs.)
8. If the vehicle is not equipped with antilock brakes, raise vehicle and connect the actuator for the height sensing proportioning valve on the rear leaf
spring. Adjust the height sensing proportioning valve. Refer to Brakes and Traction Control.