Chrysler PT Cruiser, Service & Repair Manual, Page: 1294 / 2078

torque of 250 N·m (185 ft. lbs.), then tighten the four
remaining crossmember mounting bolts to a torque of
153 N·m (120 ft. lbs.).
(5) Tighten the lower control arm front pivot bolts
to a torque of 163 N·m (120 ft. lbs.).
(6) Remove the wire or bungee cord suspending
the power steering gear to the underbody.
(7) Attach the steering gear to the front suspen-
sion crossmember (Fig. 15) . Install the four power
steering gear mounting bolts. Tighten the mounting
bolts to a torque of 61 N·m (45 ft. lbs.).
(8) Install the two screws securing the cooler to
the front suspension crossmember. They are located
behind the cooler.
(9) Install each ball joint stud into the steering
knuckle aligning the bolt hole in the knuckle boss
with the notch formed in the side of the ball joint
stud.
(10) Install a new ball joint stud pinch bolt and
nut (Fig. 13) . Tighten the nut to a torque of 95 N·m
(70 ft. lbs.).
(11) Fasten the engine torque strut to the right
forward corner of the front suspension crossmember
using its mounting bolt (Fig. 16) . Follow the proce-
dure described in the ENGINE service manual area
to properly align and tighten the torque strut and it’s
mounting bolts.
(12) Install the washer on the end of the stud
extending from the torque strut bolt (Fig. 16) .
(13) Install the pencil strut to the right front cor-
ner of the crossmember and body of the vehicle (Fig.
16) . Tighten the pencil strut nuts to a torque of 58
N·m (43 ft. lbs.).
(14) Install the drive-belt splash shield and fasten-
ers (Fig. 17) .
(15) Install the screws fastening the front fascia to
the reinforcement (Fig. 17) .
NOTE: Before installing the stabilizer bar, make
sure the bar is not upside-down. The stabilizer bar
must be installed with the curve on the outboard
ends of the bar facing downward to clear the con-
trol arms once fully installed (Fig. 19) .
(16) First, place the stabilizer bar in position on
the front suspension crossmember. The slits in each
cushion must point toward the front of the vehicle
and sit directly on top of the raised beads formed
into the stamping on the crossmember. Next, install
the cushion retainers, matching the raised beads
formed into the cushion retainers to the grooves
formed into the cushions. Install the cushion retainer
bolts, but do not completely tighten them at this
time.
(17) Install both stabilizer bar links back on vehi-
cle (Fig. 12) . Start each stabilizer bar link bolt with
bushing from the bottom, through the stabilizer bar,
inner link bushings, lower control arm, and into the
upper retainer/nut and bushing. Do not fully tighten
the link assemblies at this time.
(18) Install the tire and wheel assemblies back on
vehicle. Tighten the wheel mounting nuts to 135 N·m
(100 ft. lbs.) torque.
(19) Lower the vehicle.
NOTE: It may be necessary to put the vehicle on a
platform hoist or alignment rack to gain access to
the stabilizer bar mounting bolts with the vehicle at
curb height.
(20) Tighten each stabilizer bar link by holding the
upper retainer/nut with a wrench and turning the
link bolt. Tighten each link bolt to a torque of 28
N·m (250 in. lbs.).
(21) Tighten the stabilizer bar cushion retainer
bolts to a torque of 28 N·m (250 in. lbs.).
(22) Check the front wheel alignment on the vehi-
cle. Refer to WHEEL ALIGNMENT in the SUSPEN-
SION service manual area.
Fig. 19 Downward Curve
1 - STABILIZER BAR
2 - LINK
3 - DOWNWARD CURVE
4 - CUSHION RETAINER
13 - 12 FRAMES & BUMPERS
PT
FRONT CROSSMEMBER (Continued)