I went into my local NTB the other day to gat an alignment done on the Crossfire... it’s pulling to the right slightly. When they tell me I'm all set I assume that was it, that was not it. They told me that the two bolts that hold the lower control arm in place need to be replaced on the passenger side in order to perform a proper alignment.

"Adjustment requires the use of an adjustment bolt package which contains 2 special bolts identified by offset grooves cut into the thread sections. These bolts are designed to replace the inboard mounting bolts of the lower control arm(s) and can be installed in two positions allowing for camber and/or caster adjustment"

Should these need to be replaced at only 11,700 miles!? If this is true and I need to replace these bolts does anyone have a part number... either MB or Chrysler?

Sidenote: I told my dealer this and they said that NTB probably doesn’t know what they are doing… NTB did however know it was mostly Mercedes.

I'm going to have the dealer look at it to see what they say.

 

yeah... in this case i would trust the dealers advice & experience... not ntb.

sounds like a tech is out to make a quick buck.

please keep us up-to-date.

 

xFire2005, Thank you for clearing that up!

Is this something that would be under warrenty? Due to the fact that there's only 11,700 miles on it...

If not does anyone have a part number for me?

THANKS AGAIN!

 

No, that would not be covered under warranty as it would be considered as part of normal maintenance (alignment).

 

Yeah, that's what I thought...

 

xfire2005, what are we looking at in the 1st figure in your post? Those look like drum brakes to me. The 2nd figure (Figure 1) looks like a removable hardtop. Can you please post the page numbers out of the service manual that you are quoting?

 

Parts order should be in Tuesday night... I order 4 of them.

Chamber Adjustment Bolt/Adjustment Kit
Part #: 5140876aa
Cost (per bolt): $14

Or $10 plus shipping from http://www.chryslerpartsdirect.com/

EDIT:
You will need two bolts per side; a total of four bolts for the front end only!
The rear does not require these bolts... to my understanding.

 

It looks like the post got corrupted. I will repost it again.

This material is not from the service manual.

 

Sorry everyone. When i posted this in the morning it posted fine along with the correct images.
For some reason, this afternoon the site will not post the images (I have tried 4 times).
Read the following for the textual description of the alignment "repair" bolts.

Sorry Andrew, but NTB is correct in installing and charging you for the bolts. The factory apparently does not install these bolts which need to be installed to properly adjust your alignment. This is not an uncommon occurrence when doing the first alignment on a number of vehicles.

As usual, it appears that the dealer service department does not know what they are talking about when it comes to Crossfires.

[COLOR=windowtext]In the following documentation I have highlighted the bolts in RED.

Checking and Adjusting Front Axle Camber and Caster
CHECKING AND ADJUSTING FRONT AXLE CAMBER AND CASTER

CHECKING

1. Observe the general information on chassis alignment check.
2. Check the vehicle level at the front and rear axles.
3. Check the vehicle level at the front and rear axles with an electronic clinometer and adjust if necessary.
4. Check the camber and assign to tabular value. Note:[FONT=&quot] Measure with the
5. Check the caster and assign to tabular value.

ADJUSTING

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Cover all the attached parts remaining in the vehicle. (area to be repaired) WARNING: RISK OF INJURY WITH TRAPPED OR CRUSHED FINGERS WHEN WORKING ON SPRINGS OR SPRING-LOADED COMPONENTS.CAUTION: Use only approved tensioning devices; additionally shield off hazardous area if necessary. Inspect special tools for damage and proper operation (visual inspection). Wear protective gloves. Note: Inspect for prior installation of the alignment bolt.

[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/xxxxxx/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image001.gif[/IMG]

1. For camber, compress the front spring (1).
2. Install the repair bolt (2). Screw on the nut from the repair kit as far as it will go, but do not tighten it so that the rubber mount on the wishbone can turn when the suspension is compressed and rebounded.
3. Release the front spring (1).
4. Lower the vehicle and settle the suspension by pulling and pushing firmly several times. Note: Inspect for prior installation of the alignment bolt.

[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/xxxxxxxx/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.gif[/IMG]

1. For caster, compress the front spring (2).
2. Install the repair bolt (1). Screw on the nut from the repair kit as far as it will go, but do not tighten it so that the rubber mount on the wishbone can turn when the suspension is compressed and rebounded.
3. Release the front spring (2).
4. Lower the vehicle and settle the suspension by pulling and pushing firmly several times. Note: The vehicle level must correlate with the dimension established on the initial measurement.
5. Recheck the vehicle level at the front axle after adjusting the camber and caster.

Note: After repairing, the adjusting screw must not be turned by the shims, and must be countered when tightening the hexagon nut.

1. Tighten the nut from the repair kit to 120 Nm (88 ft. lbs.)
2. Adjust the rear axle toe.
3. Adjust the front axle toe.

 

xfire2005,
So I should not need to purchase these bolts again? For a while anyways...

Would these allow me to properly adjust the alignment after lowering spring were installed?

Or would I need a separate adjustment kit?

Thanks for everything!

 

You will not have to purchase them again.

Can't answer about them after installing lowering springs, but my guess is yes.

Your welcome, anytime.