Dodge Durango (DN). Manual — part 31

(2) Mount a dial indicator solidly on the upper sus-

pension arm.

(3) Position the indicator plunger against the back

side of the upper ball joint boss of the steering
knuckle (Fig. 3).

(4) Grasp the top of the tire and pull outward,

then zero the dial indicator.

(5) Grasp the top of the tire and push inward and

record the dial indicator reading.

(6) If lateral movement is greater than 1.52 mm

(0.060 in.), replace upper suspension arm.

SHOCK DIAGNOSIS

A knocking or rattling noise from a shock absorber

may be caused by movement between mounting
bushings and metal brackets or attaching compo-
nents. These noises can usually be stopped by tight-
ening the attaching nuts. If the noise persists,
inspect for damaged and worn bushings, and attach-
ing components. Repair as necessary if any of these
conditions exist.

A squeaking noise from the shock absorber may be

caused by the hydraulic valving and may be intermit-
tent. This condition is not repairable and the shock
absorber must be replaced.

The shock absorbers are not refillable or adjust-

able. If a malfunction occurs, the shock absorber
must be replaced. To test a shock absorber, hold it in
an upright position and force the piston in and out of
the cylinder four or five times. The action throughout
each stroke should be smooth and even.

The shock absorber bushings do not require any

type of lubrication. Do not attempt to stop bushing
noise by lubricating them. Grease and mineral oil-
base lubricants will deteriorate the bushing.

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

SHOCK ABSORBER

REMOVAL

(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Remove the upper shock absorber nut, retainer

and grommet (Fig. 4).

(3) Remove the lower bolt and remove the shock

absorber.

INSTALLATION

NOTE: Upper shock nut must be replaced or use
Mopar Lock ’N Seal or Loctite

T

242 on existing nut.

(1) Install the lower retainer (lower retainer is

stamped with a L) and grommet on the shock
absorber stud. Insert the shock absorber through the
frame bracket hole.

(2) Install the lower bolt and tighten the bolt to

108 N·m (80 ft. lbs.).

(3) Install the upper grommet, retainer (upper

retainer is stamped with a U) and new nut or use
Mopar Lock ’N Seal or Loctite

t 242 on existing nut,

on the shock absorber stud. Tighten nut to 26 N·m
(19 ft. lbs.).

Fig. 2 Lower Ball Joint Boss

1 – BALL JOINT BOSS
2 – STEERING KNUCKLE
3 – DIAL INDICATOR

Fig. 3 Upper Ball Joint Boss

1 – DIAL INDICATOR
2 – BALL JOINT BOSS

2 - 16

SUSPENSION

DN

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

TORSION BAR

CAUTION: The left and right side torsion bars are
NOT interchangeable. The bars are identified and
stamped R or L, for right or left. The bars do not
have a front or rear end and can be installed with
either end facing forward.

REMOVAL

(1) Raise and support the vehicle with the front

suspension hanging.

(2) Turn the adjustment bolt counterclockwise to

release spring load (Fig. 5).

NOTE: Count and record the number of turns for
installation reference.

(3) Remove the adjustment bolt from swivel.
(4) Remove torsion bar and anchor. Remove anchor

from torsion bar.

(5) Remove all foreign material from torsion bar

mounting in anchor and suspension arm.

(6) Inspect adjustment bolt, bearing and swivel for

damage.

INSTALLATION

(1) Insert torsion bar ends into anchor and suspen-

sion arm.

(2) Position anchor and bearing in frame cross-

member. Install adjustment bolt through bearing,
anchor and into the swivel.

(3) Turn adjustment bolt clockwise the recorded

amount of turns.

(4) Lower vehicle and adjust the front suspension

height. Refer to Suspension Height service procedure.

STEERING KNUCKLE

REMOVAL

(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Remove wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove brake caliper, rotor, shield and ABS

wheel speed sensor if equipped. Refer to Group 5
Brakes.

(4) Remove front driveshaft, refer to Group 3 Dif-

ferential and Driveline.

(5) Remove tie rod end cotter pin and nut. Sepa-

rate the tie rod from the knuckle with Remover
MB-991113 (Fig. 6).

(6) Support the lower suspension arm with a

hydraulic jack and raise the jack to unload the
rebound bumper.

(7) Remove the upper ball joint cotter pin and nut.

Separate the ball joint from the knuckle with
Remover MB-991113 (Fig. 7).

CAUTION: When installing Remover MB-991113 to
separate the ball joint, be careful not to damage the
ball joint seal.

Fig. 4 Shock Absorber

1 – NUT
2 – RETAINER
3 – GROMMET
4 – SHOCK

Fig. 5 Torsion Bar

1 – SWIVEL
2 – ANCHOR
3 – BEARING
4 – ADJUSTMENT BOLT
5 – TORSION BAR
6 – LOWER SUSPENSION ARM

DN

SUSPENSION

2 - 17

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(8) Remove the lower ball joint cotter pin and nut.

Separate the ball joint from the knuckle with
Remover C-4150A (Fig. 8) and remove the knuckle.

(9) Remove the hub/bearing from the steering

knuckle.

INSTALLATION

(1) Install the hub/bearing to the steering knuckle

and tighten the bolts to 166 N·m (123 ft. lbs.).

NOTE: When

installing

hub/bearing

with

ABS

brakes, position the speed sensor opening towards
the front of the vehicle.

(2) Install the knuckle onto the upper and lower

ball joint.

CAUTION: The ball joint stud tapers must be
CLEAN and DRY before installing the knuckle.
Clean the stud tapers with mineral spirits to remove
dirt and grease.

(3) Install the upper and lower ball joint nuts.

Tighten the upper ball joint nut to 81 N·m (60 ft.
lbs.) and the lower ball joint nut to 183 N·m (135 ft.
lbs.) then install cotter pins. Grease the lower ball
joint.

(4) Remove the hydraulic jack from the lower sus-

pension arm.

(5) Install the tie rod end and tighten the nut to

88 N·m (65 ft. lbs.). Install the cotter pin.

(6) Install the front driveshaft, refer to Group 3

Differential and Driveline.

(7) Install the ABS wheel speed sensor if equipped

and brake shield, rotor and caliper. Refer to Group 5
Brakes.

(8) Install the wheel and tire assembly.
(9) Remove support and lower the vehicle.

LOWER SUSPENSION ARM

REMOVAL

(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove front driveshaft, refer to Group 3 Dif-

ferential & Driveline.

(4) Remove torsion bar.
(5) Remove shock absorber lower bolt.
(6) Remove stabilizer bar.
(7) Remove the cotter pin and nut from lower ball

joint. Separate ball joint from the steering knuckle
with Remover C-4150A (Fig. 9).

(8) Remove suspension arm pivot bolts and sus-

pension arm from frame rail brackets (Fig. 10).

Fig. 6 Tie Rod End

1 – STEERING KNUCKLE
2 – REMOVER
3 – TIE ROD END

Fig. 7 Upper Ball Joint

1 – UPPER BALL STUD
2 – REMOVER

Fig. 8 Lower Ball Joint

1 – REMOVER
2 – LOWER BALL STUD

2 - 18

SUSPENSION

DN

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(9) Inspect lower ball joint seal and replace if dam-

aged. Pry off old seal with screw driver if necessary.

INSTALLATION

(1) Install new lower ball joint seal by tapping on

around the seal flange lightly with a hammer.

(2) Position the lower suspension arm at the frame

rail brackets. Install the pivot bolts and nuts.
Tighten the nuts finger-tight.

(3) Insert the ball joint into steering knuckle.

Install and tighten the retaining nut to 183 N·m (135
ft. lbs.) and install a new cotter pin.

CAUTION: The ball joint stud taper must be CLEAN
and DRY before installing the knuckle. Clean the
stud taper with mineral spirits to remove dirt and
grease.

(4) Install the torsion bar.
(5) Install shock absorber lower bolt and tighten to

108 N·m (80 ft. lbs.).

(6) Install the front driveshaft. Refer to Group 3

Differential & Driveline.

(7) Install the wheel and tire assembly.
(8) Remove support and lower the vehicle.
(9) Install the stabilizer bar.
(10) Tighten the lower suspension front pivot nut

to 108 N·m (80 ft. lbs.). Tighten rear pivot bolt to 190
N·m (140 ft. lbs.).

(11) Adjust the front suspension height.

UPPER SUSPENSION ARM

REMOVAL

(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Remove wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove brake hose brackets from suspension

arm, refer to Group 5 Brakes.

(4) Position hydraulic jack under lower suspension

arm and raise jack to unload rebound bumper.

(5) Remove shock absorber.
(6) Remove the cotter pin and nut from upper ball

joint.

(7) Separate upper ball joint from the steering

knuckle with Remover MB-991113 (Fig. 11).

CAUTION: When installing Remover MB-991113 to
separate the ball joint, be careful not to damage the
ball joint seal.

(8) Remove suspension arm pivot bar bolts and

remove suspension arm (Fig. 12).

Fig. 9 Lower Ball Joint

1 – REMOVER
2 – LOWER BALL STUD

Fig. 10 Lower Suspension Arm

1 – PIVOT BOLTS
2 – LOWER SUSPENSION ARM

Fig. 11 Separate Upper Ball Joint

1 – UPPER BALL STUD
2 – REMOVER

DN

SUSPENSION

2 - 19

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)