Dodge Durango (DN). Manual — part 33

LEAF SPRINGS

DESCRIPTION

The rear suspension system uses multi-leaf single

stage springs and a solid drive axle. The forward end
of the springs are mounted to the body rail hangers
through rubber bushings. The rearward end of the
springs are attached to the body by the use of shack-
les. The spring and shackles use rubber bushings.
The bushing help to isolate road noise.

OPERATION

The springs control ride quality and maintain vehi-

cle ride height. The shackles allow the springs to
change their length as the vehicle moves over various
road conditions.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

SPRING AND SHOCK

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 spring eye and shock absorber bushings do not

require any type of lubrication. Do not attempt to
stop spring bushing noise by lubricating them.
Grease and mineral oil-base lubricants will deterio-
rate the bushing rubber.

If the vehicle is used for severe, off-road operation,

the springs should be examined periodically. Check
for broken and shifted leafs, loose and missing clips,
and broken center bolts. Refer to Spring and Shock
Absorber Diagnosis chart for additional information.

SPRING AND SHOCK ABSORBER

CONDITION

POSSIBLE CAUSES

CORRECTION

SPRING SAGS

1. Broken leaf.

1. Replace spring.

2. Spring fatigue.

2. Replace spring.

SPRING NOISE

1. Loose spring clamp bolts.

1. Tighten to specification.

2. Worn bushings.

2. Replace bushings.

3. Worn or missing spring tip inserts.

3. Replace spring tip inserts.

SHOCK NOISE

1. Loose mounting fastener.

1. Tighten to specification.

2. Worn bushings.

2. Replace shock.

3. Leaking shock.

3. Replace shock.

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

SHOCK ABSORBER

REMOVAL

(1) Raise vehicle and support rear axle.
(2) Remove shock absorber lower nut and bolt from

the spring plate (Fig. 2).

(3) Remove shock absorber upper nut and bolt

from the frame bracket and remove the shock
absorber.

INSTALLATION

(1) Install

shock

absorber

into

upper

frame

bracket. Install bolt and nut and tighten nut to 95
N·m (70 ft. lbs.).

(2) Install shock absorber into the spring plate.

Install the bolt and nut and tighten nut to 95 N·m
(70 ft. lbs.).

(3) Remove axle support and lower vehicle.

2 - 24

SUSPENSION

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

STABILIZER BAR

REMOVAL

(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Remove links upper mounting nuts and bolts.
(3) Remove the cotter pins and nuts from the links

at the stabilizer bar.

(4) Separate the links from the stabilizer bar with

Puller C-3894-A and remove the links.

(5) Remove stabilizer bar retainer bolts and retain-

ers (Fig. 3).

(6) Remove stabilizer bar and remove bushings.

INSTALLATION

(1) Install stabilizer bar bushings.
(2) Install the stabilizer bar and center it with

equal spacing on both sides.

(3) Install stabilizer bar retainers and tighten

bolts to 54 N·m (40 ft. lbs.).

(4) Install link on the frame and the stabilizer bar.

Install mounting bolts and nuts.

(5) Remove support and lower vehicle.
(6) Tighten stabilizer link upper nuts to 95 N·m

(70 ft. lbs.).

(7) Tighten stabilizer link lower nuts to 68 N·m

(50 ft. lbs.) and install a new cotter pins.

LEAF SPRINGS

CAUTION: The rear of the vehicle must be lifted
only with a jack or hoist. The lift must be placed
under the frame rail crossmember located aft of the
rear axle. Use care to avoid bending the side rail
flange.

REMOVAL

(1) Raise the vehicle at the frame.
(2) Support the axle to relieve the weight of the

axle from the springs.

(3) Remove the wheel and tire assemblies.
(4) Remove shocks from the spring plates.
(5) Remove the nuts, the U-bolts and spring plate

from the axle (Fig. 4).

(6) Remove the nut and bolt from the front spring

eye.

(7) Remove the nut and bolt form the rear spring

eye.

(8) Remove the spring from the vehicle.
(9) Remove the shackle from the frame bracket.

INSTALLATION

(1) Install shackle on the frame bracket and install

the nut and bolt finger tight.

(2) Position the spring under the rear axle pad.

Make sure the spring center bolt is inserted in the
pad locating hole.

(3) Align front spring eye with the bolt hole in the

front frame bracket. Install the spring eye bolt and
nut and tighten the spring eye nut finger-tight.

(4) Align spring shackle eye with the bolt hole in

the rear frame bracket. Install the bolt and nut and
tighten the spring shackle eye nut finger-tight.

(5) Install the spring seat, U-bolts, spring plate,

and nuts.

(6) Tighten the U-bolt nuts to 122 N·m (90 ft. lbs.).
(7) Install the shocks to the spring plates.
(8) Install the wheel and tire assemblies.

Fig. 2 Shock Absorber

1 – SHOCK
2 – SPRING PLATE

Fig. 3 Stabilizer Bar Mounting

1 – LINK
2 – STABILIZER BAR
3 – RETAINER

SUSPENSION

2 - 25

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(9) Remove the support stands from under the

frame rails. Lower the vehicle until the springs are
supporting the weight of the vehicle.

(10) Tighten the spring eye pivot bolt nut and all

shackle nuts to 115 N·m (85 ft. lbs.).

DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY

SPRING EYE BUSHINGS

DISASSEMBLE

(1) Remove the spring from the vehicle.
(2) Position the spring eye in a press.
(3) Press the bushing out with an appropriate size

driver.

ASSEMBLE

(1) Press new bushing into the spring eye with an

appropriate size driver. The bushing should be cen-
tered in the spring eye.

(2) Install the spring on the vehicle.

SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE CHART

DESCRIPTION

TORQUE

Shock Absorber

Lower Nut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 N·m (70 ft. lbs.)
Upper Nut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 N·m (70 ft. lbs.)

Stabilizer Bar

Link Upper Nut . . . . . . . . . . . 95 N·m (70 ft. lbs.)
Link Lower Nut . . . . . . . . . . . 68 N·m (50 ft. lbs.)
Retainer Bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 N·m (40 ft. lbs.)

Spring

U-Bolt Nuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 N·m (90 ft. lbs.)
Spring Eye Nut . . . . . . . . . . 115 N·m (85 ft. lbs.)
Spring Shackle Nuts . . . . . . 115 N·m (85 ft. lbs.)

Jounce Bumper

Bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 N·m (45 ft. lbs.)

SPECIAL TOOLS

REAR SUSPENSION

Fig. 4 Leaf Spring

1 – U-BOLTS
2 – SHACKLE
3 – SPRING
4 – SPRING PLATE

Puller C-3894-A

2 - 26

SUSPENSION

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE

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