Front Suspension: Overview Dodge Durango II

The front suspension is designed to allow each wheel to adapt to different road surfaces independently. The wheels are mounted to hub/bearings units bolted to the steering knuckle. The double-row hub bearings are sealed and lubricated for life. The steering knuckles turn (pivot) on ball joints.

The front suspension is comprised of

1. Shock absorbers
2. Torsion bar
3. Control arms
4. Steering knuckles
5. Stabilizer bar
6. Stabilizer link
7. Tie Rod Ends
8. Hub/Bearing
9. Rack & Pinion
10. Ball Joints

Note. Components attached with a nut must be torqued to specification.

Note. Suspension components with rubber/urethane bushings should be tightened with the vehicle at normal ride height. It is important to have the springs supporting the weight of the vehicle when the fasteners are torqued. If springs are not at their normal ride position, vehicle ride comfort could be affected and premature bushing wear may occur.

DESCRIPTION

The knuckle is a single casting with legs machined for the upper and lower ball joints. The knuckle also has machined mounting locations for the front brake calipers and hub bearing.

OPERATION

The steering knuckle pivot between the upper and lower ball joint. Steering linkage attached to the knuckle allows the vehicle to be steered.

Scheme 12

Scheme 13

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Scheme 16

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the brake caliper, rotor (Refer to - «REMOVAL»(ref-163273-S19296389592004062400000) ), shield and ABS wheel speed sensor if equipped (Refer to - «REMOVAL»(ref-212744-S15451019422005122700000) ).
4. Remove the front halfshaft nut 4X4 only.
5. Remove the tie rod end nut. Separate the tie rod (2) from the knuckle with Remover 8677 (1). CAUTION: When installing Remover 8677 to separate the ball joint, be careful not to damage the ball joint seal.
6. Remove the upper ball joint nut. Separate the ball joint (1) from the knuckle (3) with Remover 8677 (2).
7. Install an hydraulic jack to support the lower control arm.
8. Remove the lower ball joint nut. Separate the ball joint from the knuckle (1) with Remover 8677 (2) and remove the knuckle.
9. Remove the hub/bearing bolts (1) from the knuckle.
10. Remove the hub/bearing (4) from the steering knuckle (1) (Refer to - «REMOVAL»(ref-212732-S12849319722005122700000) ).
11. Remove the steering knuckle (1).

The bar extends across the front underside of the chassis and connects to the frame crossmember. The ends of the bar mount to the lower suspension arm. All mounting points of the stabilizer bar are isolated by bushings.

Scheme 17

The stabilizer bar is used to minimize vehicle front sway during turns. The bar helps to maintain a flat attitude to the road surface.

The front of the bar connects to the back side of the lower suspension arm. The rear end of the bar is mounted in a anchor that rests in the frame crossmember.

The torsion bars are used to control ride height and ride quality. The vehicle height is adjusted through an anchor adjustment bolt that increases or decreases the wind up of the torsion bar. Increasing or decreasing the bar angle changes the wind up of the suspension arms.