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Front Suspension & Wheel Alignment: Adjustments Dodge Durango III

Suspension Front 4 illustrations ~559 words

PRE-ALIGNMENT INSPECTION

Before starting wheel alignment, the following inspection and necessary corrections must be completed. Refer to Suspension and Steering System Diagnosis Chart below for additional information.

  1. Inspect tires for size, air pressure and tread wear.
  2. Inspect front wheel bearings for wear.
  3. Inspect front wheels for excessive radial or lateral runout and balance.
  4. Inspect ball studs, linkage pivot points and steering gear for looseness, roughness or binding.
  5. Inspect suspension components for wear and noise.
  6. Check suspension ride height.
  7. Road test the vehicle.
CONDITIONPOSSIBLE CAUSESCORRECTION
FRONT END NOISE1. Loose or worn wheel bearing.1. Replace wheel bearing.
2. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.2. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
3. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.3. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING1. Loose or worn wheel bearing.1. Replace wheel bearing.
2. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.2. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
3. Loose or worn steering gear.3. Replace steering gear.
FRONT WHEELS SHIMMY1. Loose or worn wheel bearing.1. Replace wheel bearing.
2. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.2. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
3. Tires worn or out of balance.3. Replace or balance tires.
4. Alignment.4. Align vehicle to specifications.
VEHICLE INSTABILITY1. Loose or worn wheel bearing.1. Replace wheel bearing.
2. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.2. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
3. Tire pressure.3. Adjust tire pressure.
4. Alignment.4. Align vehicle to specifications.
EXCESSIVE STEERING EFFORT1. Loose or worn steering gear.1. Replace steering gear.
2. Column coupler binding.2. Replace coupler.
3. Tire pressure.3. Adjust tire pressure.
4. Alignment.4. Align vehicle to specifications.
VEHICLE PULLS TO ONE SIDE1. Tire pressure.1. Adjust tire pressure.
2. Tire.2. Criss-Cross Front Tires.
3. Alignment.3. Align vehicle to specifications.
4. Loose or worn steering or suspension components.4. Tighten or replace components as necessary.
5. Radial tire lead.5. Rotate or replace tire as necessary.
6. Brake pull.6. Repair brake as necessary.
7. Ride height.7. Measure and adjust ride height.

SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS

Alignment is possible on the front and rear of this vehicle. For the front , caster, camber and toe can be adjusted. For the rear , only camber and toe can be adjusted, and caster is not adjustable.

Note. For alignment settings. Refer to WHEEL ALIGNMENT, SPECIFICATIONS .

CASTER AND CAMBER ADJUSTMENT - FRONT

Camber and caster angle adjustments involve changing the position of the lower control arm with the slots in the frame brackets to move the lower control arm inwards or outwards for proper adjustment. This can be achieved by using a long pry bar with a curved tip and inserting the pry bar into the lower control arm frame brackets and prying inwards or outwards.

Scheme 6

Scheme 6: CASTER AND CAMBER ADJUSTMENT - FRONT
Scheme 6: CASTER AND CAMBER ADJUSTMENT - FRONT

Moving the rear position of the lower control arm at the frame in or out, will change the caster angle significantly and camber angle only slightly. To maintain the camber angle while adjusting caster, move the rear of the lower control arm in or out. Then move the front of the lower control arm slightly in the opposite direction.

Move both the front and rear of the lower control arm together in or out. This will change the camber angle significantly and caster angle slightly.

After adjustment is made tighten the lower control arm REAR PIVOT VERTICAL BOLTS (1) to 220 N.m (162 ft. lbs.), the REAR PIVOT HORIZONTAL BOLTS (2) to 90 N.m (66 ft. lbs.), and the FRONT PIVOT BOLTS (4) to 120 N.m (89 ft. lbs.).

Scheme 7

Scheme 7: TOE ADJUSTMENT - FRONT
Scheme 7: TOE ADJUSTMENT - FRONT

The wheel toe position adjustment is the final adjustment of a front alignment.

  1. Start the engine and turn wheels both ways before straightening the wheels. Secure the steering wheel with the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.
  2. Loosen the tie rod jam nuts (1). NOTE: Each front wheel should be adjusted for one-half of the total toe position specification. This will ensure the steering wheel will be centered when the wheels are positioned straight-ahead.
  3. Adjust the wheel toe position by turning the inner tie rod (2) as necessary.
  4. Tighten the tie rod jam nut (1) to 75 NM (55 ft. lbs.).
  5. Verify the specifications.
  6. Turn off engine.

Scheme 8

Scheme 8: CAMBER ADJUSTMENT - REAR
Scheme 8: CAMBER ADJUSTMENT - REAR
  1. Adjust the wheel camber position by loosening the camber link to cradle cam bolt/nut (1) just enough to rotate the cam bolt. Turning the cam bolt moves the camber link (2) in or out.
  2. Tighten the camber link to cradle cam bolt/nut (1) to 93 NM (68 ft. lbs.).
  3. Verify the specifications.

Scheme 9

Scheme 9: TOE ADJUSTMENT - REAR
Scheme 9: TOE ADJUSTMENT - REAR
  1. Adjust the wheel toe position by loosening the toe link to cradle cam bolt/nut (3) just enough to rotate the cam bolt. Turning the cam bolt moves the toe link (5) in or out.
  2. Tighten the toe link to cradle cam bolt/nut (3) to 93 NM (68 ft. lbs.).
  3. Verify the specifications.

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