Front Suspension & Wheel Alignment: Other Dodge Durango III

CURB HEIGHT MEASUREMENT

The wheel alignment is to be checked and all alignment adjustments made with the vehicle at its required curb height specification.

Vehicle height is to be checked with the vehicle on a flat, level surface, preferably a vehicle alignment rack. The tires are to be inflated to the recommended pressure. All tires are to be the same size as standard equipment. Vehicle height is checked with the fuel tank full of fuel, and no passenger or luggage compartment load.

Inspect the vehicle for bent or weak suspension components. Compare the parts tag on the suspect coil spring(s) to the parts book and the vehicle sales code, checking for a match. Once removed from the vehicle, compare the coil spring height to a correct new or known good coil spring. The heights should vary if the suspect spring is weak.

Ride height is measured at each corner of the vehicle by calculating the difference between the cradle bolt and the center of the wheel or axle heights as follows

Scheme 28

Front: Bottom view of the front cradle bolt (1) to be measured from.

Scheme 29

Scheme 30

Scheme 31

1. Front Wheel Center Height - Measure the vertical distance between the front wheel center (1) and the ground (4), Record the measurement .
2. Front Cradle Height - Measure the vertical distance between the center of the cradle bolt (2) to the ground (3), Record the measurement .
3. Take the two measurements and subtract them to get the ride height. Refer to the Curb Height Specifications chart below for specifications. Rear: Bottom view of the rear cradle bolt (1) to be measured from.
4. Rear Wheel Center Height - Measure the vertical distance between the front wheel center (2) and the ground (3), Record the measurement .
5. Rear Cradle Height - Measure the vertical distance between the center of the cradle bolt (1) to the ground (4), Record the measurement .
6. Take the two measurements and subtract them to get the ride height. Refer to the Curb Height Specifications chart below for specifications.

CURB HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS

Note. Specifications are in degrees.

STANDARD SUSPENSION

FRONT - STANDARD SUSPENSION

REAR - STANDARD SUSPENSION

SPORT SUSPENSION

FRONT - SPORT SUSPENSION

REAR - SPORT SUSPENSION

Scheme 32

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.

The front suspension is designed to allow each wheel to adapt to different road surfaces independently. The wheels are mounted to hub bearings (not shown) on the steering knuckles (1). The hub bearings are sealed and lubricated for life. The steering knuckles (1) turn (pivot) on ball joints (5) that are pressed into the outboard portion of the upper control arms (2,) and pressed into the steering knuckle (1) for the lower control arms (3). The ball joints (5) are lubricated for life. The upper and lower control arms (2, 3) are attached to the frame with bushings (4) that are not serviceable. The stabilizer bar (8) is attached to the lower control arms by a stabilizer bar link (6), and to the frame with stabilizer bar retaining bracket/bushings (7) that are not serviceable.

4X2

1. Position the hub bearing into the knuckle (2), install the 3 bolts (3) and tighten to 105 N.m (78 ft. lbs.).
2. Install the wheel speed sensor into the knuckle (2), install the sensor mounting bolt (1) and tighten to 11 N.m (95 in. lbs.).
3. Install the brake rotor. Refer to «ROTOR, BRAKE, INSTALLATION»(ref-465922-S02733386592012042300000) .
4. Install the wheel and tire assembly. Refer to «STANDARD PROCEDURE»(ref-465920-S01207553252012042300000) .
5. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

4X4

1. Position the hub/bearing, install the hub/bearing bolts (2) and tighten to 105 N.m (78 ft. lbs.).
2. Support the outside of the lower control arm with a suitable holding fixture, and raise to position the upper ball joint (2) into the knuckle (3).
3. With the holding fixture holding the suspension at normal ride height, install the upper ball joint nut (4) and tighten to 95 N.m (70 ft. lbs.).
4. Install the half shaft nut and tighten to 310 N.m (229 ft. lbs.).
5. Install the brake rotor. Refer to «ROTOR, BRAKE, INSTALLATION»(ref-465922-S02733386592012042300000) .
6. Route and attach speed sensor wiring to the knuckle.
7. Install the wheel speed sensor into the knuckle, install the mounting bolt (2) and tighten to 10.7 N.m (95 in. lbs.).
8. Position the stabilizer link (7) to lower control arm (8), install the nut and tighten to 122 N.m (90 ft. lbs.).
9. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to «WHEELS, STANDARD PROCEDURE»(ref-465920-S20100796812012042300000) .
10. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.

Scheme 33

Scheme 34

Scheme 35

Scheme 36

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer «HOISTING»(ref-465919-S17385638482012042300000) .
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
3. If equipped with four wheel drive, remove the half shaft nut.
4. Remove the speed sensor bolt (1), and remove the sensor from the knuckle (2).
5. Remove the speed sensor wiring retaining clip from the knuckle (2). CAUTION: Never allow the disc brake caliper to hang from the brake hose. Damage to the brake hose will result. Provide a suitable support to hang the caliper securely.
6. Remove the rotor. Refer to «ROTOR, BRAKE, REMOVAL»(ref-465922-S11835811972012042300000) .
7. Remove the outer tie rod end retaining nut.
8. Separate the outer tie rod end (4) from the steering knuckle (2) using Tie Rod Puller (special tool #C-3894-A, Puller, Tie Rod) (1).
9. Support the outside of the lower control arm with a suitable holding fixture, and raise to normal ride height.
10. Remove the upper ball joint nut.
11. Separate the upper ball joint (2) from the knuckle (3) using Ball Joint Press (special tool #C-4150A, Press, Ball Joint) (1).
12. If equipped with four wheel drive, tilt the knuckle (2) out enough to disengage the half shaft (4) from the hub/bearing, then pry the half shaft (4) from the axle/axle tube with a pry bar and position aside for access to remove the lower ball joint nut (3). NOTE: Due to the taper of the lower ball joint, no special tool is needed to separate the knuckle from the control arm. When the nut is removed, the knuckle will pull away from the lower control arm.
13. While supporting the knuckle (3), remove the lower ball joint nut (1).
14. Remove the knuckle (3) from the vehicle.
15. If necessary, remove the 3 hub bearing mounting bolts (3) from the back of the steering knuckle (2) and remove the hub/bearing (4) from the steering knuckle (2).
16. If necessary, remove the brake shield (1) from the knuckle (2).

1. If equipped, remove the wiring harness routing clip (2) from the shock mounting stud.
2. Remove the three upper shock mounting nuts (1).
3. Turn the wheels so the front of the tire on the side being serviced is turned to the inside of the vehicle.
4. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer «HOISTING»(ref-465919-S17385638482012042300000) . NOTE: With the upper shock assembly mounting nuts removed, the half shaft and the shock assembly will come out together.
5. Remove the half shaft. Refer to «REMOVAL»(ref-465923-S14458899622012042300000) or «REMOVAL»(ref-465924-S01102557682012042300000) .
6. Remove and transfer the spring and mount if necessary. Refer to «SPRING, FRONT COIL, REMOVAL»(ref-465917-S34642138292012042300000) .

1. Position the shock assembly (1) to the vehicle and install the clevis to lower control arm bolt/nut. Do not tighten.
2. Support the outside of the lower control arm with a suitable holding fixture, and raise to normal ride height while guiding the upper shock mount into the proper position.
3. Position the stabilizer link, install the nut (7) and tighten to 122 N.m (90 ft. lbs.).
4. Tighten the lower clevis bolt/nut (6) to 235 N.m (173 ft. lbs.).
5. Position the upper ball joint into the knuckle, install the ball joint nut and tighten to 95 N.m (70 ft. lbs.).
6. Position the brake caliper/pads and tighten the brake caliper slide bolts (guide pins) (2) to 55 N.m (41 ft. lbs.).
7. Install the caliper slide bolt dust shields.
8. Install the brake caliper tension clip (1).
9. Install the speed sensor and retaining bolt (1), and tighten to 10.7 N.m (95 in. lbs.).
10. Install the speed sensor wiring retaining clip to the knuckle (2).
11. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to «WHEELS, STANDARD PROCEDURE»(ref-465920-S20100796812012042300000) .
12. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
13. Tighten the three upper shock mounting nuts (1) to 28 N.m (21 ft. lbs.).
14. If equipped, install the wiring harness routing clip (2) on the shock mounting stud.
15. Pump brake pedal until caliper pistons and brake pads are seated and a firm brake pedal is obtained.

1. Position the shock assembly (1) to the vehicle aligning the upper shock mounting studs into the body.
2. Install the upper shock mounting nuts and tighten to 28 N.m (21 ft. lbs.).
3. If equipped, install the wiring harness routing clip (2) on the shock mounting stud.
4. Install the half shaft. Refer to «INSTALLATION»(ref-465923-S28409071432012042300000) or «INSTALLATION»(ref-465924-S10785690482012042300000) .
5. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
6. Pump brake pedal until caliper pistons and brake pads are seated and a firm brake pedal is obtained.

Scheme 37

Scheme 38

1. Remove the shock. Refer to «SHOCK ABSORBER, SUSPENSION, REMOVAL»(ref-465917-S19251694852012042300000) .
2. Install the shock assembly in the Branick 7200® spring removal/installation tool or equivalent (1).
3. Compress the spring (2).
4. Remove the upper shock nut (2). NOTE: The nub (1) in the upper shock mount (3) must be 180° from the centerline of the lower bracket (9) on the shock (8) for proper installation.
5. Remove the shock (8).
6. Remove the shock upper mount (3).
7. Remove and inspect the upper (5) and lower (7) spring isolators.

Scheme 39

1. Compress the spring (2).
2. Install the lower isolator (7). NOTE: Make sure the jounce bumper (4) is installed in the upper mount.
3. Position the shock (8) into the coil spring (6).
4. Install the upper isolator and dust shield assembly (5). NOTE: For proper orientation the nub hole (1) in the upper shock plate (3) must be 180° in a centerline from the bracket (9) at the bottom of the shock (8).
5. Install the upper shock mount (3).
6. Install the shock upper mounting nut (2) Tighten to 50 N.m (37 ft. lbs.).
7. Decompress the spring.
8. Remove the shock assembly from the spring compressor tool (1).
9. Install the shock assembly. Refer to «SHOCK ABSORBER, SUSPENSION, INSTALLATION»(ref-465917-S03964415022012042300000) .