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Home/Dodge/Durango/Dodge Durango III (2010-2013)/Repair manual/Suspension Front/Front Suspension & Wheel Alignment: Removal & Installation
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Front Suspension & Wheel Alignment: Removal & Installation Dodge Durango III

Suspension Front 9 illustrations ~1541 words

INSTALLATION

Note. If equipped with four wheel drive, position the half shaft if removed with the lower control arm.

  1. Position the lower control arm to the cradle.
  2. Install the lower control arm rear pivot vertical bolt and nut (1). Do not tighten.
  3. Install the lower control arm front pivot nut and bolt (4). Do not tighten.
  4. Install the shock clevis bracket to lower control arm nut/bolt (6). Do not tighten.
  5. Install the stabilizer link (7) to lower control arm nut. Do not tighten.
  6. Install the knuckle. Refer to «KNUCKLE, STEERING, INSTALLATION»(ref-465917-S24639909852012042300000) .
  7. Support the outside of the lower control arm with a suitable holding fixture, and raise to normal ride height.
  8. Tighten the lower control arm rear pivot vertical bolt and nut (1) to 220 N.m (162 ft. lbs.), and tighten the lower control arm rear pivot horizontal bolt and nut (2) to 90 N.m (66 ft. lbs.).
  9. Tighten the lower control arm front pivot nut and bolt (4) to 120 N.m (89 ft. lbs.)
  10. Tighten the shock clevis bracket to lower control arm nut/bolt (6) to 235 N.m (173 ft. lbs.).
  11. Tighten the stabilizer link (7) to lower control arm nut to 122 N.m (90 ft. lbs.).
  12. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to «WHEELS, STANDARD PROCEDURE»(ref-465920-S20100796812012042300000) .
  13. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
  14. Perform wheel alignment. Refer to «WHEEL ALIGNMENT, STANDARD PROCEDURE»(ref-465917-S03736662762012042300000) .

Scheme 15

Scheme 15: REMOVAL
Scheme 15: REMOVAL

Scheme 16

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Scheme 17

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Scheme 18

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Scheme 19

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Scheme 21
Scheme 21
  1. Secure the steering wheel in the straight ahead position.
  2. If equipped, remove the wiring harness routing clip (2) from the shock mounting stud. NOTE: Loosen the shock retainer nuts only. The shock must be tilted for removal of the control arm bolts.
  3. Loosen the three upper shock mounting nuts (1).
  4. Remove the cowl panel cover. Refer to «COVER, COWL PANEL, REMOVAL»(ref-465921-S01077772762012042300000) .
  5. Remove the cowl extension silencer. Refer to «SILENCER, COWL EXTENSION, REMOVAL»(ref-465921-S28830981762012042300000) . NOTE: 3.6L shown in illustration, others similar.
  6. For the left side only, remove the air cleaner housing as follows: Remove the air cleaner. Loosen the fresh air intake clamp (4) and disconnect the hose from housing cover (1). Disconnecting the PCV air return hose and the power steering hose routing clip (not shown) from the air cleaner body. Disconnect the weatherstrip (3) from the housing inlet and reposition. Remove the pushpin (2) and lift the housing from the body grommets to remove.
  7. For the left side only, remove the steering intermediate shaft pinch bolt (1), disconnect the coupler (3) and position aside for clearance.
  8. For the right side only, remove the two nuts (2) that secure the HVAC air inlet duct (1) to the engine compartment side of the dash panel (3) and remove the duct.
  9. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to «HOISTING, STANDARD PROCEDURE»(ref-465919-S07448334682012042300000) .
  10. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
  11. If equipped with a height sensor, disconnect the height sensor from the upper control arm ball stud.
  12. Remove the speed sensor bolt (2), and remove the sensor from the knuckle.
  13. Remove the speed sensor wiring retaining clip from the knuckle.
  14. Support the outside of the lower control arm (8) with a suitable holding fixture, and raise to normal ride height.
  15. Remove the clevis to lower control arm bolt/nut (6).
  16. Remove the upper ball joint retaining nut (4) from the ball joint (2).
  17. Separate the upper ball joint (2) from the knuckle (3) using Ball Joint Press (special tool #C-4150A, Press, Ball Joint) (1). NOTE: It is necessary to pull the bottom of the shock assembly outward just enough to remove the upper control arm flag bolts (1) without completely removing the shock assembly.
  18. Remove the nuts and flag bolts (1) securing the upper control arm (5) to the body.
  19. Remove the upper control arm (5) from the vehicle.
  1. Position the upper control arm (5) to the vehicle. NOTE: It is necessary to pull the bottom of the shock assembly outward just enough to install the upper control arm flag bolts (1) without completely removing the shock assembly. NOTE: Tighten the upper control arm to body bolts in the following sequence: Left side, front then rear. Right side, rear then front.
  2. Install the nuts and flag bolts (1) securing the upper control arm (5) to the body and tighten to 60 N.m (44 ft. lbs.).
  3. Install the upper ball joint (2) into the knuckle (3).
  4. Install the upper ball joint retaining nut (4) and tighten to 95 N.m (70 ft. lbs.).
  5. If equipped with a height sensor, connect the height sensor to the upper control arm.
  6. Install the speed sensor wiring retaining clip to the knuckle.
  7. Install the speed sensor, and install the speed sensor bolt (2) and tighten to 10.7 N.m (95 in. lbs.).
  8. Install the clevis to lower control arm bolt/nut (6) and tighten to 235 N.m (173 ft. lbs.).
  9. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to «WHEELS, STANDARD PROCEDURE»(ref-465920-S20100796812012042300000) .
  10. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
  11. Tighten the three upper shock mounting nuts (1) to 28 N.m (21 ft. lbs.).
  12. If equipped, attach the wiring harness routing clip (2) to the shock mounting stud.
  13. For the right side only, position the HVAC air inlet duct (1) to the engine compartment side of the dash panel (3). Install the two nuts (2) that secure the HVAC air inlet duct (1) to the dash panel (3) and tighten to 4.5 N.m (40 in. lbs.).
  14. For the left side only, connect the steering intermediate shaft coupler (3), install the pinch bolt (1) and tighten to 45 N.m (33 ft. lbs.). NOTE: 3.6L shown in illustration, others similar.
  15. For left side only, install the air cleaner housing as follows: Press the air cleaner housing onto the body grommets and install the pushpin (2). Route and connect the weather-strip (3) to the housing inlet. Connect the PCV air return hose and the power steering hose routing clip (not shown) to the air cleaner body. Connect the fresh air intake hose to the housing cover (1) and tighten the clamp (4). Install the air cleaner.
  16. Install the cowl extension silencer. Refer to «SILENCER, COWL EXTENSION, INSTALLATION»(ref-465921-S21852433032012042300000) .
  17. Install the cowl panel cover. Refer to «COVER, COWL PANEL, INSTALLATION»(ref-465921-S30543277132012042300000) .
  1. Position the brake shield (1) on the knuckle (2).
  2. Position the hub/bearing (4) on the knuckle (2), install the 3 hub bearing mounting bolts (3) and tighten to 105 N.m (78 ft. lbs.).
  3. Position the knuckle (2) on the lower ball joint and install the lower ball joint nut (3) and tighten to 230 N.m (170 ft. lbs.).
  4. If equipped with four wheel drive, install half shaft (1) in the axle using care not to damage the seals, and through the hub/bearing. Verify half shaft has engaged.
  5. 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).
  6. 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.).
  7. Position the outer tie rod end (3) to the steering knuckle, install the nut (1) and tighten to 95 N.m (70 ft. lbs.).
  8. Install the brake rotor. Refer to «ROTOR, BRAKE, INSTALLATION»(ref-465922-S02733386592012042300000) .
  9. Route and attach speed sensor wiring to the knuckle.
  10. Install the wheel speed sensor into the knuckle (2), install the mounting bolt (1) and tighten to 10.7 N.m (95 in. lbs.).
  11. If equipped with four wheel drive, install the half shaft nut and tighten to 310 N.m (229 ft. lbs.).
  12. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to «WHEELS, STANDARD PROCEDURE»(ref-465920-S20100796812012042300000) .
  13. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.

Scheme 22

Scheme 22: REMOVAL
Scheme 22: REMOVAL

Scheme 23

Scheme 23
Scheme 23
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer «HOISTING»(ref-465919-S17385638482012042300000) .
  2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
  3. Support the outside of the lower control arm with a suitable holding fixture, and raise to normal ride height.
  4. Remove the stabilizer link lower nut (4).
  5. Remove the stabilizer link upper nut (4).
  6. Remove the stabilizer link (6).
  1. Position the stabilizer link (6) to the vehicle.
  2. Install the stabilizer link upper nut (4) and tighten to 122 N.m (90 ft. lbs.).
  3. Install the stabilizer link lower nut (4) and tighten to 122 N.m (90 ft. lbs.).
  4. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to «WHEELS, STANDARD PROCEDURE»(ref-465920-S20100796812012042300000) .
  5. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

REMOVAL

Note. A drive on hoist is recommended to keep suspension at normal ride height due to tension on the stabilizer bar.

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer «HOISTING»(ref-465919-S17385638482012042300000) .
  2. Remove the front skid plate. Refer to «PLATE, SKID, FRONT, REMOVAL»(ref-465925-S30284619522012042300000) or «PLATE, SKID, FRONT SUSPENSION, REMOVAL»(ref-465925-S37911096052012042300000) .
  3. Remove the stabilizer bar link upper nut (4) on both sides.
  4. Remove the two stabilizer bushing clamp (7) bolts on each side.
  5. Remove the stabilizer bar (8).
  6. Remove and transfer any necessary components.
  1. Position the stabilizer bar (8) to the vehicle.
  2. Install the stabilizer bushing clamps and tighten the two bolts on each side to 122 N.m (90 ft. lbs.).
  3. Position the stabilizer link (6) to the stabilizer bar (5), install the nut (4) and tighten to 122 N.m (90 ft. lbs.).
  4. Install the front skid plate. Refer to «PLATE, SKID, FRONT, INSTALLATION»(ref-465925-S32552796172012042300000) or «PLATE, SKID, FRONT SUSPENSION, INSTALLATION»(ref-465925-S17703500932012042300000) .
  5. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.

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