Dodge Durango

 Service Manual

Suspension » Front suspension - 4x2 » Diagnosis and testing
Lower ball joint

(1) Raise the front of the vehicle. Place safety floor stands under both lower suspension arms as far outboard as possible. Lower the vehicle to allow the stands to support some or all of the vehicle weight.

(2) Remove the tire and wheel assemblies.

(3) Mount a dial indicator solidly under the lower suspension arm.

(4) Position indicator plunger against the bottom of the steering knuckle lower ball joint boss.

NOTE: The upper suspension arms must not contact the rebound bumpers.

NOTE: The dial indicator plunger must be perpendicular to the machined surface of the steering knuckle lower ball joint boss (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 Lower Ball Joint Boss

1 - BALL JOINT BOSS

2 - STEERING KNUCKLE

3 - DIAL INDICATOR

(5) Position a pry bar over the top of the upper suspension arm and under the pivot bar of the upper suspension arm. Pry down on the upper suspension arm and then zero the dial indicator.

(6) Reposition the pry bar under the upper suspension arm and on top of the frame rail. Pry up on the upper suspension arm and record the dial indicator reading.

(7) If the travel exceeds 1.52 mm (0.060 in.), replace the lower suspension arm.

Lower ball joint

Upper ball joint

Shock diagnosis