Dodge Durango

 Service Manual

Suspension » Front suspension - 4x4 » Diagnosis and testing
Upper ball joint

(1) Position a floor jack under the lower suspension arm. Raise the wheel and allow the tire to lightly contact the floor (vehicle weight relieved from the tire).

Fig. 2 Lower Ball Joint Boss

1 - BALL JOINT BOSS

2 - STEERING KNUCKLE

3 - DIAL INDICATOR

(2) Mount a dial indicator solidly on the upper suspension arm.

(3) Position the indicator plunger against the back side of the upper ball joint boss of the steering knuckle (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3 Upper Ball Joint Boss

1 - DIAL INDICATOR

2 - BALL JOINT BOSS

(4) Grasp the top of the tire and pull outward, then zero the dial indicator.

(5) Grasp the top of the tire and push inward and record the dial indicator reading.

(6) If lateral movement is greater than 1.52 mm (0.060 in.), replace upper suspension arm.

Lower ball joint

Upper ball joint

Shock diagnosis