Dodge Durango

 Service Manual

Differential and Driveline » Front axle driveshafts
Diagnosis and testing

Vehicle inspection

(1) Check for grease in the vicinity of the inboard tripod joint and outboard C/V joint; this is a sign of inner or outer joint seal boot or seal boot clamp damage.

(2) A light film of grease may appear on the right inner tripod joint seal boot; this is considered normal and should not require replacement of the seal boot.

Noise and/or vibration in turns

A clicking noise and/or a vibration in turns could be caused by one of the following conditions:

• Damaged outer C/V or inner tripod joint seal boot or seal boot clamps. This will result in the loss and/or contamination of the joint grease, resulting in inadequate lubrication of the joint.
• Noise may also be caused by another component of the vehicle coming in contact with the driveshafts.

Clunking noise during acceleration

This noise may be a result of one of the following conditions:

• A torn seal boot on the inner or outer joint of the driveshaft assembly which has allowed the C/V joint to become damaged.
• A loose or missing clamp on the inner or outer joint of the driveshaft assembly which has allowed the C/V joint to become damaged.
• A damaged or worn driveshaft C/V joint.

Shudder or vibration during acceleration

This problem could be a result of:

• A worn or damaged driveshaft inner tripod joint.

Fig. 1 C/V Drive Shaft Components

1 - RETAINER & HOUSING ASM

2 - C-CLIP

3 - TRIPOD JOINT SPIDER

4 - SEAL RETAINING CLAMP

5 - INNER BOOT

6 - SEAL RETAINING CLAMP

7 - C/V JOINT OUTER RACE

8 - C/V JOINT CAGE

9 - C/V JOINT INNER RACE

10 - CHROME ALLOY BALL

11 - RACE RETAINING RING

12 - SEAL RETAINING CLAMP

13 - DRIVE AXLE OUTBOARD SEAL

14 - SEAL RETAINING CLAMP

15 - AXLE SHAFT

16 - RETAINING RING

17 - BALL & ROLLER RETAINER

18 - TRIPOD JOINT BALL

19 - NEEDLE ROLLER

• A sticking tripod joint spider assembly (inner tripod joint only).
• Improper wheel alignment. Refer to Group 2, Suspension, for alignment checking and setting procedures and specifications.

Vibration at highway speeds

This problem could be a result of:

• Foreign material (mud, etc.) packed on the backside of the wheel(s).
• Out of balance front tires or wheels. Refer to Group 22, Wheels And Tires, for the required balancing procedure.
• Improper tire and/or wheel runout. Refer to Group 22, Wheels And Tires, for the required runout checking procedure.