Dodge 2000 DURANGO Service Manual page 30

2 - 6 SUSPENSION
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
FRONT SUSPENSION - 4X2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SHOCK ABSORBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
COIL SPRINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
STEERING KNUCKLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SUSPENSION ARMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
STABILIZER BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
LOWER BALL JOINT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
UPPER BALL JOINT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SHOCK DIAGNOSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
SHOCK ABSORBER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
FRONT SUSPENSION - 4X2
DESCRIPTION
The front suspension is designed to allow each
wheel to adapt to different road surfaces indepen-
dently. The wheels are mounted to hub bearings on
the cast iron steering knuckle spindles. The double-
row hub bearings are sealed and lubricated for life.
The steering knuckles turn (pivot) on ball joints riv-
eted to the outboard portion of the suspension arms.
The ball joints are lubricated for life.
The 4x2 front suspension is comprised of (Fig. 1) :
CAUTION: Components attached with a nut and
cotter pin must be torqued to specification. Then if
the slot in the nut does not line up with the cotter
pin hole, tighten nut until it is aligned. Never loosen
the nut to align the cotter pin hole.
CAUTION: Suspension components with rubber/
urethane bushings (except stabilizer bar) 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 bush-
ing wear may occur.
• Shock absorbers
• Coil springs
• Suspension arms
• Stabilizer bar
FRONT SUSPENSION - 4x2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
COIL SPRING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
STEERING KNUCKLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
LOWER SUSPENSION ARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
UPPER SUSPENSION ARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
STABILIZER BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
HUB/BEARING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
WHEEL MOUNTING STUDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE CHART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SPECIAL TOOLS
FRONT SUSPENSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
• Jounce/Rebound Bumpers
• Steering Knuckle
Fig. 1 Front Suspension - 4X2
1 – UPPER SUSPENSION ARM
2 – STEERING KNUCKLE
3 – COIL SPRING
4 – LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
5 – STABILIZER BAR
SHOCK ABSORBERS
DESCRIPTION
The top of the low-pressure gas charged shock are
bolted to the frame. The bottom of the shock are
bolted to the lower suspension arm.
OPERATION
The shock absorbers dampen jounce and rebound
of the vehicle over various road conditions.
DN
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