Dodge 2000 DURANGO Service Manual page 43

DN
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)
(9) Inspect lower ball joint seal and replace if dam-
aged. Pry off old seal with screw driver if necessary.
Fig. 9 Lower Ball Joint
1 – REMOVER
2 – LOWER BALL STUD
Fig. 10 Lower Suspension Arm
1 – PIVOT BOLTS
2 – LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
INSTALLATION
(1) Install new lower ball joint seal by tapping on
around the seal flange lightly with a hammer.
(2) Position the lower suspension arm at the frame
rail brackets. Install the pivot bolts and nuts.
Tighten the nuts finger-tight.
(3) Insert the ball joint into steering knuckle.
Install and tighten the retaining nut to 183 N·m (135
ft. lbs.) and install a new cotter pin.
CAUTION: The ball joint stud taper must be CLEAN
and DRY before installing the knuckle. Clean the
stud taper with mineral spirits to remove dirt and
grease.
(4) Install the torsion bar.
(5) Install shock absorber lower bolt and tighten to
108 N·m (80 ft. lbs.).
(6) Install the front driveshaft. Refer to Group 3
Differential & Driveline.
(7) Install the wheel and tire assembly.
(8) Remove support and lower the vehicle.
(9) Install the stabilizer bar.
(10) Tighten the lower suspension front pivot nut
to 108 N·m (80 ft. lbs.). Tighten rear pivot bolt to 190
N·m (140 ft. lbs.).
(11) Adjust the front suspension height.
UPPER SUSPENSION ARM
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support vehicle.
(2) Remove wheel and tire assembly.
(3) Remove brake hose brackets from suspension
arm, refer to Group 5 Brakes.
(4) Position hydraulic jack under lower suspension
arm and raise jack to unload rebound bumper.
(5) Remove shock absorber.
(6) Remove the cotter pin and nut from upper ball
joint.
(7) Separate upper ball joint from the steering
knuckle with Remover MB-991113 (Fig. 11).
CAUTION: When installing Remover MB-991113 to
separate the ball joint, be careful not to damage the
ball joint seal.
(8) Remove suspension arm pivot bar bolts and
remove suspension arm (Fig. 12).
Fig. 11 Separate Upper Ball Joint
1 – UPPER BALL STUD
2 – REMOVER
SUSPENSION 2 - 19