I was under the Durango tonight installing some Bilstein shocks and noticed these two hunks of mangled rubber, one on either side of the front suspension. This may seem like a very "rookie" question, but what are they? How would they get so chewed up? Do I need to replace them? I've had the Dodge in many times for profesisonal service, and it has never been brought to my attention. Thanks,

J.



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they are what are left of your bumpstops

they limit the travel of your front a-arms so not to have your tire ram all the way up into your fender or plastic shields inside wheel well, never seen or heard of it happening though, get the aftermarket ployurathane ones they will last forever

and just for the record WOW!!! they are really gone and rotted what year is the rig?

guaranteed if you are not the first owner, this truck did some serious off-roading and bottoming out on those rubber stops for them to be in that shape

 

Actually... it's common, and shocking the first time, to see those like that. The material is a softer sponge stuff and it dry rots, then gets wet and eats away.

Here is the info on them, the replacement part numbers, what to watch for, etc. The entire scoop.
http://www.durangoclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=22360

HTH,

IndyDurango

 

The durango is a 2002; I'm the sole owner; and I've only had it offroad a handfull of times.

I went by the dealership and got two new "bearings" today ($23 ea + tax). For once, when I've read it was a "5 minute job", it actually was! I just tugged the old ones out with some pliers, dipped the new ones in some warm, soapy water, and jammed them in. I'm not sure how this will affect my ride, but at least I won't be worried about metal on metal.

So, from the pics, would you say it was time to replace them?!? Thanks for all your help.

J.



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Yeah,

I had that happen to me on my 99 D here in Saudi...and yes, I think the previous owner off roaded the vehicle to hell...
These stops prevent the suspension arm from moving too far on its downward (not upward) movement i.e. as the vehicle bounces up after the first initial compression of the suspension - there are even bigger rubber stops to cushion the arm on thisfirst hit, which are more obviously visible... Look at it carefully and you'll see how it works. If you don't have them, then the entire shock load of the weight of the wheel as it unweights on the up bounce will be transfered to your suspension upper bushes.

Chris

 

looks like it was quite the replacement there.. are those Bilstein shocks in there?

 

You might need to adjust your torsion bars to allow the correct movement in up and down motion.

This is from upward motion. The tire moving upward and the weight on the vehicle is coming down. If you are too close and hitting these all the time then your torsion bars need to be adjusted up allowing more space so they don't constantly hit. Now the problem could be caused by the shocks. If they were badly damaged and allowing to much travel and allowing them to come together it could wear them out.

 

Yeah, I just put the Bilsteins in last night. I went out on the road around 11pm to give them a shot. I can definitely notice more control, especially when cornering. Unfortunately, I've recently developed some squeeking under the front end, and I can't figure out what it is. So, the irritating noise has taken away from me enjoying the new shocks.

As for the torsion bar, I think I may need to make that adjustment. When I lowered my vehicle today, after popping in the new bearings, the vehicle sagged low enough that the bearings are in contact with the lower arm. Is this normal, or should there be some space between the two when the vehicle is at rest?

Also, you mentioned a larger pair of bumpers located elsewhere. Where are they located? I want to make sure they aren't worn out as well. Nothing else caught my eye when I was under there. Thanks,

J.

 

the squeaking at the front end is prolly your sway bar bushings... mine have been squeaking since i bought it 4 year ago... they are a crappy inferior product and they dry rot... i believe there is a poly urethane replacement... do a search

 

Well, I went out to the garage and slid under the durango while my wife bounced around on it...and it seems the majority of the squeaking is coming from one of two places as shown on the picture below. I tried to spray some silicone on it, but the noise remains. Can you help me identify this part? Also, how tough would it be to replace the rubber bushings?

hydrashocker, how would I go about adjusting the torsion bar? or should I let a shophandle that? Thanks again!

J.


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