So, yes there are zillion questions on this topic but I couldn't find a specific answer to my question.

Took the Durango in this morning to have the tires rotated and figured it was a good chance to see what all the whining was about from the guy who aligned it for me a few months ago.

The guys already both front wheels off so I grabbed each rotor at 12/6 and 3/9 and gave it a good shake both ways several times. I did detect some lateral movement (mostly at the 12/6 position) in the lower ball joints but the movement was the same on both sides and if I had to guesstimate the amount of movement, I'd say it was maybe 1mm.

I don't have any alignment issues and I don't hear any obvious signs of wear... I've actually gotten down and listened to the thing while my wife is turning the wheel back and forth. It's smooth and silky.

Thoughts on replacement?

 

Blast! I meant to make this a new thread... Please ignore as I'm going to post to a new thread.
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I have an 01 Durango. This morning when getting the tires rotated I took the opportunity to check the front brakes and have noticed that on the drivers-side, the front pads are wearing unevenly.

Specifically, the inner pad has about 1/4 life left on it while the outer pad has a little more than half.

The passenger side pads seem to be wearing fairly evenly.

Any thoughts on issues I should check for, things I should watch for, etc? What might some causes be?

 

It sounds like it's pretty close but I am pretty sure that even 1 mm of movement is not acceptable. I personally would just keep a close eye on your tire wear. If it starts showing signs of abnormal wear go to www.rockauto.com and get yourself some moog greasable ball joints. The lowers are a huge PITA without a press and a die grinder.

 

i own an 05 qc with 4.7 and 36000 on her. had to take her in and get some major front end work done. NEW SWAY BAR, AND BUSHINGS, NEW OUTER IDLER ENDS RODS AND BUSHINGS AS WELL AS FRONT END RE-ALIGNMENT. NOT UNDER WARRANTY COST ME $900 BUCKS. My question to the service manager was how the *&^%$! could these components be bad after just 36000? His answer, you will love this,"Maybe you just got hold of a bad batch" Am i missing something? I have never had to replace any of these parts on any vehicle i have ever owned, including my wifes 98 grand cherokee with 138000 What gives?

 

It sounds like a load of **** to me especially on the sway bar. The bushings are definitely not going to have a problem either. I could see problems surcing on some components if they have moving parts like a ball joint if it came from Dodge but that's about it...

What do you drive? A Dakota or Ram? I noticed you put up quad cab but we all have quad cabs here in a sense.

 

Hey gang,

Sorry for the delayed reply. Been out of town and all that.

So I called the dealership and they said that the tolerance was .06" (6, 100th's of an inch) which converts to 1.524mm.

I don't have any abnormal tire wear so I guess I'm good... for now?

 

What a PITA. After spending almost four hours with help, still can't get the darn thing out. Even went on to use a grinder and still can't puch the thing down. No access to a press at this time. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

Go get yourself a pulley puller, cut the ring off on the top of the ball joints, press them out with the puller. You may also try a decent sized sledge and a brass drift...

I feel your pain on this. I spent 2 days messing with mine before throwing in the towel and getting a shop to press them out for me. Mine were actually so tight the press that the shop had had a hard time pressing them out. I also broke a puller rated up to 5 tons of force...

 

On the 2005 with 36k miles, should have been a warranty issue.

On the 02, if they are 6 years old, go ahead and replace them. You have to cut off the old ones or have a shop that knows how take care of it all. The replacements bolt in.

+2 on the Moog replacements.

IndyDurango