There is a crack on my radiator and i am replacing it myself since labor is so expensive. Is there a write-up on how to take off the a/c condenser? I was about to take off the radiator but i do not how how to take off the condenser from the radiator is there a way that I can safely take off the steel a/c lines? I really do not want to mess anything up. If there are detailed instructions on how to replace radiator please post or lead me to where i can find it. I have a chiltons manual but their instructions are over simplified. thanks!

 

NO

Do not take off the lines to the condenser! You can get a Service Manual http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=c...b5ba589d1986ba look arond for your year. 1998-1999 are basically the same, 200 is kinda of a hybread, 2001-2002 is the same and most of 2003 accept brakes.

You should be able to remove the radiator with out moving or playing at all with the condenser or a/c lines. You will most likely have to remove the fan, fan shroud, upper and lower radiator hoses, (might as well do the T-stat, new upper and lower hose as well), transmission lines from the radiator, then remove the radiator.

 

thanks. good thing i did not take off the condenser lines. i wasnt not able to find service manuals for 2001 durango. do you think its the same as any other years?

 

i have searched through the 2002 durango manual and still havent found any solution to my problem. it doesnt say how to take off the condenser from the radiator assembly. the only information i found was how to take of the radiator but it didnt mention how to take off the condenser from the radiator. pls help!

 

It isn't attached!

They are separate but might just share the same mounts. Just start and you will see it's not as hard as you are making it out to be.

 

First off, what do you have? Then we can help you from there.

 

i have a 2001 durango r/t. i am having a hard time removing the radiator from the a/c condenser assembly. i need to change the radiator but the condenser is somewhat attached to the radiator. i cant take out the radiator without disconnecting the a/c condenser. i have the helms manual but it is simplified. there is no explanation what so ever on how to take off the condenser from the radiator. pls help. i need this car up and running asap. thanks

 

This is what my 2000 D manual has looks like it is not connected to the a/c condenser.



(3) Remove hose clamps (Fig. 50) and hoses from
adiator. Disconnect coolant reserve/overflow tank
hose and washer bottle electrical connector and hose.
(4) Remove upper fan shroud mounting screws Lift
upper fan shroud assembly up and out of engine com-
partment (Fig. 52).
(5) Remove front grille. Refer to BODY for proce-
dure.
(6) Disconnect transmission oil cooler lines, (if
quipped) (Fig. 53).
(7) Disconnect electric cooling fan motor connector.
(8) Remove radiator upper mounting screws (Fig.
54). Lift radiator upward and away from vehicle. Do
not allow cooling fins of radiator to contact any other
ehicle component. Radiator fin damage could result.
NSTALLATION
The radiator has two isolator pins on bottom of
both tanks. These fit into alignment holes in radiator
ower support (Fig. 54).
(1) Position isolator pins into alignment holes in
adiator lower support.
(2) Install and tighten radiator mounting bolts to
23 N·m (200 in. lbs.) (Fig. 54).
(3) Install the transmission oil cooler lines, (if
quipped).
(4) Install front grille.
(5) Connect fan motor electrical connector to har-
ness connector.
(6) Position upper fan shroud onto lower fan
hroud and radiator.
(7) Install retaining screws into shroud.
(8) Install radiator hoses. reconnect coolant
eserve/overflow tank hose.
(9) Connect battery negative cable.

 

On my 2002, I needed to remover the bracket going across the top of the radiator, its bolted to the fenders.. Didnt have to remove condenser..

 

On my 2001 you can remove the brace across the top between the front fenders (it has the hood cable attached and 6 bolts) and pull the radiator out. I have the a/c condensor and an oil cooler in front of the radiator as well and they do not require removal. The a/c condensor slips into 2 brackets on the front of the radiator with no bolt or screws at the top, there are two screws at the bottom.

One note of caution---be sure the rubber mounts on the new radiator are the same size as the old ones, on the bottom and the front where the two (2) screws go through to hold the radiator or the radiator will not line up properly.