Hello Everyone,
First off, just want to say I am new to this forum.

Now to buisiness.
I recently got an 03 Durango SLT.
It has 90,000 miles on it (i got it cheap, just needed 4x4).
I had not heard to many bad things about durangos previous to purchasing it.
Now I am second thinking my choice.

When I am driving and hit a pothole or any large bump, my truck will jerk to the right/left. If i am going straight it DOES NOT happen. But when turning, It jerks whatever direction I am currently going.
I turned my wheels all the way on my driveway and did a visual inspection of the Ball Joints. They look good.
There also seems to be a little bit of a "dead zone" in my steering wheel.


Do you think this could be the ball joints or what?
If my problem is not clear, shoot me a message and I will try and explain better

 

Sounds like control arm bushings to me or possible a bad tie rod end.

When you say "jerk" do you mean it literally rips the wheel out of your hands or it just shifts to the side?

 

it does not "rip" to wheel out of my hands. It just shifts to that side suddenly. To the point where I have to correct it or I will go into the other lane. Does not happen often. Only on fairly large bumps.
This is my first SUV, so I am not sure it its the fact that the truck is just bigger than the little escort i used to have, or if it is infact a mechanical problem

 

Bumps seem to have the same affect on mine. It seems like I see other trucks and SUVs do the same thing when they hit the same things I do, I'd just say that its normal. Cars and trucks don't always handle the same.

 

its a factor of a leaf spring rear suspension on a solid rear axle, you can minimize the effects with good sway bar bushings and a good set of shocks, but you cannot (in my experience) completely get rid of it.

 

Sounds like inner tie rod ends. Most likely you have ware on the inside of the tires.


You have 90k on the truck and you are rethinking your decision on buying the truck because it has a slight issue, what did you expect a perfect in every way truck? It's slightly worn and has a few issues, deal with it. It's not like you just spent 30k on a brand dew truck?

 

damn jack chill out, he just has some learning to do

 

Just sayin man, besides the whiskey man has my number tonight, been off the band wagon for the last while.....LOL

 

Hate to add one more possibility to the mix, but ... It sounds pretty similar to the issue I was having before I replaced my intermediate steering shaft.