Interchangeable Parts ?
 

Hi I have a 2000 Durango,5.9.Due to the stripped out brake caliper bolts issue these trucks are famous for,I need to change the steering knuckles.I need to know besides My 2000,What other year Durangos would be compatible for these parts?

2 or 4 wheel drive?

It is a 4x4

Looking for one on the used market? I see them new for 200 bucks and change. Think that would have a much higher likelyhood of having good threads........ If you want a used one, the junkyard should be able to tell you what year range will work.

When I'm looking for 'what year will work' answers, even if I want to go the junk yard route, I got to Rock Auto or other parts sites and look at part numbers in other years for a match to the number for my year.

I'd just go with helicoils.

Agreed. Easiest fix and works fine.

I believe they're 9mmX1.25 heli-coils. Work great. Oddball size but it'll save you a lot of time and some money. I've done this to 2 out of 4 of mine. No issues yet.

and you very likely WONT have issues unless you cross thread the heli-coils. Why, because the brakes load these bolts in shear, not tension, and its a tension load that would pull the threads out . . .

True. Which is why I've never understood why they strip so easily. My first one pulled threads on me with a matter of a few inch pounds of torque on the ratchet. But I guess the steel is soft and people (shops) over-tighten them and they become weak with time. Hard to tell when you buy something with 220K on the clock.

I used one to replace a broken exhaust manifold bolt in a cast iron head. I was able to drill out the broken bolt, tap for the helicoil, and hunker down the new bolt. It never failed.

this is exactly what happens, people dont use torque wrenches on caliper bolts even tho they should, it doesnt take much to hold the caliper to the bracket. Using proper torque also makes the bolts easier to remove when its time to change pads.

Well to be fair I've never used a torque wrench on mine either. But I didn't have one last time I assembled them. But I have a good idea on what these can handle and know how much pressure I can put on a 3/8 ratchet and not pull threads. Not hitting it with an impact and calling it good like shops do. I do wish these had heavier duty bolts though, with slide pins built into the brackets like most disc brake setups.

IIRC the 2003s have that setup . . . earlier trucks dont.

Floating calipers are just annoying in general. A fixed caliper with pistons on each side that handle the movement are way nicer.

That's what my truck has. I was surprised when I did a brake job to find fixed 4 piston calipers. Definitely my favorite design. I wish I at least had the 03 front brakes on my Durango though.