I recently bought a 98 Durango, 5.9L 270000 km 4WD, has a JET chip and K&N cold air intake, No cat. Bought it after I drove my gf's 2006. I really like the look of the first gen rangos and the 2nd gen Dodge trucks. Anyway! Im looking at the front end because the front end seems to bounce all over the place. I have been looking through the threads on here already and have some idea what's going on, new shocks and a " dampening issue" as I have read, but, and keep in mind I'm a total a noob to Durango's... there's no coils or springs in the front end. This is new to me. I'm guessing the control arms are acting like a spring? or are the shocks? both? I've seen a lot threads about suspension, but I haven't really found an answer to my query.

 

There are torsion bars. If you look under it, you will seem them. They run from the lower control arm, back to a frame crossmember just in front of the transfer case.

I think you wanna just replace the shocks.

 

Yep, shocks. Also....ball joints, sway bar end links and bushings, tie rods and wheel bearings. Check them all. You'll probably be replacing at least a few of these things.

 

Thanks so much you guys! I had never seen a torsion suspension before, let alone worked on one. I'm used to light to heavy duty trucks, imports with coilovers, typical coil springs and leaf springs. Did some online research about this type of suspension. Pretty cool.
So if my reading and understanding is correct the only real issue a person may have with a torsion setup is if the actual bars are compromised, example, cracks or major rust pitting? Do the bars ever tend to let the vehicle sag or lose their rigidity? I don't have that issue on my 98, however it looks like the GF's 2006's front end may be sitting a bit lower than the back. Is that a typical stance for a Durango?

 

Yeah, the back sits higher, so, when loaded, it's close to level. Drives better that way.

 

Makes sense!

 

**UPDATE***
I finally had some time to work on the new toy.
Replacing the front shocks, I managed to snap off the rusted lower bolt. Great thing was the bolt was so rusted that the broken off portion was rusted to the shock absorber ring. Stripping the entire steering knuckle to the core I finally got the old shock off. The broken off bolt however....I didn't even bother. Cut to, new lower control arms!!
After installing new control arms, The original issue of ride height now in view. Seems the previous owner had the torsion bars maxed as high as they would go. the keys were rammed in so tight even after loosening them, I had to pry bar them out of the cross member. After finding an amazingly informative Video off the "tube", I was able to calculate just how much my suspension was actually out of whack. Whole bunch of maths later, Lucille is sitting pretty and rides soooooo much better. I no longer feel like I'm staring into the sky. I do have to adjust my headlights because of the previous owners decision, the headlights are pointing way too low now. After that, I have to check out the heating system. The selector for heating doesn't seem to fully change. I've read about a vacuum line leak under the hood, all the way to replacing the actuator motor and the actual doors. Going to start the adventure and see what I can find.