Hi, after looking, without luck, at other posts for an answer to my problem I now turn to the Dodge community for advice.

I have late 2008 Durango Limited (bought new). At 18 months old and 48,000 miles it developed some knocking/creaking from beneath the body. My Dodge service centre traced to the problem to worn body bushes. I queried why they had worn after such a short time and they said it was due to the car being heavy and the body bushes not being strong enough. I reluctantly paid for a new set in Sept 2010. Now, in May 2012 (20 months later) and 72,000 miles on the clock (24,000 later), the problem has returned. I took the car back to Dodge and they said that the bushes are only guaranteed for 12 months as they are designed to wear away and I will have to pay for their replacement. The car is fully dealer serviced, not used off road or for hauling and is used only on the freeways. My question is; do Durango body bushes need replacing every 18 months and is my Dodge service centre advising me correctly? Surely body bushes should be designed to suit the vehicle and its intended use...heavy and rough?

Thanks
Chris...

 

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-d...s-section.html

ill move this for you this time, but please dont post in the wrong section again (this should be in the 2nd generation section)

 

Chris:

Are we talking about body to frame bushings, swaybar bushings, or?

I would agree with you that the body to frame bushing should not be worn out. Many, many vehicles go to the auto grave yard with their factory original body to frame bushings.

Sounds like these fellows are barking up the wrong tree, or trying to pay off their vacation house with your bank book.

Please describe in greater detail the issue/noise you are experiencing.

Don

 

Don,
It was the body to frame bushings that were replaced in Sep 2010. This solved the clunking/knocking noises until a couple of weeks ago when the noise has started to return. Dodge says that there isn’t a problem with the bushings as they are a wearable item and should be expected to wear away over time with such a heavy car. I agree that they should wear but not after 20 months or 24,000 miles. Like you say, some cars go the scrap yard after many years service with their original bushings. If I replace them again it will be the third set of bushing in a car less than 4 years old.
The noise starts with slight clunk/knock from under the passenger seat when you turn left and load the front right suspension. It then clunks again when you unload the suspension. It only happens on heavy turning initially, like when leaving a freeway slip road. But after time it clunks every time you turn a corner no matter how fast or hard you turn and from both sides of the car. It does not clunk when going over speed bumps and the like.
The service centre showed me the bushings that they last replaced and the rubber had worn until it was metal on metal. It was this that gives the clunking noise as the metal looses its grip and gives a jolt/clunk on turning th car. Is there a central Dodge customer service that I can contact with my complaint, other than my local Dodge service centre?

 

If it were me, I would use Energy Suspension's Polyeurethane aftermarket replacements. They are a vast improvement over OEM/stock rubber bushings. As an added bonus, you can get them in colors too. I mention these because I've used them in a few restorations and they get installed on lifted off road vehicles as a pure upgrade. I also believe the bushes themselves have a warranty.

 

Also, if you can- post a picture of one of the bushes that you've been replacing- that way if I ever have the problem, I know where to look.