Squeaking usually indicates bushings. Squeaking is not a failure.
So, first off, it sounds like the shop may have sold a service that wasn't
required.
Assuming it was required, 99 Dakotas and Durangos were available with 17x9
rims and 255x55x17 tires from the factory in an R/T configuration. They
also came with 15x8 rims when optioned with the sport handling package. So
the rims are not any wider than available from the factory, and the tire
width is within factory available sizes. In this case I'd call them on
their BS.
Something you didn't mention was the rim offset. Do these rims stick out
further than the factory ones did? That CAN add additional stress to the
suspension and wear out parts faster.
TonyC
-----Original Message-----
From: blackdak@tampabay.rr.com <blackdak@tampabay.rr.com>
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net <dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net>
Date: Friday, December 05, 2003 9:07 AM
Subject: DML: Lower control arm replacement (kinda long)
This question actually pertains to my father's 99 Durango 4x2. But,
since the front suspensions are identical, here it goes: My father had
the lower control arm assemblies (arm, ball joint, bushings) replaced
last week by the dealer because they were squeaking. His aftermarket
warranty company (not Chrysler) is refusing to reimburse him for it
because of the aftermarket rims and tires. The warranty adjuster said
that because they are wider than the factory rims (they are 15x7 w/
255-70-15 tires), the lower arms wore prematurely. Now, we know this is
a crock of sh*t, because the Durango and Dakotas are available from the
factory with wider wheels & tires than my Dad has installed. What I am
wondering is if anybody has had their arms replaced while still
utilizing the factory wheels & tires? Or, has anybody come across a TSB?
I checked alldata.com and allpar.com and found nothing. Thanks for any
and all help.
Alex
97 Sport V8 5spd.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Feb 06 2004 - 11:47:12 EST