Yeah, the rims do have quite a bit of negative offset. My father had to put
the 4x4 fender flares on to keep them tucked under.
I'm starting to wonder if that was the cause of the bushing failure. I can't
find anything on lower control arm problems, only upper.
Alex
97 Sport V8 5spd
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony Cellana" <acellan1@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net>
Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2003 10:01 AM
Subject: DML: Re: Lower control arm replacement (kinda long)
>
> 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.
>
>
>
>
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