iFixit - Answers With Device "1998-2003 Dodge Durango"

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: What do I do when the mechanic is wrong?

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 12:05:36 -0700

I took my Durango in for an alignment after I just put on new inner & outer tie rods on both sides, the shop said that they cant align it because of a bad upper ball joint on the passengers side. Looks like im gonna now have to do ball joints. BUT, the mechanic had said that he is 90% sure that I put the outer tie rod in the steering knuckle upside down! I have spent hours looking through the internet at pictures, etc. for the tie rods on my 2000 dodge durango & they all show the outer tie rod ball joint has the threads pointing up in the steering knuckle, just like I did on mine. The alignment guy has to be wrong! What do I do? Though I am expecting to replace the ball joints, after they claim just the upper passenger side ball joint is bad, if I do one im gonna do them all. But to do this will take a lot of driving around, which concerns me, not about the ball joints but the alignment issue. Since they didn’t align it, I am worried what harm could that cause? Is it dangerous? Can something break? It feels ok driving, but it always had even before the new tie rods. I didn’t even know the inner tie rods were bad until I took it in to have a few of the lug nut studs replaced and when up on the rack the mechanic notified me, he said only the inner ones but I replaced both inner & outer. I have even checked a few times for bad ball joints when doing the tie rods while up on jacks. I found no play, only play at 9 & 3 o'clock, indicating faulty tie rods.

Again, what should I be concerned about, if anything driving my durango being outta of alignment?

Should I get a second opinion? Would it be safe to drive it another shop?

THANK YOU

⟐ Answered September 13, 2023 at 12:05 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: Alignment is off after hitting a parked car, how do I diagnose it?

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 09:18:48 -0700

So long story short. The durango I'm working on has damage done to the entire right side including the body. The concern is while the steering wheel is straight.( Im not a mechanic by any means, but I have been able to fix my own cars with no issue. I apologize for not knowing the name of parts.) The left wheel is straight but the right wheel appears to be off by a little over 20 degrees to the right. The only thing that stands out is a bent ball join on the lower control arm. Im also feeling a little more movement than I should in the power rack connecting to the right wheel. I don't have access to a chilton repair guide. So how would I go about eliminating problems? Ive tried adjusting the upper control arm because after the accident it was loose enough to move by hand. That didn't help anything. After trial and error of the upper control arm Ive eliminated that as an issue. Tie rod is also is good shape. When turning the wheel in both directions it will worsen the angle it is off. The durango isn't worth enough for me to bring it to a shop. Nor do I have any speciality tools. Id like to get it up on the road and driving again.

This isn't an answer, These are the pictures of what I believe is the problem. (Mr.Chomsky)

⟐ Answer unaccepted September 26, 2017 at 9:18 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: Is this my transmission or my timing?

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 10:29:35 -0700

About a year ago, my kids and I were on a road trip from california to missouri. When I got through SLC, Utah the truck rpms shot up to around 5000 and the temperature gauge was showing hot. I quickly got off the road at my first opportunity to check it out. This is going uphill, btw. When I couldn't find anything, I gave the key a few turns to see if I could pull up any codes, nothing. I basically nursed the truck the rest of the way without getting on the throttle for fear of messing something up. Ever since that incident, it's been sluggish getting up to speed, feeling like it's not shifting when it should and causing it to hit around 3000 rpms just to get up to highway speeds (65 mph here) but even then, it's only wanting to level out around 55-60. Took it to a transmission place, they couldnt pull up any codes. They say “its driving and shifting” fine. I disagree. Today, I had to push it to 4000 rpms just so I could get up to 55 and merge before the lane ended. And after that, it didnt want to go below 2000 rpms. It usually settles on 18-1900 rpms at 65-70 mph. This is a 2001 4.7 4×4. Can someone please help me narrow down the issues I'm having here?

⟐ Commented June 17, 2023 at 10:29 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: 2003 Durango will not crank

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 00:51:42 -0700

my 2003 will not turnover, replaced starter and computer and still will not even crank over. any ideas???

⟐ Answered October 28, 2019 at 0:51 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: Changing old oil pan

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 11:10:10 -0700

I have an 03 Dodge Durango sxt with the 4.7l v8 2wd and I need help on figuring out how to replace the oil pan.

⟐ Answer accepted November 25, 2022 at 11:10 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: How do I go about r and r ing a bad freeze plug?

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 21:22:35 -0700

My sons 1998 Dodge Durango had a cracked radiator. We have replaced the radiator and started refilling the system and there she blows, a steady stream of fluid coming from the front most freeze plug on the passenger side of the block. Is there an easy way to remove one of these? I remember wrestling with one years ago and I seem to remember it being a pain in the a__!

⟐ Answered March 10, 2020 at 21:22 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: Stalling when stopping and driving struggles to get power also.

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 04:59:05 -0700

New exhaust cat converter vehicle speed sensor, both 02 sensors, throttle pos sensor, crankshaft and camshaft sensors, idle air control value, and lastly the PCM/ECM computer is refurbished not brand new but guaranteed. And its still stalling when slowing down or stopping and in idle even driving down the road looses power and struggles to go at all and then dies. I am at a lost someone help please.

⟐ Answered March 10, 2020 at 4:59 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: Front Fuel High Pressure Line Quick Disconnect Connector Fuel Leaking

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 14:11:21 -0700

1998 Dodge Durango 5.2L 4x4 Front High Pressure Line Quick Disconnect Connector Fuel dripping slowly/randomly.....any known fixes/hacks?

⟐ Answered March 22, 2025 at 14:11 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: Does the 2000 model Durango have inner tie rod ends in the front

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 16:40:57 -0700

I purchased a kit with inner tie rods an we wasnt able to find any inner tie rod ends in the front

⟐ Answered September 26, 2024 at 16:40 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: DETERIORATING HEADLINER ... what to do?

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 18:10:43 -0700

Does any one have any suggestions of what I can do to about my deteriorating headliner in my 2000 Dodge Durango. I tried spray glue and I was very pleased of how it was working until the next day when I found it all hanging down much worse. It seems to me that the "steriphone type material" underneath the "cloth type materiel" wouldn’t hold because of the deteriorating material crumbling. I can't think of any solutions, not even a clue. It's really bad now, interfering with my vision. THANK YOU

⟐ Answered July 17, 2023 at 18:10 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: Won't shift from Park to any gear and no brake lights

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 07:45:44 -0700

Won't shift into gear from Park to any gear no brake lights replace the brake light switch and still same problem

⟐ Answered July 06, 2022 at 7:45 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: Ill ecm for 5.2 work on 5.9

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 19:59:42 -0700

Will 5.9 using ecm for 5.2 mak engine skip misfire and run rough?

⟐ Answered June 17, 2020 at 19:59 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: Help! 2000 Durango No crank no start no bus whats wrong?

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 21:22:56 -0700

Why does my 12v light tester light up when i go from battery ground to fuse box ground? Im wondering why i have a no crank,no start on my Durango so i traced all wiring from ignition switch to starter problem seems to be at ground wire from fuse box to alternator i think and i replaced starter relay and it doesnt switch on when i crank it. Also showing No bus please help!

⟐ Commented February 06, 2020 at 21:22 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: Why do the park light stay on whild driving

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 22:36:26 -0700

why do the park light stay on whild driving my 2003 Dodge Durango

⟐ Commented October 21, 2019 at 22:36 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: Why do the seats morv about a inch both directions while breaking

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 13:25:26 -0700

why do the seats morv about a inch both directions while breaking and accelerating

⟐ Answered October 21, 2019 at 13:25 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: How do I get a bad freeze plug out?

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 15:22:33 -0700

I have a bad freeze plug in my 1998 Dodge Durango. Is there an easy way to get it out.

⟐ Answered April 15, 2019 at 15:22 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: broke my 4x4 shifter linkage

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 17:23:56 -0700

the bushings went out on my linkage. I orderd new ones. my question is does the shifter cover on the floor have anything to do with the transfer case engaging into the different 4x4 selections? does that connect to transfer case just to light up or for the performance of the transfercase?

⟐ Answered January 10, 2018 at 17:23 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: Over heated motor won’t start

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:41:44 -0700

Overheated won’t start

⟐ Commented October 28, 2024 at 0:41 MST

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: Radiator coolant level checking dipstick does not have a cover.

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 11:22:21 -0700

Is the rad pressure compromised?

1998-2003 Dodge Durango: Does the gen1 durango have a Cabin air filter

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 17:48:19 -0700

When I turn the ac/ heat fan on at any range but especially on high I don't seem to get the volume of air I think I should get. My first thought is change the cabin air filter but I can't find one. If not, where might their be a place for a blockage?