Rear Leaf Springs - Squeaking/Clicking Noise
BULLETIN NUMBER:02-05-00
GROUP:
Suspension
DATE:
Mar.17, 2000
SUBJECT:
Squeaking/**Clicking** Noise From Rear Leaf Springs
MODELS:
1997 - 2000 (AN) Dakota
1998 - 2000 (DN) Durango
THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 02-15-99, DATED NOV. 5, 1999, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES. ALL REVISIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED WITH **ASTERISKS** AND INCLUDE REVISED SUBJECT, PART NUMBERS, AND DIAGNOSIS.
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves replacing the spring tip liners and installing spring clinch clips and isolators.
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Squeaking/**Clicking** noise coming from the rear of the vehicle.
DIAGNOSIS:
**If the customer indicates that the vehicle has a squeaking/clicking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle, verify that the noise is coming from the rear springs as the vehicle's suspension goes through jounce and rebound. If a squeaking/clicking noise is coming from the rear springs, perform the Repair Procedure.**
**NOTE: PERFORM THE REPAIR PROCEDURE ON ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS MISSING TIP LINERS OR MISSING CLINCH CLIP ISOLATORS AND A SQUEAKING/CLICKING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE REAR SPRINGS.
PARTS REQUIRED:
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
(2) Large C-Clamps (5 - 6 in.)
Large Pry Bar
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
DAKOTA
1. Raise the vehicle on an appropriate frame support style lift (rear axle must be allowed to extend fully)
Figure 1:
2. Use an appropriate pry bar to bend open the rear spring clinch clip (Figure 1).
Figure 2:
3. Use the pry bar to spread apart the leaf (Figure 2). The clearance between the leaves should be enough to remove the old spring tip liner (if necessary) and install the new replacement spring tip liner.
Figure 3:
4. Remove the old spring tip liner by using a hammer to drive the spring tip liner from the leaf spring (Figure 3).
5. With the prybar still inserted between the leaves, install a new spring tip liner, pin 05017561AA, onto the leaf.
6. Firmly seat the spring tip liner onto the leaf.
NOTE: THE SPRING TIP LINER IS PROPERLY INSTALLED WHEN THE RETAINING PIN IS POINTING TOWARD THE PAVEMENT AND THE WEAR PAD IS CONTACTING THE LEAF SPRING.
7 **Apply a small amount of lubricant pin 05018626AA to the tip liner wear Pad.**
8. Perform steps 3 through 7 to the other spring tip liner
Figure 4:
9. Remove the clinch clip isolator from Clinch Clip and Isolator Package pin 02808399. The isolator will need to be trimmed to properly fit on Dakota models. Scribe a mark on the isolator 127 mm (5 in.) from the end of the isolator (Figure 4) then, cut the excess from the isolator.
10. Install the isolator onto the new clinch clip.
11. Position the clinch clip onto the spring in the same location as where the old clinch clip was removed.
12. Install the bottom clamp of the clinch clip.
Figure 5:
13. Compress the clinch clip and the spring using a C-Clamp (Figure 5).
Figure 6:
14. With a hammer, bend the clinch clip tabs outboard and upward to secure the clinch clip onto the spring (Figure 6).
15. Repeat Steps 2 through 14 to remove and install all spring tip liners and clinch clips.
16. Lower the vehicle.
DURANGO
1. Raise the vehicle on an appropriate frame support style lift (rear axle must be allowed to extend fully).
Figure 7:
2. Use an appropriate pry bar to bend open the rear spring clinch clip (Figure 7).
3. Use the pry bar to spread apart the leaf (Figure 2). The clearance between the leaves should be enough to remove the old spring tip liner (if necessary) and install the new replacement spring tip liner.
4. Remove the old spring tip liner by using a hammer to drive the spring tip liner from the leaf spring (Figure 3).
5. With the prybar still inserted between the leaves, install a new spring tip liner, p/n **52113135AA**, onto the leaf.
6. Firmly seat the spring tip liner onto the leaf.
NOTE: THE SPRING TIP LINER IS PROPERLY INSTALLED WHEN THE RETAINING PIN IS POINTING TOWARD THE PAVEMENT AND THE WEAR PAD IS CONTACTING THE LEAF SPRING.
7. **Apply a small of lubricant p/n 05018626AA to the tip liner wear pad.**
8. Perform steps 3 through 7 to the other two spring tip liners.
9. Install the clinch clip isolator onto the new clinch clip (see Parts Required section).
Figure 8:
10. Position the new clinch clip so that the alignment tang lines up with the hole in the spring leaf (Figure 8).
Figure 9:
11. The clinch clip isolator and the leaf spring assembly will need to be compressed. Clamp the clinch clip and spring assembly using a C-Clamp (Figure 9).
Figure 10:
Figure 11:
12. Tightly clamp the side of the clinch clip to the leaf spring assembly with a second C-Clamp as shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11. Make sure that the foot of the C-Clamp does not protrude below the bottom of the leaf spring.
Figure 12:
13. Remove the first C-Clamp that was installed in Step 10 (Figure 12).
Figure 13:
14. Using a hammer, bend the inboard clinch clip leg onto the leaf spring assembly until the locating tab is positioned into its locating hole on the leaf spring (Figure 13).
15. Next, bend the outboard clinch clip leg onto the leaf spring.
Figure 14:
16. Secure the clinch clip by bending the locking tab over (Figure 14).
17. Perform Steps 1 through 16 to all clinch clips and spring tip liners.
18. Lower the vehicle.
POLICY: Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.
TIME ALLOWANCE:
FAILURE CODE: P8-New Part