well, afte replacing the struts on the wifes LHS saturday morning, I had to run south 100 miles with the 300td. every thing was fine, no wobbles or anything, but when i got out and saw the car from behind i noticed the drivers side rear tire was cocked in.(cant we have a car that the tires just stay on and do what they are supposed to?)

so i crawled under there and took a gander... the rear "A-arm???" was split right across the bottom and 'bout ready to collapse.

I took the car to a friends house and we jacked it up in the garage.
I could not get the arm to straighten out much, but i did fabricate and weld a pan to the bottom of the a arm and managed to get home.

so now the real problems begin.

I need to:

learn the real name & part no. of this part as well as the many others that will need to be replaced.(bushings,etc)

source parts and diagrams of the 300 td sls system

take it all apart and hopefully put it back together

well the rest of the car is in exelent shape, so I will definatly go ahead and fix this.

thanks, mo

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

i call the lower a arm but that is not the official name. it is pressed sheet metal and can rust or it sounds like yours just fatigued. they are available used for from 50 to 200. at my indie they charge me from 2 to 300 per side for labor to change. it can be done by a determined and well equipped hobbiest, as many here have done. me not included.

good luck. glad you got home ok but better not drive it much til you get it changed.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

is it the rear trailing arm? if so parts bin has them for $1650 plus....

has anybody ever replaced this with a four link type and some air bags? might be cheaper...

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

I think the part you are talking about is what is in photo in link. You will most likely need to change the support joint in the wheel carrier too.



Check this link for details on job.
Clanking noise from rear of 300TE: What's the source?

well, i think that ive found the parts i need, but i am still looking for tech info on how to go about changing these out.
are the bushings under pressure...ie do you need to tighten them w/ a load on them?
what else should i do while im there?

the rear axels will have to come out., but the boots look good.

of course I'll replace the worn brake pads.

i guess I'll get the chilton from autozone... I cant afford a $100 book right now, on top of the parts that i must buy.
any help/advice is greatly appreciated
thanks, Mo

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1984 123.193 372,xxx miles, room for Seven.

1999 Dodge Durango Cummins 4BTAA 47RE 5k lb 4x4 getting 25+mpgs, room for Seven.

get a haynes? well i am not sure it has the suspension info you need.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.