Squeaky Dodge Journey

Owners of the 2009 Dodge Journey may complain about a squeak/creak noise heard from the rear of the vehicle while driving over bumps. The problem may involve parking brake cable clamp screw head interference with the rear crossmember right front mounting bolt washer.

Raise and support the vehicle. Locate the parking brake cable clamp screw and rear crossmember mounting bolt washer on both the right and left side of the crossmember.

Check for a minimum of 3mm (0.118 in.) clearance between the parking brake cable clamp screw and the rear crossmember mounting bolt washer.

If the measured clearance is less than the specification, remove the two mounting screws securing each crossmember reinforcement bracket to the body (on each side of the vehicle).

Remove the mounting nuts securing the crossmember reinforcement brackets to the crossmember rear mounting bolts and remove the brackets.

Torque the forward rear crossmember mounting bolts to 70 ft.-lbs. (95 Nm).

Torque the rearward crossmember mounting bolts to 70 ft.-lbs. (95 Nm)).

Position the crossmember reinforcement brackets over the crossmember rear mounting bolt head-studs and install the mounting nuts, but do not tighten at this time.

Install the mounting screws securing the crossmember reinforcement brackets to the body. Torque these screws to 41 ft.-lbs. (55 Nm).

Torque the mounting nuts securing the reinforcement brackets to the rear crossmember mounting bolts to 37 ft.-lbs. (50 Nm).

Lower the vehicle.

REAR CROSSMEMBER CENTERING AND ADJUSTMENT

1. Remove the two mounting screws securing each crossmember reinforcement bracket to the body.

2. Remove the mounting nuts securing the crossmember reinforcement brackets to the crossmember rear mounting bolts. Remove the brackets.

Caution: Do not remove the four mounting bolts in the next step… simply loosen them.

3. Loosen the four mounting bolts securing the crossmember to the body to allow enough movement for repositioning of the crossmember.

4. With the mounting bolts loose, reposition the crossmember to allow a minimum of 3mm clearance between the parking brake cable clamp screw head and the rear crossmember mounting bolt washer. If available, place a 3mm spacer between the parking brake cable clamp screw head and the rear crossmember mounting bolt washer.

THE NEXT STEP IS CRITICAL IN SECURING THE CROSSMEMBER TO THE BODY AND MUST BE DONE PRIOR TO SECURING THE REAR FASTENERS.

5. Once the crossmember position has been adjusted for clearance on both sides, tighten the crossmember’s forward mounting bolts. If a temporary clearance spacer is being used, make sure that the spacer remains in place while securing the front fasteners.

6.  Torque the forward crossmember mounting bolts to 95 Nm (70 ft.-lbs.).

7. Torque the crossmember’s rear mounting bolts to 95 Nm (70 ft.-lbs.).

8. Remove the 3mm spacer (if used).

9. Position the crossmember reinforcement brackets over the crossmember rear mounting bolt head/studs and install the mounting nuts, but do not tighten at this time.

10. Install the mounting screws securing the crossmember reinforcement brackets to the body, and torque to 55 Nm (41 ft.-lbs.).

11. Torque the mounting nuts securing the reinforcement brackets to the rear crossmember mounting bolts to 50 Nm (37 ft.-lbs.).

12. Lower the vehicle and perform rear wheel alignment as necessary.