Tension Struts... Let's chat, I found something interesting..

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

for awhile people have been having the Tension Strut Bushing Fail, this causes clunking and vibration when driving..

Back at Spring Fest, Chrysler had a Cut-Away Challenger Model on display, I was able to see the Tension struts and get the part numbers off the arm..

cross-referencing that part number (5290828AA and 5290829AA (Right and Left)) showed that Chrysler had changed the part in 2009 (talking about SRT part here)

additionally the part for the SRT and the v6 and 5.7L models was now different (as of 2007) those part numbers are 4782612AC and 4782613AC (right and left).


----


Ok so since there is a difference in part numbers and my research here and on 3CF showed that the SRT guys were not having (or at least reporting) the issue as much as the V6 and 5.7L lead me to believe the part is actually different.


So one day when I was working at the three lettered race shop everyone hates, I was able to look at and compare an SRT and 5.7L Tension Strut..

Both parts are the same length, but the SRT part is thicker, the bushing is thicker but not as large in diameter, and the bearing on the other end was more than twice the size in diameter.

So I ordered some of the SRT parts and they fit perfect on my 5.7L and low and behold 3 years of steering vibration (very slight, but still there) at 65-75mph was gone..

I bought them a few weeks prior to my torque convertor seizing and taking the short block and tranmission with it.

so while my car was getting warranty repair for those items I asked the dealer if he could install the Tension Struts as everything was apart anyway.

Since technically the Tension Struts are a warranty item, they replaced them using my SRT parts under my Max Care plan.. But they had to order the replacement parts (this was back on July 24th BTW)


That brings us to today:

I got a phone call this morning that my parts were in.. WTF? Well since I had supplied my own Tension Struts, and they warrantied it, they had to order the correct parts for my car, so they thought to be nice they would just give them to me and allow me to return them for cash to cover the cost of the SRT ones I purchased..


That was very nice of them, however once I saw the Tension Struts I opted to keep them, and this is why...


There is a new V6 and 5.7L part number for 2010, and that is what I received..

the box was marked with the 2009 replacement part number 5180607AA and 5810606AA (left and right)

BUT

the parts in the box were marked 5070123 and 5070122 (Left and Right) revision is presumed to be AA (last 2 digits)

Dealer look it up and it is a new part number for 2010 and this is why:

a completely revised bushing:






compare that to the old bushing, which is solid:



and cracks like this:








additionally you will note that the bushing has it's own part number 5180608AA and dealer showed this had a cost of $1.00 but I suspect that is because there is no actual price set for it yet.. But this means the bushing can now be ordered separately and pressed into the existing Tension Strut, I didn't want to remove the safety cap off the bearing, but I am wondering if that too will be a separate part number, seeing as Moog is now making/selling it as a separate part.

[zonian]

exactly what I'm saying, I thought the bushings that came with my new tension struts looked different than stock; I feel better now.


Tension strut and upper Control Arm



Paul

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

exactly what I'm saying, I thought the bushings that came with my new tension struts looked different than stock; I feel better now.


Tension strut and upper Control Arm



Paul

I linked that thread back to here so people will not get confused between our 2 postings.

[Shane T.]

I linked that thread back to here so people will not get confused between our 2 postings.

So which part # should I order for my 06 RT to get the best one? Thanks

Shane T.

[zonian]

I would say go with 5070123 and 5070122 (Left and Right) because they have a revised (presumably improved???) bushing.

Paul

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

So which part # should I order for my 06 RT to get the best one? Thanks

Shane T.

the V6 and 5.7L part numbers are:

5180607AA and 5810606AA (left and right)


The SRT part numbers are:

5290828AA and 5290829AA (Right and Left)


the SRT part has a thicker arm and larger bearing.. I think it is a better part overall, but the new bushing on the V6/5.7L part looks as if it will last longer..

depends on your suspension setup and driving style I guess.

[BuckeyeRT]

I was just going to post a similar thread. I just picked one up for the pass side and the bushing threw me off. I asked the guy at the counter, was this redesigned? He said no...

[Shane T.]

How much should they run? or would it be cheaper to order from someone on this board?

[leveil22]

got these new ones when I replaced mine too

[BuckeyeRT]

I just got one for $77 at my dealer.

[progolfer82]

Just bought those Mevotech tension struts through rock auto and you are saying those are the same as the OEM? I was told the bushing was better then stock but didnt know about the new 2010 design of the bushing. I get my tension struts tomorrow and will install this weekend. I hope that fixes the clunk and dont want it to come back for A LONG!! TIME!!

[liljoejoe54]

That is good to hear that they changed the bushing. Both of mine ripped a while ago and it looks like the sided that ripped look way thicker on the new bushings so hopefully they hold up a lot better.

[jg]

Great descriptieve post with part #'s! I just installed tension struts (new design) on my Magnum RT. The old one's were the solid bushing type, and barely had cracks in them, but the new ones solved my clunking/vibration issues. A local dealer had them in stock.

[Hemissary]

Great info, thanks; so the 2010 design busing will fit the OEM struts on a 2005 Dodge Magnum? And if one wishes to employ the SRT struts, they need the entire strut assembly, correct?

the V6 and 5.7L part numbers are:

5180607AA and 5810606AA (left and right)


The SRT part numbers are:

5290828AA and 5290829AA (Right and Left)


the SRT part has a thicker arm and larger bearing.. I think it is a better part overall, but the new bushing on the V6/5.7L part looks as if it will last longer..

depends on your suspension setup and driving style I guess.

[Coopers_Dad]

Those are the same ones that I got from Adam at Eastway last week. I immediately noticed the different bushing.

I still haven't installed them though.