Veteran batsmen Mark Ramprakash and Mark Butcher were amongst the runs yet again but Surrey closed a rain-affected second day 101 behind Durham at 123-4.
A further two hours were lost in the match to rain during the morning after the loss of half a day on Wednesday.
Mark Stoneman edged to third slip in the eighth over as Durham collapsed.
Graham Onions was far more dangerous than Steve Harmison when Durham bowled, but Ramprakash and Butcher shared 99, the captain departing in the last over.
Durham lost their advantage after Dale Benkenstein and Mark Stoneman's partnership was broken on 141 and they were rapidly skittled out.
Onions then ripped out the Surrey openers with only 18 on the board, pinning Jon Batty lbw with a full-length ball and bringing one back to bowl Scott Newman when the left-hander shouldered arms.
Butcher looked in prime form as he easily outpaced his usually prolific partner, reaching an 82-ball half-century with nine fours.
He had reached 65 when to the fifth ball of the day's final over he edged Neil Killeen low to first slip, where Neil McKenzie held his second catch.
Ramprakash had earlier fallen for 31 when Onions returned for his late spell.
Attempting a forcing shot off the back foot, the former England batsman edged and was comfortably taken at first by Neil McKenzie.
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