| From | Message |
born2steel21
GenIII
 
8/15/2002
22:47:19
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 Subject: RE: Ball Joints
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Message:
I'm going tomorrow to the dealership to try to get mine replaced. I just installed the T.C. Lift and I can't even get aligned because of them. Got it pretty close but now my steering wheel is at the 8:00 o'clock position straight on. I'll post how it goes.
-- Death Before Dismount --
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Skeletor86
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
8/16/2002
18:49:57
| RE: Ball Joints
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Message:
Are the going to replace the ball joints even with the lift? Also what year is your Dak?
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born2steel21
GenIII
8/16/2002
22:12:20
| RE: Ball Joints
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Message:
Yep...going to install the moog ball joints with the grease fittings...decided against bringing it to the dealer. I talked to a friend that works there and she said that they would probably do everything within their power to void my warrenty on them. Plus I don't want them putting in ball joints that are just as crappy and have them go out in 10,000 miles or less. So I'm just gonna go with moog joints. I have a 99 dakota regular cab and the lift with goodyear AT/S's looks very badass. I am very pleased with the lift.
-- Death Before Dismount --
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nomoredodge
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/04/2002
00:09:42
|  RE: Ball Joints
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Message:
I have a 2001 QC 2-wheel drive. The upper ball Joint is shot and I cannot find a replacement except for the Doidge replacement in which they legally rob you since they include the upper control arm, so you pay $200 when all you need is a $50 ball joint. Is there any place to buy a ball joint for the 2001? Everywhere I call does not list them. Also, does the spring need to be compressed when replacing the upper control arm?
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born2steel21
GenIII
9/04/2002
01:18:28
| RE: Ball Joints
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Message:
as for right now there are no aftermarket replacements for the 2000+ dakotas. Someone was on here saying they used the 97-99 Moog ball joints on their 2000+ dakota and it worked fine. Can't remember what thread it was under. I believe Knobbyman is about to attempt the same thing so you might want to shoot him an e-mail to see how things go.
-- Death Before Dismount --
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
9/04/2002
08:17:10
| RE: Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
.. why don't people use there regular names? ..
nomore - back on this thread abit gunboat stated
"hi evveryone
just finished installing moog upper & lower balljoints on my 2000 dakota quad cab. the moog part #'s were for a 1999 dakota. fit great. had talked to a moog tech rep he could not tell me if the 99's would fit on my 2000. told him that the new 2003's would be out soon. said the front office was aware of the problem. so i took matters into my on hands, decided to install the parts anyway. like i said they fit fine. hopes this helps. don
"
I looked up the part #'s for a 99 4x2 for you.
The upper is MOOG part #K778 = $31.03.
The lower is MOOG part #K7155 = $43.59.
You would need one for each side and you can get those prices @ www.rockauto.com
Born2Steal21 - I'm actually going to try some of that open grease & chain lube that kc8lbn was talking about. I'm trying to find a upper control arm from a junk yard that way my truck isn't dead while NAPA is looking for a replacement.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
6" Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks it faster----
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born2steel21
GenIII
9/04/2002
14:26:58
| RE: Ball Joints
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Message:
Knobby, after soaking my leafs down for a couple days with silicone spray, the squeak is starting to fade away. BTW, if your looking for any used suspension components for your truck go to www.car-parts.com. They cross reference used parts in junkyards and other places nation wide and the parts are put in order from most expensive to cheapest. You can even break the searches down by state. It's about the best used parts site that I've seen on the internet.
-- Death Before Dismount --
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
9/04/2002
15:08:55
| RE: Ball Joints
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Message:
WHOO HOO!!!! that's the website I've been looking for that I couldn't remember the URL to .. thanks ;-) looks like I'm going to be on my way to pick up some Upper-Control arms this weekend.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
6" Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks it faster----
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born2steel21
GenIII
9/04/2002
15:31:42
| RE: Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
glad to be of service...let me know how it goes
-- Death Before Dismount --
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
9/04/2002
16:10:45
| RE: Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
:( no one has anything for a 4x4 2000+ dakota :( I'm going to start calling on Oklohoma
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
6" Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks it faster----
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97 dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/05/2002
07:24:04
| RE: Ball Joints
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Message:
Sad to report that the new Dakota trucks still don't have ball joints with grease fittings.
What's that tell you about Chrysler. Better buy the extended warranty.
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Kevinj251
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/09/2002
22:02:18
|  RE: Ball Joints
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Message:
I have a 2002 Dodge Dakota QC. I have brought my truck to the dealer 2 times for a banging noise in the front end when I make a turn. Is that the ball joints ??? I only have 9000 miles on it... Thay told me that they did not find any thing wrong.
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born2steel21
GenIII
9/10/2002
17:40:07
| RE: Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
stay persistant and annoying...its about the only way your going to get anything done...if its a clunking sound when turning then it probably is.
-- Death Before Dismount --
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Brad
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/10/2002
20:17:32
| RE: Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
I have the same problem clunk when left turn, been to the dealer once, got pissed, found nothing wrong. Has gotten worse since, been about a month. Have an 02 slt+ cc 4x2. If they find the problem please tell me so I can tell my dealer what is wrong. (that sounds backwards!)
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born2steel21
GenIII
9/10/2002
23:11:59
| RE: Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
like I said before, the only way their going to do anything about it is if you constantly stay up their a$$ about it. I mean your going to have to be annoying as hell...call 10 times a day and drive up there before and after work...ask to talk to the manager...bring up that its the probably ball joints...do everything in your power to annoy them to death with it and don't hold back anything...they'll eventually get tired of hearing and seeing you so they'll go ahead and replace them just to get you out of their hair.
Its always worked for me...:-)
-- Death Before Dismount --
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JB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/11/2002
07:42:32
|  Brad and Kevin
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Message:
Brad and Kevin,
Listen; Here is what you need to do. Jack the left front wheel up by the lower control arm. (As far out board as possible) Once the wheel is off the ground. Grab the tire at the top and bottom and rock it. (Push with the right hand and pull with the left....and visa versa.) If there is excessive play your ball joints are shot! From the sounds of it (Brad) just your left side is the problem. Now armed with this knowledge your only going to have to make one trip to the dealer! Upon arrival have them jack it up. Keep in mind if they don't jack it up as far out as possible on the lower control arm the suspension will keep pressure on the ball joints and they will appear to have no play. (A dealer trick.) Now once they have it jacked up properly calmly walk over and show them. If it's as bad as it sounds there will be no questions asked….. they will replace both the upper and lower.
If they claim the "slop" is with in the allowable amount! Ask them to prove it by following these instructions……….. To check the lower ball joint on a Chrysler product, you must place the jack stands under the lower control arm.. The jack stands must support some or all the vehicle weight. Remove the wheel; position a dial indicator against the bottom surface of the steering knuckle lower ball joint boss. Using a pry bar, pry down on the upper suspension arm and zero the dial indicator. Reposition the pry bar under the UPPER control arm and pry up. Record the dial indicator reading. If the travel is more than .060 inches you replace the lower ball joint.
Don't worry, its unheard of for a mechanic to take the time to measure loose ball joints. They are trained to just know what's out of spec. Any dealership will replace them before they spend the money and time to take measurements with a dial indicator.
Oh yeah, D.B.D the wars over. Save the 10 calls a day for your shrink.
A little knowledge goes a long way.
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Brad
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/11/2002
17:01:13
| RE: Ball Joints
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Message:
I have been to the dealer once and when I took them on a ride the mechanic said he couldn't hear it. He got out during the ride and went to the right side and started moving the tire back and forth with one hand on the right and one on the left. There was a fair amount of play and the engine was turned off. He said it needs an alignment. Well I got an alignment at 1000 miles and of course that did not fix it. Now at 2040 miles it has gotten worse. I think the dealer is just taking advantage of me because I am only 16. Well I will be going back soon because the wheel flare that they had to replace from chipping has a very thin layer of paint on it and I can see the grey primer in normal daylight! Thanks for all your help and I will go on another ride with them and might try jacking it up and doing what you said. If they still refuse then I will get the dealer to do it in front of me. I just hate going to the dealer and seeing my truck sit there for a day and them only working on it for 20 minutes.
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brad
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/11/2002
17:17:21
| RE: Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
sorry the engine was on when he moved the wheel from left to right. I jacked up the right wheel and no play so will now do left and post later what happens.
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Brad
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/11/2002
18:16:15
| RE: Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
did the left and no play, any other suggestions??
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Kevinj251
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/11/2002
20:03:22
| RE: Ball Joints
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Message:
Thanks everyone for your help I am going to the dealer this week it is just a pain going back so many times
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born2steel21
GenIII
9/11/2002
23:51:06
| RE: Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
I know what you mean...I hated having to bring my truck back to the dealer day after day. They finally fixed my transmission on my ranger though (couple years ago). JB, I didn't know how to check to see if the ball joints were bad. Thanks for sharing the info. BTW, I told my shrink about the nice guy that helped me learn about testing ball joints but then I found myself back in the jungle. Freakin flashbacks!!!
-- Death Before Dismount --
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
9/12/2002
09:21:19
| RE: Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
Just a really quick FYI..
If you jack your truck up by the lower ball joint and there is play that's not always the ball joints. My Wheel Bearing is shot and it does the same thing :-\
Brad - if you jacked up your truck and there isn't any play it might not be the ball joints.. What'd I'd do it get under your truck and start banging on and moving things until you can re-produce the noise then you know where it's comming from and you can point it out to the dealer.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
6" Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks it faster----
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Drew
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/12/2002
19:57:20
| RE: Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
Brad, did you buy your truck used or new??
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dkr8611
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/13/2002
09:40:27
|  RE: Ball Joints
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Message:
I have play in my Left front tire as well. No play in the right. That is strange.
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trevor
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/14/2002
06:05:07
|  RE: Ball Joints
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Message:
I own a 1992 dakota sport 4x4 3.9 liter v6
I am getting a rattlling noise and wondered if it was my ball joints. its on the front drivers side.
I read a lot of stuff about new dakotas but nothing on the older.
how hard would the ball joints be to replace my self?
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Brad
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/14/2002
10:11:04
| RE: Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
Drew -
I bought my truck new. Why do you ask?
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Steve
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/16/2002
11:36:03
| RE: Ball Joints
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Message:
I bought a new '89 Dakota that had grease fittings in the ball joints. I greased them every 3K while changing oil. I ran that truck for 110,000 miles. When I traded it in for a '98 Dakota, the front end was almost as tight as new. The new truck has no fittings, except for the tie rod ends. Apparently, this is another case where the bean counters overrule the engineers, even though the cost of adding grease fittings would be minimal. With the government so concerned about auto safety, one would think that they would mandate suspension and driveline parts that can actually be lubricated. If a wheel comes off or a front U joint comes apart and the drive shaft drops, the results could be deadly.
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R/TBlues
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/16/2002
23:16:19
| RE: Ball Joints
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Message:
The clumping noises can't mean the ball joints are bad. I bought a new Dakota just recently and it made this noise the first time I turned the wheels hard left and went over a dip in a parking lot. It sounded like something in the front end broke. If that's a sign the ball joints are worn out then my were worn out in the first 50 miles I owned it.
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UWGriz
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/24/2002
11:26:21
| RE: Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
R/TBlues, I'm pretty sure they come from the factory bad so don't be shocked. It's a new feature from Chrysler - "We wear them out so you don't have to." BTW, Yes, I'm bitter about this because I have less than 70K miles and have the third set in the truck and need to start lining up the fourth. Every time it's been a "discussion" with the dealer to get them replaced. Moog, here I come...
Steve, you're absolutely right about the bean counters winning out over the engineers. When I graduated, I thought I wanted to work for one of the big three and quickly realized that the engineers never win over the bean counters and marketing folks. If they did, I think our trucks would be very different. Sign of the times - 2WD Jeeps with IFS... They're out there and I don't think it was from engineers jumping up and down saying "Can we please build it?" Be afraid, be very afraid.
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
9/24/2002
11:55:30
| RE: Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
lol LOL!!!
I'm picturing abunch of engineers w/ there pocketprotectors and thick glasses jumping up and down with joy while standing around a IFS jeep.
LOL!!!
ahhhh thx for the laugh UWGriz.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
6" Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks it faster----
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