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Dealer, TSB's and Recalls
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Hubbub
Dodge Dakota
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12/11/2002
17:42:04

Subject: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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I have a 2000 4x4 ext.cab 4.7, with a 5 speed manual trans. I really like the truck, the body style and ride are great. But I also have the clunk from the frontend. The clunk is very loud only really after it rains or there is alot of moisture in the air. The clunk is heard when I make a turn or go over a hard bump, sometimes even when I accelerate hard in 1st to 2nd gear. It sounds to me it is coming from a ball joint. I crawled underneath to take a look and there are no grease fittings for lube. The one rubber boot for ball joint is kind of collapsed. I am not really sure if that is the problem, or if it could be something else.
I also wonder if my tranny or clutch could be another problem. When I am in neutral and I let the clutch out it seems like a throwout bearing makes a noise. My trans seems very jerky when I deccelerate. I have been driving manual transmission cars & trucks for 20 years. I have never seen one shift like this truck does, it doesn't seem right.
Another noise seems to come from the rear suspension. I hear it when I go over a speed bump or something like that. It sounds to me like a broken leaf spring, but when I crawl underneath, I don't see any cracks or broken springs.
The truck has 45,000 miles on it, I bought it last July used with 35,000 miles on it. I purchased the extended warranty through DC, till 83,000 miles. Glad I did!! I previously owned a 95 Dodge Ram 2wd, it had 189,000 miles on it and still had power and didn't burn oil. It just had too many little things starting to go wrong with everything else. I'm back to the same thing only now with a payment. :-(
Now I have it to the dealer twice and they cannot find anything wrong with the truck. I cannot duplicate the noise when they ride with me. Therefore they cannot fix it, if they don't hear anything wrong. I should take it to another dodge dealer somewhere else.
Does anyone else have any suggestions on what I should tell them first or what to do in a case like this, or what the problem could be. I would really like to stay a gentleman about the matter if I could with the dealership.



Littlebabyram
Dodge Dakota
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12/13/2002
23:01:07

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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I'm not sure if this helps but I had a car with a problem similar to your first one. It turned out to be a broken motor mount. I also thought ball joint because I heard the noise mostly during slow speed turns (parking lots and such), bumps, potholes, and hard acceleration. I don't know if yours is the same problem, but mabye this can help.



Troy
Dodge Dakota
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12/15/2002
09:07:30

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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As for the noise in the front, try lubing the sway bar bushings and see if it goes away. In the rear, lower the tailgate and see if it goes away. If it does, lube or coat the pins in the bed that the tailgate latches to. I had these similiar squeaks and it was both of these areas. Hope that helps.



Troy
Dodge Dakota
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12/15/2002
09:08:29

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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By the way, I also had the problem with the throw-out bearing noise when in neutral with the clutch out. This is normal.



Hubbub
Dodge Dakota
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12/15/2002
11:14:16

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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Thanks for some of these suggestions, the motor mount could be the problem, or maybe even a trans mount. I usually would see excessive movement in the shifter upon accelerating though. I will take a look at that though.
Lubing the sway bar bushing though, there aren't any grease fittings for lubing. I am going to check alot of the bolts today to see if anything is loose.



STEVE
Dodge Dakota
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12/24/2002
18:23:41

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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DAKOTAS ARE NOTED FOR BALL JOINT PROBLEMS. THE UPPER BALL JOINT FROM THE FACTORY DOES NOT HAVE A GREASE FITTING ON IT, THUS EXPECT TO REPLACE IT WITH IN 20K MILES (DEPENDING ON HOW YOU DRIVE IT). I HAVE A 99 4X4 WITH A 5.2L IN IT AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS (UPPER AND LOWER) TWICE SO FAR. TRUCK HAS 53K MILES ON IT. NOT SAYING THAT IT IS A "BAD" TRUCK. BUT DODGE SHOULD DO THEIR HOMEWORK ON FRONT SUSPENSION. GIVEN THE ANGLE OF THE UPPER AND LOWER "A" ARMS AND THE RESISTANCE OF THE FACTORY SHOCK, THE DAMPNING EFFECT IS TOO MUCH. I HAVE CHOSEN TO INSTALL ELDEBROCK IAS SHOCKS. HOPEFULLY THIS MAY REDUCE THE "WEAR" ON THE BALL JOINTS.



Joe
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2002
15:23:36

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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I just had my 2000 dakota in for new tires. It has 37K on it and they informed me that the control arms needed to be replaced. 800 dollars worth of work. The technician noted that there was excessive movement in BOTH of the front end ball joints, and also informed me that he had seen similar problems in dakotas and durangos. The problem lies in the design of the front-end suspension. The control arm and the ball joints are one piece, meaning you have to purchase a whole NEW control arm to fix the problem. In a nutshell, the front-end on these cars has serious issues, although I have no complaints about anything else. It's a great truck.



Darrel
Dodge Dakota
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1/01/2003
00:22:00

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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My ball joint was replaced at 50K and made the same noises that you mentioned



hubbub
Dodge Dakota
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1/01/2003
12:01:13

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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Thanks for the replies everyone.
The noise is definately the ball joints,I am having them replaced. The noise has gotten much worse and there isn't any question to what it is anymore. The dealer agrees and is replacing them under my warranty.



brianl
GenIII
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1/07/2003
15:46:09

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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fyi...if you are ever replacing these, and you have to pay for them, MOOG sells both upper and lower greaseable balljoints for the DAK.

Brian

1998 4x4 Ext. Cab, 5-speed V6, Dynomax UltraFlo, V8 TB, Alpine 6-disc, 180 T-Stat, Prothane bushings, Bosch Platinum IV, homemade intake, Rancho RS9000, Tonneau, Herculiner Sprayed-In, 31" Wrangler MTR, MOOG Balljoints and Ties, Powerslots w/ Raybestos PG pads

eburgkid
Dodge Dakota
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1/09/2003
20:27:25

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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Like a few of you,I have had my ball joints replaced. But when I originally took it in, it was for the brakes. The trucks a 2000 dak. W/the 4.7 and 25,000m, so i thought the brakes should be good. But when i go to slow down nice and easy, the truck hopps like the rotors are warped. The dealer said the brakes were good and found the ball joint problem. But what would make it feel like that?



1nicedak2000
Dodge Dakota
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1/10/2003
00:59:04

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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just had my sway bar mounts replaced, fwd and aft. same noise, gone now



Tad_W
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2003
13:46:09

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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Does anyone know the Moog balljoint part numbers for upper and lower that will fit a 2000 dakota?

Thanks



Jlee
Dodge Dakota
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1/20/2003
13:41:14

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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Owner of '00 Dakota QC with manual transmission. Here are some things to look for as your truck gets older: tranny only takes synthetic blend fluid or it deteriorates the Teflon i. e. big mistake and upper & lower ball joints puked out at 42k, factory adjusted rear brakes incorrectly and it took a couple of brake jobs to figure that one out.
I have noticed (still) that the front end makes a clunk of a noise. I have not really figured it out other that it is a ball joint design boo-boo. As you posted, it is most noticable in turns.



Matt
Dodge Dakota
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1/28/2003
23:24:58

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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I have a 2000 Dakota 4.7L auto with 48,000 miles. The problem I am having is I am getting a noise in the front end. I thought it was the tires because they were worn unevenly but that is not the problem. What is happening is it sounds like road noise but very loud. If I drive straight or steer to the left it is loud but if I go to the right it goes away. I guess it is when it leans it takes pressure off something. Any ideas? Also the clicking sound/play in steering is the intermediate steering shaft, I've had it replaced three times now. Thanks.



Dan
Dodge Dakota
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7/24/2003
21:03:28

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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Someone suggested MOOG ball joints, does anyone have the internet link for them. would be much appreciated. I just replaced one side upper and lower joints $800. plus labour. Good thing it was under warranty, but the warranty expires end july 03.
Thanks



QQQQ
Dodge Dakota
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7/29/2003
00:37:41

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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http://www.federal-mogul.com
click on aftermarket, etc. for moog numbers



justinmccan
Dodge Dakota
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7/29/2003
17:18:52

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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MATT,

you may want to check your trans mount for the torsion bars, some of the noise may be coming from there. it may be binding or damaged.



Jeremy
Dodge Dakota
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7/30/2003
08:46:26

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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I heard that same thing from the front end of my 94 dakota slt. Could never find out where it was coming from though. I'll look into some new ball joints, but it pretty much just sits in storage now.



Leviticus
Dodge Dakota
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8/01/2003
02:23:14

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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I just checked into getting new balljoints on my Durango. Local Parts Plus store carries Moog lifetime balljoints $51 each for Upper and $62 each for lower balljoints. They havent changed the design any though, just stock replacements but with a liftime warranty. Not sure on part numbers.. but local auto parts store should be able to get them for ya. Anyone know how hard it is to replace these yourself? I sure would like to save the $600+ in labor.



fliboy61
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2003
10:37:24

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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I have had an unbeleiveable amount of trouble with my 00 dakota, i have been leaving a recall 800# on where to call. We need a multitude of people to call this # so they will do a recall on the ball joint issue. I have just set an appointment with my local dealer to fix my ball joints, it will cost me $600.00+ to repair. Chrsyler said they would reimburst repairs if a recall is issued, only if performed at an authorized facility. Many people are having to spend any where from 600.00 - almost 900.00 to get this issue resolved. Chrysler does know there is a problem but is waiting for the Government to push them into a recall. If there is enough people calling to complain about this issue, maybe we can make a difference.
Recall center # is: 800-853-1403 Lets hammer this problem, and get it resolved.



robert
Dodge Dakota
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8/23/2003
16:22:01

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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I have a 99 dakota 4x4 with 53000 mi. and just had to replace the ball joints. A friend of mine is a mech and it took him about 3.5 hours to change all four. Its not easy but can be done with a few of the right tools. Moog part numbers for a 99 are upper k7262 and lower k7267



William
Dodge Dakota
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8/24/2003
03:57:54

RE: Problems w/ Ball Joint ,Trans, & Susp.??
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Fliboy61 thanks for posting that 800# I will call asap!!!! I have a '97 Dak club cab V6.My truck has 54k mi and i bought it used this July.A couple weeks later..Squeak..The Ball Joint Problem started.I email Crysler and got the stock response....past my warranty period and blah blah blah.I asked them how they have avoided a class action suit about this.I just ordered the parts from Rockauto.com.I should have them in soon.Thanks again for the posting.



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