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amcculla
Dodge Dakota
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10/14/2003
16:18:49
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 Subject: Bad Ball Joints
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It sounds like bad ball joints are a common problem for Dakotas. My 98' Dakota has 57,000 miles on it. I just had to replace the lower front-end ball joint about 3000 miles ago. This fixed the problem till now. I have the same creaking/clunking sound starting again that accompanied the last bad joint. No doubt it will get progressively worse until I get either the same joint replaced or one of the others. Anyone heard about any recalls or the like from Dodge on this? This is becoming a real pain.
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hmmmmm
Dodge Dakota
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10/14/2003
19:23:26
| RE: Bad Ball Joints
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Recalls are initiated from the NHTSA and are only issued concerning safety matters. They are currently investigating Durango ball joint and their failure rates.
Automakers never have and never will issue voluntary recalls because they cost millions of dollars. They need a governmental bazooka placed against their foreheads.
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Bill Lubak
Dodge Dakota
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10/15/2003
17:55:08
|  RE: Bad Ball Joints
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I have a 98' Dakota that just turned 50,000 miles. I just bought it in to have the front brakes done and my mechanic said my front ball joints are ready to fall out! This truck is not a work truck, I only pick up an occasional sheet of plywood with it and it has never been off road. What are they waiting for on a recall, someone to loose their life??? Shame on you Dodge! I have always advocated for Dodge but this is rediculous! If they don't do a recall or reimburse the $$ it will cost, this will be the last Dodge/ Chrysler product I will ever own. We all need to stick together on this to see that a recall is done.
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amcculla
Dodge Dakota
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10/15/2003
18:12:11
| RE: Bad Ball Joints
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I would imagine that it probably will take at least one person getting killed or a whole lot of lawsuits to get Damler-Chrysler to move on this. As "Hmmm" stated, they're not just going to give away their money.
I don't use this truck for much more than commuting to work either. It's 2WD so it's never been off road. I don't drive it hard either. I do use it to haul wood, bags of concrete, etc. on occasion. But rarely do I ever really load it down and most of the extra weight is in the back anyway. Fact is the ball joints on these trucks are way under-designed and there's probably very little recourse available on our part.
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BillLubak
Dodge Dakota
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10/15/2003
19:53:22
|  RE: Bad Ball Joints
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I did call the Chrysler service line and at least made a record of my complaint. They told me the only recall on my truck was a rear brakeline. It couldn't hurt to call the number and register a complaint.It's free. I was told it's going to cost me $600 to fix the bottom ball joints and thats with my brother in laws discount because he works there. I would recommend everyone experiencing these problems give them a call. The number is : 1-800-992-1997 There has to be some kind of consumer safety agency we can register complaints to. If anyone knows of one, please share it with us!
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Sickof Dodge
Dodge Dakota
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10/17/2003
13:08:05
|  RE: Bad Ball Joints
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I have a 97 SLT Club Cab 4x2. I just had my two lower ball joints replaced ($400 CAD) with Moogs.
On a different issue... I've been having serious problems with clunking noises coming from the backend when making sharp turns from a stop (like at a traffic light). I thought replacing the ball joints might make some difference, but it didn't. Anyone have an idea of what this noise could be caused by?
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Julie
Dodge Dakota
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10/17/2003
16:09:16
|  RE: Bad Ball Joints
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I have a 99' Dakota 4x4 with 99000 miles on it and have had to replace the ball joints and tie rods twice. My mechanic feels that there is soemthing wrong with the front suspension that is causing this to recur. I may have a 4x4 but never use it except for city driving. I have also had to replace my transmission. Dodge told me that at 75000 miles I should expect to be replacing all of these aforementioned parts. I will NEVER buy a Dodge product again. It was the biggest waste of $22000 I have ever made.
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thomas a
Dodge Dakota
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11/08/2003
14:12:00
| RE: Bad Ball Joints
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my 97 dodge dakota had 64000 and i had replaced the ball joints 3 times. bye bye dodge
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ugotripped
Dodge Dakota
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11/09/2003
10:22:05
| RE: Bad Ball Joints
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thats right you got ripped off, $600 for lower balls is way too much I just had upper and lowers on mine from an independent garage that replaced just the joint and not the A-arms like chrysler wants to do and it came in at only $550 for all 4 joints. He drilled out the rivets and bolted in new TRW's with grease zerks for me and a front end alignment for that price, AND a lifetime warrenty on the parts, my life time as the owner that is, not theirs.
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joe
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2003
02:45:06
|  RE: Bad Ball Joints
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Sure everyone go buy another brand.....then bitch that you have to replace worn out parts on those too...I had a Toyota that went thru wheel bearings, needed front end work and the tranny had probs too. I also had a Honda that had engine problems....Go figure..
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Bill Lubak
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2003
06:26:13
| RE: Bad Ball Joints
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I realize that you can have problems with any vehicle. Ball joints are a safety issue that Dodge is well aware of. There were recalls already done on much of their line including Sebrings and prowler and Mitsubishis too. They havn't got to Durangos and Dakotas yet. Ever had a ball joint let go on you? I have and the front wheel just folded under the car! I just wan't Dodge to step up to the plate and correct their defects.
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DMONK
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2003
14:24:05
|  RE: Bad Ball Joints
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Guys,
I actually heard about this ball joint failure problem from a coworker who said he saw it in the local news. (Durango / Dakota). I own a 98 4x4 318 that see's occassional off road use as well as yanking a boat around in the summer. With over 110,000 miles on it the only major repair was a blown transaxle 3.92 ratio 2 months ago and break pads same time. I did replace the clutch because of the milage but it really had about 10k more life on it. Maybe I'm just lucky. Other than this it has served me well.
Thoughts??
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J.D. Leddon
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2003
21:56:48
| RE: Bad Ball Joints
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Well I just had my upper A-Frame replaced on the passager side about a month ago. Now the front end is creaking & popping again. Well I'm tired of taking my peice of junk Dakota to the shop so I'm just waiting for the front end to collaspe. Then I'm gonna suit Dodge for ever thing they got & get a new Chevy to boot. I will not ever buy another Dodge truck period. They are JUNK!!!
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BillLubak
Dodge Dakota
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11/12/2003
06:17:56
| RE: Bad Ball Joints
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DMONK, you got real lucky or something because everyone with a Dakota or Durango is telling the same story! And J.D, my next truck will be a Chevy too!
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not pleased
Dodge Dakota
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11/12/2003
20:41:59
| RE: Bad Ball Joints
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I just had my front right upper ball joint replaced. It cost me alot of money I would have rather used for other things.
I called Dodge and was told I was SOL. I'd complained about this problem for 3 years and was told by Dodge dealerships that my suspension was fine.
Now I'm upset and out alot of $$.
After locating this webpage I located these guys and placed my name on the class action suit.
http://www.ademilaw.com/cases/durango.php
I have also filed a complaint with NHTSA.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/
I would recommend everyone in my situation to do the same.
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NOTADODGE
Dodge Dakota
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11/17/2003
12:26:09
| RE: Bad Ball Joints
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37225 miles on my 2000 Dakota Quad 2wheel drive. Took it in for the odd-ball sized tires to be replaced tire shop calls, Sir you top ball joints are shot.They wouldn't recomend driving it across town they are so loose. 730 dollars latter its fixed Dodge dealer said to hold onto the receipt more than likliy a recall coming on this.
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JES
Dodge Dakota
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11/17/2003
13:35:13
| RE: Bad Ball Joints
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My dealer said that most people are misdiagnosing worn-out ball joints. My driver's side front wheel moves 1/4" at the top and bottom when jacked up. Dealer says the ball joints are fine. :o) Lovely - now my tires'll be shot in 5,000 miles from the wheel wobbling around and my wheel's gonna fall off in 10,000 miles. Thanks Dodge.
Eric - http://photos.yahoo.com/jes_96
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hey JES
Dodge Dakota
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11/17/2003
17:25:19
| RE: Bad Ball Joints
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the Dodge repair manual states that .062 or only 1/16th of an inch is the max play allowed that dealer is messing with you! go with moogs, or trw or car quest or ant greasable ball joint that fits, and have a competent mechanic do the work!
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JES
Dodge Dakota
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11/17/2003
20:49:53
| RE: Bad Ball Joints
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UM .. "hey JES" ... NO ... I paid for a warranty ... if I wanted to work on my daily driver and spend a fistful of money on aftermarket parts, I woulda bought a used vehicle. I have much better things to do with my time (like bitch and moan on this board and tinker with the woods basher truck -- which, incidentally, is more reliable than my DAK).
"that dealer is messing with you!" ... thanks -- glad to know what I spent my hard earned money on. Did you get that line from the DODGE customer service reps? You happen to know of a "competent mechanic" that can do some warranty work for me?
Thanks,
Eric
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mpearis
Dodge Dakota
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11/21/2003
13:06:52
| RE: Bad Ball Joints
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We just had an incident here in Kansas City last night where the LF tire and wheel seperated from a Durango and bounced into oncoming traffic and caused an accident. Luckily no one was hurt!
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JES
Dodge Dakota
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11/21/2003
16:45:47
| RE: Bad Ball Joints
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Happy to report that after requesting the dealer show me the actual test for the balljoint in question, calling the regional rep, calling Dodge customer service, and crying a wee bit, I have new balljoint in my truck. Dealer evidently felt bad for me and fessed up to their misdiagnosis, replaced balljoint in driver's side (upper) replaced joint in steering shaft that was 'going bad', and, somehow corrected the low idle prob I've been having for a year and a half ... AND gave me a loaner car. My hat's off to Kreb's Dodge on Rt. 8 in Gibsonia, PA. They done me wrong initially, but stepped up to the plate when it counted. Very nice. :o)
Eric -- http://photos.yahoo.com/jes_96
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