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Larry Smith
Unregistered
4/18/2001
21:15:15
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 Subject: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
IP: Logged
Message:
Has anyone had to replace Hub Assemblies and or lower ball joints prior to 100,000 miles on 1997 Dakotas 4WD, 5.2L? Please advise!
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BMac
Gen III
4/23/2001
11:23:19
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
I just bought a 98 5.2 with 65,000 and the ball joints were toast, I have never seen them like that before and still mobile!
When you replace them they will be installed with bolts and much easier to replace in another 25,000. Sad but true, they aren't even as big as Volare ball joints.
'98 DAK EXT. CAB SPORT 5.2 AUTO W/ MSD SYSTEM, K&N
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MikeL
Dakota Enthusiast
4/27/2001
00:03:36
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
The lower ball joints were replaced at 84000kms. They were designed as a replacement item(so i's told),suck,it costed me~$800.00CDN.
97' 5.2,4x4,5spd,LSD,3.55.
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Kevin
Unregistered
4/30/2001
23:02:15
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
Hey, my ball joints were shot at 42,000 on my 1998 4x4 5.2. Gone. Also, one of the bolts that attaches the upper control arm to the frame was broken clean. So I got all new ball joints and bushings. Ouch.
Kevin
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David Good
Unregistered
5/03/2001
20:36:28
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
I went to Goodyear Auto @ 40K miles to get some new tires and an alignment. I was told the Lowers were shot and need replaced @ $85 a piece + Labor for ~ $380. Took it to a dealership instead to have it looked at. The dealership also said they need replaced badly and quoted me $634 for the same job. After calling around most shops will do it for about $400 give or take 10.
I asked the dealership about any recalls / problems. I was told "None. No known problems at all with the ball joints on your '97 Dakota 4x4, sir."
In any case, I'm not having any joy trying to straighten this out and it looks like I'm out $400 + tax + an alignment for Daimler-Chrysler's poor engineering and even poorer service. Fortunately, I don't HAVE to buy another Dodge.
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Kevin
Unregistered
5/04/2001
00:19:30
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
That sucks, my whole front end job set me back $700, finally paid off that bill.
Kevin
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UWGriz
Unregistered
5/04/2001
09:13:00
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
I have a '99 4x4 with the 318. I needed new lowers at 29K and new uppers at 38K. The dealer told me that they didn't know of any problems but the alignment shop I went to after installing my lift says he's never aligned a Dakota or Durango without replacing ball joints.
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Nak Dak
Unregistered
5/13/2001
22:55:17
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
The lower ball joints in my 98 4WD 5.2L Ext. cab are shot at 35,000 miles. They were greased regularly with synthetic grease BTW.
There is a TSB concerning the ball joints; 02-04-98 May 98.
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Nak Dak
Unregistered
5/13/2001
22:57:49
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
IP: Logged
Message:
The lower ball joints in my 98 4WD 5.2L Ext. cab are shot at 35,000 miles. They were greased regularly with synthetic grease BTW.
There is a TSB concerning the ball joints; 02-04-98 May 98.
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Old Phart NY
Dodge Dakota
5/29/2001
10:39:53
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
My '99 R/T goes in next week for upper and lower ball joints/a-arms. 50,000 mi. & they are shot!!!
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Shane
Dodge Dakota
6/01/2001
15:59:13
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
I have a 1998 5.2 V8 Dakota 63,000 miles. I was told today that the lower ball joints are shot. I was also told that the whole control arm must be replaced. Are the ball joints not replaceable by themselves? Any thoughts?
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Shane
Dodge Dakota
6/01/2001
16:00:27
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
I have a 1998 5.2 V8 Dakota 63,000 miles. I was told today that the lower ball joints are shot. I was also told that the whole control arm must be replaced. Are the ball joints not replaceable by themselves? Any thoughts?
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Nak Dak
Dodge Dakota
6/01/2001
18:01:03
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
IP: Logged
Message:
The Dodge dealer replaced both control arms including the lower balljoints at no cost to me. The bill to Chrysler was $654.78.
This truck has thrust angle wheel alignments every 6-8,000 miles in addition to the synthetic grease every 3,000 miles. So the balljoint failure certainly was not due to a lack of maintenence, neglect or abuse.
I also replaced all four shocks with high quality Koni shocks. This made a major improvement ! I highly recommend the Koni shocks !!!
The stock shocks are low quality to begin with and were 'very weak' after only 35,000 miles. I believe that they may have 'significantly contributed' to the weakening of the balljoints. The service manager agreed with my analysis.
I hope the problem is now cured ! I sure am glad I purchased a 6 year/100,000 mi. extended warranty ! Just in case.
If I have this problem again I'll look into aftermarket replacements.
The TSB concerning the balljoints only informs the mechanic of how to replace the lower balljoints using a special tool (from Chrysler) without having to replace the whole lower control arm.
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J Jenkins
Dodge Dakota
6/06/2001
15:56:36
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
Yea, here we go...Last year it was lower ball joints at 800.00. This year it's upper ball joints at 700.00 with 90,000 miles. One parts distributer said he thought there was a recall on the 97 4X4 dakota xtra cab but he didn't know the details...
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aggie97
Dodge Dakota
6/06/2001
20:07:00
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
I replaced my shocks at 11k miles. they were shot at the point of regular ride height but good at other points. I would guess that with worn out shocks you are getting 10x the suspension movement thereby wearing out the front end that much sooner. I put Rancho RSX's on my 4x4 and it rides very firm and controled. I think this might be the source of the problem as my father's 94 had bad ball joints at 60k miles. Started putting synthetic grease in them and new shocks and they have not gotten any worse and you can still align the truck.
As for the high repair costs you guys are mentioning, for that much money you can buy some damn nice tools, floor jack, grinder for the rivets, and jackstands.....and beer for when the job is done. The parts can't cost more than $30 each and luckily there are only 4.
Don't bash dodge in particular....all cars are junk unless they are maintained. This is coming from someone who used to own a shop and believe me, even BMW's have these problems. Granted maybe not as soon, but hey, you pay two to three times more for that car also. 88-97 chevy trucks had the same problems with the front suspension at 60k miles and the old ford front ends would bend so bad that you had to spend 1800 just to get a truck that was driveable. My ball joints are covered to 75k under warranty so hopefully I will get 150k out of them but I probably won't keep the truck that long.
Just my $0.02.
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4wDakota
Dodge Dakota
8/21/2001
10:44:21
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
I have a 98 CC 5.2 4x4 and am rapidly approaching 50,000 miles. Is there a simple way to check the ball joints to see if they're going bad. I think I'll change both upper and lowers if one of the sets is bad. Any idea of price of just the ball joints. Does Moog make a replacement? Has there ever been a TSB on the ball joints and the early problems, will the dealer replace them for free?
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Lesley
Dodge Dakota
9/02/2001
10:50:58
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
Shane: the dodge dealership won't sell you the ball joints alone, you have to buy the whole assembly. My uppers & lowers on my 97 were shot at 70,000 kms., dodge wanted close to $1200 FOR PARTS ALONE!(took them over a day to diagnose the problem too). I went to a really good alignment shop, it took them 5 minutes to tell me the problem, ordered after market parts WITH grease nipples (the originals don't) and with labour it was $770 Canadian.
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Kenny
Dodge Dakota
9/06/2001
12:12:46
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
Why not E-mail Chrysler Corp about the ball joints. I did about the rotors and brake drums. They said that they made changes to the brake system of the Dakotas. Why not see if ball joints was amoung those changes?
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rEID tARDO
Dodge Dakota
9/16/2001
11:11:15
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
IP: Logged
Message:
Hmmmmmmmm.... The tsb from dodge quotes 2.2 service hours to diagnose, remove, and replace both lower ball joins. Most of you said that you paid between 700 and 800 dollars. If you figure 50$ a piece for the ball joints thats an average of 650$ in labor. That breaks down to roughly 295$ an hour for labor. Sounds like the dealership is RIPPING YOU OFF. If I had this done I would be taking this information to Dodge and the dealership demanding some money back!!!
ps.. the TSB # is 980529
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Greg Smith
Dodge Dakota
11/29/2001
20:40:20
| RE: 1999 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
IP: Logged
Message:
My upper and lower ball joints were junk at 40000k and wheel bearings junk at 80000k this sucks and the only answer I can get my tires are no good meanwhile there new
Somebody please reply I'm at my wits end with dodge. Thanks Greg Smith
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Greg Smith
Dodge Dakota
12/01/2001
09:10:34
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
IP: Logged
Message:
I wish someone would give me some insight on my 1999 dogde dakota. I posted a message a few days ago and would just like a response.
Thanks Greg smith
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Franko
Dodge Dakota
12/03/2001
23:25:04
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
IP: Logged
Message:
Just had upper and lower ball joints replaced on my 1997 5.2 x-cab 4X4. 60K miles and $540. Mostly easy miles too. That's kind off weak . . .
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rejs1970
Dodge Dakota
12/04/2001
21:06:34
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
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Message:
Got a 97 V-8 RC. Have driven the thing for 126000 miles. Haven't replaced a thing. Must-a-got lucky!
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Dave
Dodge Dakota
1/07/2002
20:59:28
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
IP: Logged
Message:
Does anyone know of aftermarket ball joints for the 4x4 dakotas, who makes them and what the part #s are for them?
Thanks, Dave G.
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Lesley
GenIII
1/07/2002
21:08:36
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
IP: Logged
Message:
Moog makes good ball joints. Don't know about the part number, but you should be able to get them at any aftermarket parts place.
97 3.9 CC Sport. Black. Auto 3.55
Quick D Intake, JBA Stainless headers, Autolite 3923s, stainless Borla Turbo XL, V8 R/T TB,
Awaiting Installation: FMS fuel injectors
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Salena
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/03/2002
01:38:33
| RE: 1998 ball joints for Durango
IP: Logged
Message:
Is it possible to purchase replacement ball
joints without going to a dealership and
spending over $200.00 each? If so, would someone
please reply.
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Lesley
GenIII
2/03/2002
03:19:04
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
IP: Logged
Message:
Yes! Mine came from an after-market parts shop. They are all Moog.
97 3.9 CC Sport. Black. Auto 3.55
Quick D Intake, JBA Stainless headers, Autolite 3923s, stainless Borla Turbo XL, V8 R/T TB,
FMS fuel injectors
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Salena
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/03/2002
18:45:22
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
IP: Logged
Message:
Lesley,
Thank you for your reply. My husband and
I are looking into this.
Thanks, Salena
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Amy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/13/2002
16:24:55
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
IP: Logged
Message:
Bought a '97 Dakota from a Dealership, 51,000 miles, and bad ball joints. The kicker....they waited for my warranty to go into affect before they would replace.
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Amy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/13/2002
16:35:29
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
IP: Logged
Message:
Bought a '97 Dakota from a Dealership, 51,000 miles, and bad ball joints. The kicker....they waited for my warranty to go into affect before they would replace.
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Dave
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/15/2002
21:10:05
| RE: 1997 Ball Joints/Hub Assembly
IP: Logged
Message:
I just replaced upper and lower ball joints on my 1997 3.9L. I hunted them down at NAPA. They were around $70 each, much better than $300 the dealer wants. They are made by MOOG. They are very easy to install with bolts. If anybody has any questions about the install, just E-mail me and I would be happy to help. Geiselmandm@hotmail.com
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