| From | Message |
madmac9143
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/01/2003
20:34:34
|
 Subject: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
Sorry everyone out there who actually enjoy the dakotas, but fools like this are going to cause all of us to posobly loose our trucks. The only thing that will come out of a law suit are more BMW's in lawers driveways and higher pricetags on all dodge vehicles.
Come on peaple get real and take your heads out of your rears.The days of just putting gas in and go are over. Peaple in a whole need to take responsability for there own stupidity and actualy "DO THE MAINTAINANCE ON YOUR TRUCKS". Stop trying to blame everyone else for the problems most of you cause yourself.
|
TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/01/2003
20:48:53
|  RE: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
"DO THE MAINTAINANCE ON YOUR TRUCKS".
mad mac,
There ARE things such as, the factory sealed ball joints, that have no grease fitting on them, to grease, or have greased, even if we wasted to!
What are you refering to?
|
3rdDakLastDak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/02/2003
00:03:38
| RE: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
I was thinking this myself on the 2002. NO way to grease it. So just what out of the "LOF" is the dealer lubing, then?
Other mechanics have verified it too, when I asked.
Now there's a grind going on in my front end. Actually, I HOPE it breaks. I hope they have to recall that too, as Chevy did some years ago on Grandpa's truck. I can't recall the year.
Respectfully, as for doing the maintenance, I am beginning to think it's a moot point. At least on mine. Others may disagree, and that's fine.
|
gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/02/2003
02:03:36
| RE: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
When confronted with a so-called permenantly sealed chassis piece, we always just drilled a pilot hole, then installed a grease fitting. Looked just like the non-sealed setup, and it works. Granted, this doesn't make up for poor-quality parts, but if self-greasing will help, it's actually pretty easy.
|
gen3dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/02/2003
05:12:02
| RE: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
Well I guess that's how they do it in Bangladesh but here in America we spend the extra nickel and put grease fittings on parts that require regular greasing such as ball joints. Or, stated another way, I didn't spend $25,000.00 for a truck so I could risk my life putting grease fittings on the ball joints. I mean, the suggestion of that is a so friggin retarded, no disrespect intended to you personally gen1dak.
Dodge has known about this since 97. My 97 4x4 needed new ball joints at 3600 miles. That is sooo friggin pathetic I'd have to invent new words just to describe it. Now SEVEN MODEL YEARS LATER we are still discussing the same problem.
I hope DC gets their azzes punched, bored, broached and drilled for this just like the old Chrysler did for the Bendix ABS fiasco, rear latch locks on the minivans, Neon head gaskets, bad paint, blah, blah, blah ad infinitum.
Enough is enough...where do I sign up?
|
3rdDakLastDak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/02/2003
11:46:21
|  RE: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
>>>"DO THE MAINTAINANCE ON YOUR TRUCKS"<<<
Respectfully, yes, there are those out there who do NOT take care of their vehicle - be it a Dodge, Ford, Chevy, etc. To these people, I say, you get what you deserve.
But as for the days of putting gas in and going, well, one would think that for $20k + and higher, you could drive off the lot the FIRST night with no problems. Yet the problems seem to be a factory option now.
"Which heartache package would you like sir? We have ball joints, clutches, floorboards, odd dingyyy noises, flashing lights, no lights, heat/no heat, smelly AC, loose rear ends, built-in rust, shabby brake rotors...oh my, so much to chose from!"
How can a new 2002 need more maintenance in ONE year then, than the 93 needed in 9+? You can't maintain something that is built to be un-maintainable.
As I said, yes, there are abusers out there. There are those who do not understand how to take care of a vehicle.
But there's a big difference between a teenage boy (no offense intended) and a 40 yo. man. There's a difference between the old guy who hauls groceries and kids around on the highway and the guy who races at the local track for fun or goes off-road every other night. (Nothing wrong with that, you just count on the mud buggy being the daily driver!)
I went back to Dodge a third time for quality. I feel that I didn't get it. Built-in heartache, yep, that's the ticket.
Trucks like these, and the dealers/upper managers who fight the customer, are the reason that companies lose business, sell less, and raise prices for those who have been lucky enough to come back because they got a good one.
It's sad.
|
Manuel
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/02/2003
17:59:40
| RE: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
Madmac, that is just an ignorant thing to say. You don't know the circumstances of the numerous problems with this truck. Maybe the reason we are so pissed at Dodge is BECAUSE we took the time to properly maintain our Trucks and they have STILL failed us. I hope Dodge pays dearly for their poor quality. I'm pretty sure my next truck will be a Titan. So far this has been the most problematic vehicle I've ever owned.
|
NeverDie
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/02/2003
19:44:06
| RE: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
i'm with madmac on this one. most people i see start up their truck and just go when it's 0 degrees outside. the little things will always matter to help your truck run longer. doin maintenence makes a big diff.
|
Dakowner
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/02/2003
22:41:37
| RE: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
Madmac and Neverdie, you are very quick to judge other people. You assume that because you haven't had the problems that most of us have had, it must be maintenance. I'd call it luck. I've babied this stupid truck and it has been crap. My truck always warms up before moving. Even if it didn't, not warming up the engine doesn't cause ball joints to go out. Use your head!
|
bigold98
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/03/2003
00:43:05
| RE: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
Hello all. I own a 97 Dakota Sport 4X4 5.2 motor I have 103,000 miles on it and 2 weeks ago I replaced the ball joints for the first time. Man I must have got off really lucky. I was pissed at this because of the ono greasable upper ball joints and non greasable front wheel bearings. After reading about how they go bad mostly before 50,000 miles I wonder how the hell I got mine to last as long as they did? I live in Michigan where the roads are nothing but pot holes. I can say after spending over 1200 bucks on wheel bearings, ball joints, and Koni shocks. The truck rides better than it did new. By the way the Moog replacement ball joints are greasable. I work for a company that makes the computers for the Datota and Rams. I go to the factory all the time and the last time I went there they still use those stupid non-greasable ball joints and both the Ram and Dakotas. I was talking to other people and Ford and Chevy use the same stupid non greasable ball joints too. I guess if it saves them a nickle a part they don't care that it cost us 100's later to fix something that should not go bad. All I can say is write a letter and complain about it. But do it professionaly.
|
BallJoint
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/03/2003
00:53:39
| RE: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
madmac and NeverDie are just ignorant know-it-all fcuk wads. Get a clue morons, you can't grease a ball joint without a grease fitting and just what the fcuk does letting your truck warm up have to do with ball joint failure? Talk about a stupid, half brained remark. Pull you heads out of your anuses.
bigold98,
If you just replaced your ball joints you haven't any real idea when they failed. Just because you did it at 103,000, when did they fail?
I did mine less that 1 month after picking up my brand new truck and it was the guy in the alignment shop who found the problem.
Dodge blew it again.
|
bigolds98
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/03/2003
09:56:46
| RE: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
I started hearing a popping sound around 90,000 miles. But it was not bad. The way I found out they were bad is when the front wheel bearings were going bad and when I was replacing those I checked the ball joints and the uppers were bad because you can't grease them. The rubber boots were cracked open and there was rust comming out like pepper out of a pepper mill. But to answer your question I think they were going bad at around the 90,000 mark. After read all the ball joint problems I still find it amazing they lasted that long. But then again I have always kept up the maintainance and up keep on my truck religously.
|
JoeK
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/03/2003
12:38:05
|  RE: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
I recently purchased a 2004 QC 4x4 5spd manual. I am really happy with the vechicle and want it to last. It is disconcerting to learn of the apparent apathy with which DC is treating its customers in this regard.
I purchased an extended wty w/ the vehicle, and the terms REQUIRE me to adhere to the maintenance schedule, which includes a task to "check the front suspension". This task description seemed vague to me so I read applicable sections of both the owners manual the service manual but found no real guidance. I even called into Pat Goss of MotorWeek fame with a question on it. Finally, I went to the service department of my local dealership for clarification and they told me that, amoung other things, this task requires measurement of the ride height, ball joint vertical movement and ball joint lateral movement. The measurement points and allowable movement are defined in the service manual. The ball joint measurements require a dial indicator and flexible mount (which are available through McMaster-Carr or other supply house). Most basic repair manuals give decent instructions for taking the measurements, however, the Dak vertical ball joint measurement is a little more complex; ie; after setting up the indicator you can't just pry-up from under the tire.
I think that all I can do is take the measurements, keep a log, and wait for them to fail.
Sorry to vent, but I think that DC is being unfair to customers by requiring these measurements every 3k or 6k miles (depending on whether you are on schedule B or schedule A). The measurements require special tools and specialized knowledge to perform.
I think that they are going to get creamed in court based on what I have been reading.
|
3rdDakLastDak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/04/2003
08:27:17
| RE: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
>creamed in court<
That would be my advice. If there's enough of them out there, and just on THIS board it seems, a class action suit can't be far away.
As far as voided warranties for not bringing the truck back in every 3k miles to have it rebuilt from the ground up - so they can HIDE the problems - I'm there right now. What does the dealer changing the oil, etc., have to do with ball joints, clutches, rear ends, etc.?
|
bigolds98
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/04/2003
12:54:19
| RE: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey I was just at the factory where the Dakotas and Rams are made. I went over to the assembled frames to look at the ball joints on both Ram 1500's and Dakotas. The Dakotas still ahve the garbage ball joints but the funny one is Chrysler seems that the non-greasable ball joints were such a hit on the Dakota and Durango that the ball joints on the new Ram are both non greasable uppers and lowers. Great plan their Dodge.
|
AmsoilSponsor
DakotaEnthusiast
11/04/2003
13:46:41
|  Amsoil = www.american-synthetic-oil.com
IP: Logged
Message:
For the record ... there are MANY threads regarding this subject in the "Dealer Recalls" Forum. Maybe you can get better insight if you visit and read some of those threads.
--------------------------------------------------
There was a report on CBS October 27, 2003 about ball joint failure shortly after truck reaches 30k miles (and maybe you can find it in the archives on their website) --- but how much did CBS "play it up"? Chrysler will not issue a recall and is a therefore the subject of a class action lawsuit.
Here is a different take (for a bit of humor).
If NBC had aired the special they would have worked some explosions into the story! Remember when they did this once for "effects"? Maybe CBS will hire the NBC Dateline pyrotechnic professionals to rig charges of C4 to the ball joints next time.
--------------------------------------------------
My concern --- "How" and "Why" does the failure occur? ... and why haven't they done something about it? Is the problem persistent only if you off-road (hard driving), or does it also happen if you only keep her between the ditches (on the highways)?
D/C will not do anything until they are forced to by the courts or a few hundred people die due to a failure. I'm not certain, but D/C's denial may be due to the fact the ball joints may be from an outside vendor, therefore making it difficult to recoup any costs involved with a recall. Maybe someone can enlighten us on this point.
Steven Roark , Amsoil Dealer , Proud Sponsor of www.DodgeDakotas.com
AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants, Filtration, and Truck Care Products
|
GEODAK
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/23/2004
14:27:34
| RE: class action lawsuit?
IP: Logged
Message:
mY GRANDFATHER WAS A cHRYSLER MECHANIC FOR OVER 30 YEARS. tHEY WENT TO GREASELESS BALL JOINTS BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE WOULD GREASE THEM TILL THE BOOTS POPPED. i HAVE A 2002 EXCAB WITH 41000 MILES ORIGINAL TIRES, 50% FRONT BREAKS LEFT AND NO BALL JOINT PROBS. oNLY PROB BROKE MY E BRAKE HANDLE AT 4BELOW ZERO AND THROW OUT BEARING MAKING NOISE.DAKS ARE GREAT TRUCKS FATHER HAS HAD 2 WITH OVER 200K FRIEND'S HAS V-8 5SP WITH 200K NOW HIS SON'S NEITHER HAD ANY PROBS BOTH WERE MAINTAINED IE OIL CHANGES TUNEUPS.
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
