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Mark
Forum Moderator
12/17/2003
19:19:35
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 Subject: RE: Upper Ball Joints - Separation Accidents
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Thanks for all your help. CBS Evening news contacted me earlier this month about doing story on the premature wear of ball joints which will hopefully get DC to do a recall. Some of you may have been contacted regarding this. Anyone in the New York area can watch it tomorrow at 6:30 with Dan Rather. Its channel 2 for me. Lets see how it goes.
-Mark Hryckiewicz
1993 Sport RC SB 5.2L Auto
Mark.DodgeDakotas.com
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Izzy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/18/2003
09:36:24
| RE: Upper Ball Joints - Separation Accidents
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I guess I have gotten lucky so far. I have 91k on my 2000 2wd Dakota and have not had to do anything with my stock front suspension yet. I'm still running my stock shocks up front and only on my 2nd set of tires. Replaced factory installed set at 45k with some 31x10.50x15's which are still running along great. No abnormal tire wear and I haven't had the front aligned since the 45k change.
I have had a loose metal noise up front when hitting bumps back at around 75k but thats been gone for while now. I climbed under and looked around back then but could not find anything loose.
Only repairs or mods done in 91k are:
Changed stock exhaust with Midas 1in/2out duals (7k)
Dealer replaced Front Rotors (12k)
Replaced stock tires (45k)
AC Evaporator Core (70k)
180 thermo (71k)
Autolite 3293 plugs (71k)
Moved IAT sensor (71k)
Replaced stock Battery (89k)
Replaced Rear Brake Sensor (91k, last month)
AC Compressor (91k, new one currently on back order).
75% of my driving is interstate driving with 30-40 miles each way. Other 25% is usually short trips here and there to store, other family's houses and so on. I am happy with my Dakota and am surprised I haven't had more problems after reading many of the psts here. So happy that we even purchased my wife a Durango a few months back.
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/18/2003
19:56:26
|  RE: Upper Ball Joints - Separation Accidents
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Mark,
My dad even called me this evening, after seeing the show, waanting to know if I was aware, etc...
OK, now what?
The real push now, is to design a better part, or maybe, modify the moogs, as many people do, to work. SURELY THEY WON'T JUST REPLACE THEM WITH THE SAME INFERIOR BALL JOINT!
Way to go Mark, thanks for sticking up for us all!
Todd Bouton,
01 Quad 2x4,......
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Craig Sturgeo
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/19/2003
21:06:32
|  RE: Upper Ball Joints - Separation Accidents
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I have a 98 Sport with a V8. 119000 miles and my ball joints are tight. I drive between 130 and 180 miles everyday and have had very few problems. I am going to check all the joints Saturday!! Will keet you pasted!
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bowhunter
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/20/2003
15:52:37
| RE: Upper Ball Joints - Separation Accidents
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Message:
98 4X4 with 93K, 3" Rancho suspension lift, 32" MT/R's,
had to do 4 ball joints, pitman arm, idler arm. Replaced
with Moog parts. Thinking of doing tie rods as well. ball
joints were FUBAR!!
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varnuke
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/21/2003
04:11:55
| RE: Upper Ball Joints - Separation Accidents
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My 2000 Dakota had bad ball joints from the factory. When I got it in March 2000, I noticed that the truck pulled to one side. Took it to the local wheel alignment shop and they said it would do no good to align the wheels because the ball joints were bad. Took it in to the local Dodge dealer and they replaced two of them. Took it back to independent wheel alignment shop to make sure it was done right.
Bigger problem with my Dakota is the front brakes. Had the discs turned and/or replaced six or seven times and new pads every 10-12K under warranty. If I did not have ABS, I probably would have had an accident by now. The discs warp so bad that they grab when applying the brakes and start to take the steering wheel in the direction of the pull, but the ABS kicks in and saves the day. If the ABS ever goes when they grab, I guess that is when I too will become a statistic.
I wonder how many wrecks have been caused by the bad brakes on the Dakotas without ABS. Had the same problem with the front discs on my Stratus too. Caravan and Durango I had never had this problem. All Dodge vehicles I had had bad wheel alignments off the dealer's lot. First thing I do when buying a Dodge is to go have the front wheels aligned after driving off the lot.
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Jay
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/21/2003
17:26:52
| RE: Upper Ball Joints - Separation Accidents
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I noticed problems with 02 Dak 2WD about 25k, tires wearing. rotated all the time but still problems. sometimes experienced noises on turns. heard about the TV report and now just investigating. Any suggestions on how to get covered under warranty once it has expired?
Thanks
J
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Paul
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/22/2003
10:34:18
|  RE: Upper Ball Joints - Separation Accidents
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Have heard a metal clanging noise at the left front wheel with the steering turned to the stop when backing or moving over uneven pavement. Also like varnuke, I have the problem of front brakes chattering or grabbing when applied. Can be described as a feeling like ABS gone wild. I have rear ABS only. Had the same problem with a 98 Jeep Cherokee and had the discs turned and then replaced twice to solve the problem.
Anyone with similar experiences with front brakes?
02 Dakota SLT 4X2 22K
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Jay
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/22/2003
15:30:45
| RE: Upper Ball Joints - Separation Accidents
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Paul,
I have experienced that turning issue as well. Very strange noise. I hear it every time I pull into my driveway.
Went into my local dealer today. No luck. Crysler is looking into the issue. He said keep all receipts just in case there is a recall. Probably a year until they hear something. This really blows. They know there is an issue. They know how to check for it yet they do not warn anyone about it when you purchase their vehicle. Jerks.
J
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Dakaty
GenIII
12/22/2003
16:35:39
| RE: Upper Ball Joints - Separation Accidents
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Message:
I took my 2001 QC to the Dealer right before the warranty expired. My front end was "popping" on left hand turns. I was told there was no problem with the front end and that the noise was likely the disc brake dust guard (???)
Well I'm now at 51,000 miles and the noise has been gradually getting worse. After hearing of this news report, I called the Dealer and was told that Chrysler has not issued any type of recall, but to bring it in and they will check it out.
I'll be willing to bet that (now that the warranty has expired) they will find lots of things wrong!!!!!
Hopefully my complaint is documented through the Dealer's records. I will look for my paperwork tonight.
Bill
14.63 @ 91.8
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Joe.C
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/22/2003
20:11:13
| RE: Upper Ball Joints - Separation Accidents
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Message:
Get on the O'reilly factor Mark. Then you could really get at DCX.
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3rdDakLastDak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/23/2003
08:11:38
| RE: Upper Ball Joints - Separation Accidents
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>>Bigger problem with my Dakota is the front brakes. Had the discs turned and/or replaced six or seven times and new pads every 10-12K under warranty...<<<
Hang on, how'd you get them to do brakes under warranty?! I was told by the dealer, and warranty arbitrations, that even if brakes failed at like 100 miles, they were NOT covered as they were a wearable part?! Then again, I'd say more, but I can't...not yet.
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mhenry
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/10/2004
14:38:17
| RE: Upper Ball Joints - Separation Accidents
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'02 QC 4x4 32K, I had the same problem with a "popping" sound (driver's side) with the steering turned to lock; dealer fixed by greasing wheel stops. Now I have a different popping sound (passenger's side!) over bumps and vibration when braking -- ball joint maybe?
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