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Phil
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
12:38:49

Subject: Dakotas in the news
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I understand CBS News is doing a piece on Dakota suspensions on this evenings news.(December 18th)



erikrs301
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
13:08:35

RE: Dakotas in the news
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what time EST is that because I have a meeting at 7:00 and wold like to record it.



Mark
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12/18/2003
13:56:28

RE: Dakotas in the news
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Yes that is correct. It is the evening news at 6:30pm EST. The topic is premature wear of ball joints in 1998-2002 dakotas. I worked a bit with the producer of the story. We will see how it turns out.

-Mark Hryckiewicz
1993 Sport RC SB 5.2L Auto
Mark.DodgeDakotas.com

irq3
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
14:00:02

RE: Dakotas in the news
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It is December 18 on the CBS "Evening" News with Dan Rather (check your local listings).

Here the link to their website:

http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/eveningnews/main3420.shtml

They have a video clip there today. Click on "See what's next on the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather" to see it.




Floatpilot
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
14:05:07

RE: Dakotas in the news
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I have been reading about the ball joints in different posts here lately..
Mark, I noticed that the story is about the 98-02 models, would this story apply to the '03 that I have? I would assume that then only stats would be only to '02, right?
You wouldn't know of a website that I could learn more about the Dakota suspension, so I can get a better idea what to look for?



Mark
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12/18/2003
14:08:50

RE: Dakotas in the news
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I'm sorry I meant '98-'03

-Mark Hryckiewicz
1993 Sport RC SB 5.2L Auto
Mark.DodgeDakotas.com

Floatpilot
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
15:10:56

RE: Dakotas in the news
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Thanks Mark for the update.

OK. I am really hoping that it isn't my ball joints, but I will describe it as best I can. I have an '03 with 7000km / 4350miles on it. When the weather here turned cold. I was getting a creaking noise anytime the suspension would move a lot. Little bumps would not do anything. Anyway, At this time, I maybe only had 5000km / 3100 miles on it. I talked to the service manager at the Dodge dealer I bought it from and he said that there is a rubber bushing somewhere that has some moisture in it and froze causing the rubber bushing itself to move instead of the pin inside. I guess by the look on my face I looked like I wasn't believing him. He said trust me.. he has seen it lots.. and to take it to a heated garage and leave it overnight to thaw, and try it next morning. He said he would be 99% certain it would be gone. well, I have no access to a heated garage, but it did warm up above freezing a couple days later, and I think the noise went away (this was about a month ago). I am going on a trip here right away, and every once and a while, the creaking comes back. I don't notice it unless I compress the suspension a good amount. Do you think this Service Manager may be correct on the frozen bushing? or is it Ball joints.. already. After reading all of the stuff on ball joints, I am getting that uncontrollable twitch in the eye just like the smiley face in my post...



AJ
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12/18/2003
18:33:36

RE: Dakotas in the news
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I hope this sparks a recall!



Mark
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12/18/2003
18:43:35

RE: Dakotas in the news
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Its coming up next. Put on CBS.

-Mark Hryckiewicz
1993 Sport RC SB 5.2L Auto
Mark.DodgeDakotas.com

IntenseDak39
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12/18/2003
18:54:40

RE: Dakotas in the news
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well it was interesting but not enough info...


seems as though we will have a recall if dodge is trying to have people sign statements to keep their mouths shut.



AJ
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12/18/2003
18:56:17

RE: Dakotas in the news
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Just watched the piece. "Daimler Chrysler declined an on camera interview, but says it is also doing it's own internal investigation" LOL. Hopefully the government can come through for us and get a recall!



Mark
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12/18/2003
18:59:36

RE: Dakotas in the news
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Check the link below the picture of the dakota... its to us here! THANKS BETTY!

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/18/eveningnews/main589356.shtml

-Mark Hryckiewicz
1993 Sport RC SB 5.2L Auto
Mark.DodgeDakotas.com

jeremiah2360
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
19:01:40

RE: Dakotas in the news
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Thanks Mark, it was a good piece, DC didn`t look good at all. We owe that guy who didn`t "play ball" a big thank you.

Floatpilot, my 03`s bushings do the same thing, they can sound horrible when dry and cold.

03 qc 4.7 auto 4x4 23k



homer.s.
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
19:03:03

RE: Dakotas in the news
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Well we all knew about this. Finally some national coverage, this is great maybe dodge will do something. I had my uppers replaced at 59,000 kms with moog heavy duty greasable ones after the factory ones took a poop! Im at 140,000 kms with no problems yet. Ive also been greasing the factory lowers with an injection needle. After seeng this i think Ill check them tommorow just to be sure they havn't taken a poop as well. Good work Mark!



Floatpilot
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
19:55:46

RE: Dakotas in the news
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Thanks jeremiah2360!
So, the Service Manager may not be talking out of his butt? LOL
Where are these bushings located that he was talking about?
I just watched the video on CBS.com about the problem. Hopefully Chryler does something. If my truck does come up with bad ball joints, I think that from what a lot of people say here, I am going to switch to MOOG ball joints.





RAYG
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12/18/2003
21:46:06

RE: Dakotas in the news
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TO Floatpilot!
Re.that creaking noise you heard when the weather turned cold. My 03 R/T started making those creaking noises you were mentioning at 3000km (2400 miles).When I pressed down on the rear bumper you would hear an "ORK","ORK" noise that sounded like it was coming from the rear suspension (like rubber rubbing on metal)It drove me NUTS until the dealer found out that both bolts holding the transmission were loose.



jeremiah2360
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12/18/2003
22:23:34

RE: Dakotas in the news
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Floatpilot, the rubber bushings are on the front sway bar where its bolted to the frame. The outside bushings don`t seem to be the noise makers(from what I`ve read here). Anyone correct me if I`m wrong on this.

Definitely weather related. When it`s real cold any movement, like just taking off from a stop, they make noise. Going over dips in the road it can sound like the front end is going to fall off. It got bad late last winter and dealer said bring it in and we`ll order new bushings. Before my appointment I drove in a rainstorm and the weather warmed up. Never did again until recently. The next dry cold spell I`ll bring it in, have to time it so they can "duplicate the problem".







Mark ducko
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
23:15:27

RE: Dakotas in the news
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I had a 98 dakota and had notice excessive tire wear on front end. I took it to dodge and had it aligned severeral times. They replied" that nothing serious was wrong with it". Then I took it to a tire dealer , and they checked out the front end and a peice of rubber fell out of the control arm. Took it back to dodge, they replaced all the control arm's. I still had problem'with the brakes, still had problems with the master cylinder and replaced it twice. I then was offered a deal to trade it in for 2003 and ended up getting 8 thousand for my old truck with 32,000 miles. Then recievd a new truck and now owe 17 thousand for a new truck. However, now I am aquiring the same problems as before. Out side tire wear and replaceing tire every 10 thousand miles. Any one with same experince please reply ASAP. Thankyou dissapointed customer.



Floatpilot
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
23:31:34

RE: Dakotas in the news
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To RAYG
I will check out rear suspension tommorrow morning by jumping on the rear Bumper. THe "ORK, ORK " noise is pretty much what it sounded like! Although I had visions of a seal clapping making the noise when I read your post..lol
I thought the noise was coming more from the front though.

To Jeremiah2360

Thanks again for the info. My truck would make noise too taking off from the stop now that I think about it. So, we are having the same issue. I am going to keep an eye on it and see what the truck does when the temp really hits the dumps. I was out of town when the temp hit minus 40F, thank god, but I am sure I will be around for it sometime in January.



GraphiteDak
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12/19/2003
01:10:35

RE: Dakotas in the news
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Thanks for the info Mark.

That's some un settling news I have to tell you. Most of the Dakota/Durango's shown were 4X4's!!!!!

This coming Sunday my family and some friends are all meeting in the Arizona Mountains to go off roading. Kind of makes me feel less safe about my 2003 Dakota!

So. Have these ball joints been known to just BREAK like shown on the video or does it take time from them running dry and rubbing metal to metal before breaking like that?

If so maybe I could use a needle and keep mine greased?



bman42
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
08:01:47

RE: Dakotas in the news
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seems to me DC took a double cost savings measure. No grease fittings, OK, it serves their aftermarket replacement interests and prolly saves them a few bucks. But in my opinion sounds like to save another buck they opted for a less reliable grade of metal for the components. The joints, naturally, are wearing but they apprear to go from wearing to failure rather quickly.

All we can do is be careful. I don't see any help coming from DC. Many thanks tho to all those who shared there incidents so our Moderator could help get the info out there.



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