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pbfut
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/06/2005
07:27:32
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 Subject: Lower ball joints
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Message:
Has anyone replaced the lower ball joints on a 02 4X4? I need to start soon but it looks like there isn't enough room at the cv joint to get to the ball joint. Anyone have pics/video?
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bumpster
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/07/2005
21:32:18
| RE: Lower ball joints
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Message:
..bump...
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pbfut
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/08/2005
05:59:41
| RE: Lower ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
I allready tried to bump those ball joints.....didn't work! Don't you know, Bumps never work!
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cuzindoug
GenIII
11/08/2005
08:20:59
| RE: Lower ball joints
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Message:
If they have never been replaced before, then you are going to have to practically take the entire lower control arm off. The rivets that hold the ball joints on need to be pressed out or beat out(what I did). If they have been replaced, then you still need to remove the inner/outer tie rods, cv joints, etc. in order to get to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it til it is.
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toolfan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/08/2005
09:58:45
| RE: Lower ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
beat them out! and don't replace them with duralast spend the extra $20 and get the Moogs.
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cuzindoug
GenIII
11/08/2005
10:04:57
| RE: Lower ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
Sorry, not inner tie rod, just outer tie rod ends and t-bar link.
If it ain't broke, fix it til it is.
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pbfut
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/08/2005
11:33:34
| RE: Lower ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
On a 2002 4X4 the lower ball joints are pressed in. There isn't enough room between the axle and the hub assembly to get to the ball joints. I guess I need to remove the calipers, rotors and hubs. If anyone has done this replacement, is this the right way to go? Just trying to keep from taking the whole friggin' truck apart. Thanks for the replies.
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daveshotdako
GenIII
11/08/2005
12:36:57
| RE: Lower ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
call your local dealership and check to see if your ball joints have been recalled. dodge extended the warranty on balljoints to 10 years/100k miles. you might get lucky and be able to have dodge do them for you for free. just my .02 cents.
GET IN, SIT DOWN, SHUTUP, AND HOLD ON
custom 48mm tb, tps @ .768, relocated IAT, 180 t-stat, autolite double platinum, taylor wires, flowmaster 40 delta flow single in/dual out, CAI
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/08/2005
12:42:04
| RE: Lower ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
if i remember right it was just the uppers that were recalled. i have the extended warranty paperwork somewhere for my '00 QC 4x2. i need to find that just in case.
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WardenJ
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/09/2005
11:09:06
| RE: Lower ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
You need to remove the wheel, caliper, rotor, hub, and steering knuckcle to do this job. When you remove the steering knuckle, you should be able to leave it conected to the tie rod and just disconnect it from the balljoints, then swing it out of the way. At this point you'll have the two control arms and the drive axle just sitting there. You can tie the drive axle up and out of the way enough to do the lower joints.
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pbfut
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/09/2005
12:28:23
| RE: Lower ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks, That's what I though but wasn't really sure. You know how us carpenters/wannabe mechanics are!
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WardenJ
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/09/2005
15:45:20
| RE: Lower ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
Yea I know how it is. I also left the caliper connected to the brake line and set it out of the way in such a fashion that it wasn't pulling on the line. Saves on bleeding the brakes that way. I took the opportunity to pull all of the control arms and have the bushings replaced, so I had the machine shop press the lower balljoints for me.
I dont know if you've had the calipers off before, but be careful when you put the pins back in. It is very easy to strip the threads in the steering knuckle.
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pbfut
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/10/2005
12:25:31
| RE: Lower ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks again, Yes, I've had the calipers off many times replaced the rotors 4 times (that's another story). Never stripped out the pins on mine but a buddy wanted me to look at his Dak brakes he had just done a pad replacement. His were stripped, good thing the steel on the steering knuckle is harder than the pins. Got him fixed up. I'll start this weekend, I'll let you know how I do.
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BigBlueQC
GenIII
11/10/2005
12:51:43
| RE: Lower ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
had mine replaced under the recall and I was over 100,000 miles. The dealer did it for me though, no cost to me. Bedford Chrysler in Bedford, PA.
2002 QC 4x4 Sport Plus, 4.7L, auto, Patriot Blue, Tire & Handling group,
Heavy Duty Service group, Leer cap w/out windows, Mopar Step bars and roof rack, Rhino liner in bed and on step bars, Pace Edwards Power Tailgate lock
3.55 rear, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, all possible fluids are AMSOIL
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jb
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
11/11/2005
17:38:24
| RE: Lower ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
pbfut i did mine last summer. It really wasnt too bad a job. I doubt dodge will do anyhing sine the recall only covered the uppers.
Wardenj pretty much summed up my experience. Yuo have to yank the whole steering knuckle then you can get it out. You will also need a ball joint press and some elbow grease. I had a heck of a time getting the old joints out. I actually had to heat the control arm a little to get them to pop out. Also i put the new joints in the deep freezer to make the install much easier. Also give the wheel bearings a check while you are in there. If they are bad its a great time to replace them because you already have it apart. One other thing is make sure you do tourque the axle nut to the correct torque when you reassemble, if you leave it too loose or too tight it can wreck the bearing. I think the torque spec is is 160ft/lb but im not positive, i dont have the number handy. I would check with a dealer or someone that has a manual to be sure.
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