| From | Message |
STS
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/28/2005
13:51:59
|
 Subject: those lower balljoints.
IP: Logged
Message:
I took my truck to my local tire&service dealer just to get the front end lined up because my truck would always pull to the right. But as it turns out, my lower balljoints needed to be replaced. So that was going to coast me over $300 dollars. I brought by truck in the next day to get them installed, but then they had found out they since there sealed into the control arms. I would need a new set of control arms. So now its going to run almost 1,000 dollars for a set.
Should I just say F it and not even worry about a 11 year old truck with 211K miles that needs new balljoints in order to get a front end alinement?
|
Mattleg
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/28/2005
18:39:53
| RE: those lower balljoints.
IP: Logged
Message:
They dont need to replace the control arm. If Im not mistaken all 2WD Dakotas use big a$$ rivets to attach the balljoint. To replace them first remove the control arm. Then use a large grinder to remove the heads of the rivets. Then use a big hammer and punch to get them out. The auto parts store will have new ball joints. Visit the hardware store and purchase Grade 8 bolts and nuts (they will have 5 dash marks on the head if your unsure). Bolt the new joints on and reassmeble. Simply Huh!
|
ScojoDak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/28/2005
23:51:44
| RE: those lower balljoints.
IP: Logged
Message:
STS, run as fast as you can in the opposite direction of that shop. That shop is feeding you bull. Mattleg is correct about not having to replace the a-arm to fix. I've read where the ball joints can be replaced without removing the a-arms. Grinding off the old rivets still applies.
|
davec
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/29/2005
09:07:33
| RE: those lower balljoints.
IP: Logged
Message:
I would have the balljoints checked again also, and I would demand to see the measurement they come up with. I believe the factory tolerance is .060" which on a ball joint, feels like you could throw a cat through it. I've seen an unbelievable amount of trucks that supposedly "failed" inspection because the ball joints were loose. Most of them had .020"-.030" of movement.
Don't get me wrong, if they're bad replace them, but I would be double checking them. And stay away from that shop!
dave
|
eddy
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/29/2005
11:37:30
| BJs
IP: Logged
Message:
I don't know about your design if your truck is 11 yrs old. But I know on the newer Daks that had the balljoint issues, back when DC didn't acknowledge it and everybody was paying out of pocket, they were replaced along with the control arms. All of a sudden, as it became public and DC started picking up the tab more frequently and eventually offering a recall and extended warranties, miracle of miracles, they found a way to replace just ball joints without doing the whole control arm.
|
STS
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/30/2005
17:46:08
| RE: those lower balljoints.
IP: Logged
Message:
Well I don't have a 2x4. a 4x4 with a oil leak.
|
Joe.C
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/31/2005
17:47:42
| RE: those lower balljoints.
IP: Logged
Message:
So are 4x4 lowerballjoints differnt than a 2x4 l.b.J's?
|
bob70
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/01/2006
22:47:19
| RE: those lower balljoints.
IP: Logged
Message:
my 94 4x4 had the lowers pressed in. it was a pain, but I pressed mine out and then the new ones in with a cheap ball joint/U-joint press from Harbor Freight. But yeah, I didn't need to replace the whole arm. and mine didn't have rivets
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
