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flex
Dodge Dakota
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2/22/2006
19:42:56
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 Subject: RE: Squeeky front end.
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You can always check you ball joints by putting a jack under the lower control to support it and rocking the wheel in and out. There should be little to no play whatsoever. If there is more than about 1/8" of play then its time to replace them.
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ken s
Dodge Dakota
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2/23/2006
09:52:07
|  RE: Squeeky front end.
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Thanks flex. I'll try that.
I've had a few people say that it was the ball joints making the noise, so I'm pretty sure that it's them.
The rubber boot that is covering the ball joints are both cracked and just about gone, so I'm pretty sure they need to be replaced.
It's just the top joints that need to be replaced. One on each side. The bottoms look fine.
OK, what might be some reasons why they would go bad? Does anyone know?
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cuzindoug
GenIII
2/23/2006
10:20:23
| RE: Squeeky front end.
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Daks are notorious for their front end suspension problems, something about uneven weight distribution causing uneven wear and tear. MOOG makes ball joints that are supposed to alieviate this problem, I have them installed on my truck right now. If the boots are gone on the b-joints, then they need to be replaced, preferably within the next month or so. In the mean time, spray a mixture of WD-40 and white lithium grease on them, that will take care of the squeak, but it is just a band-aid. You might also want to replace the lowers as well because they are getting more strain on them now because of the uppers. If you are going to keep the truck and have the spare money, look into replacing the upper and lower control arm bushings with good ones (like energy suspension).
If it ain't broke, fix it til it is.
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reddington
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/23/2006
15:55:13
| RE: Squeeky front end.
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Okay, first off, thanks Ken for that detailed info!
Please forgive me for my questions... you guys know a lot more about trucks than I do.
The quote that I was given was for 'control arm bushings' not 'sway bar bushings'. I assume these are different things? From what I understand, the dealer wanted to replace the entire control arm assembly, whereas Firestone can just replace the bushings on the arms. Apparently you have to take the ball joints off to get to them??? Don't know, but the labor is expensive to change the control arm bushings.
Does this sound right? Is it still unreasonable for someone like me to pay $580 to get upper and lower control arm bushings replaced on both sides??
Thanks a bunch.
Also, Ken, call your local dealer and have them look up your ball joint warranty. We have the same year truck and I had some extended warranty on mine so I would assume that you have the same.
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flex
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/23/2006
16:51:11
| RE: Squeeky front end.
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cuzindoug is right about the ball joints. I installed Moog uppers and lowers about 40k miles ago and have been very happy with them. If the boots are shot on them it will only speed up the process.
reddington - Not sure on that price for control arm bushings that does seem a bit high but make sure it includes an alignment after the work is done. You may also want to look into getting some polyurethane ones.
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cuzindoug
GenIII
2/23/2006
17:43:39
| RE: Squeeky front end.
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reddington, I would jump on that $580 estimate in a heart beat!!!!! There is ALOT of work that goes into replacing the control arm bushings. It took me an ENTIRE 3 day weekend to replace the upper/lower control arm bushings and ball joints. Take the estimate and run!!!!
If it ain't broke, fix it til it is.
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Ken S
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/16/2006
12:57:35
|  RE: Squeeky front end.
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Hey reddington, I don't know if you solved your problem or not about your squeeky front end, but mine's stopped. It just kind of went away in a couple of weeks. i probably should replace the top ball joints, but I'm not going to worry about it right now, b/c there seems to be nothing wrong with it now. NO SQUEEK!!!
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