| From | Message |
joel
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/24/2006
22:34:22
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 Subject: ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
the ball joints went bad on my '90 dakota, and when i actually got the old ones out, i put the new ones in and they just keep popping out of the a-arm, did i do something wrong or am i overlooking something that holds the ball joint in?
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ScojoDak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/24/2006
22:42:46
|  RE: ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
Decribe in greater detail just how they're "popping out."
Got a pic of after the pop out?
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Other Bill
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/25/2006
11:22:03
| RE: ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
If they were like the upper ones on my 95, they were screwed in. You can actually buy a socket that fits them!! You will also need a 1" drive to turn it. I was able to borrow the socket and a 4 FOOT(!) wratchet from my buddy who owns a garage. The threads are shallow, but they are there. If you pressed them vice screwed them, then you are "screwed" (joke). It is also possible that you cross threaded the new ones. This is not uncommon(see shallow threads above). So while the ball joints are still going in, there may be no holding properties (threads) left. If they are popping back out the direction they went in, you have two choices:
1. Put them back in and place about a half dozen GOOD tack-welds around the edge on each. This will hold them. In fact it is what a lot of garages will do if the arm becomes stripped, which like I said is not unheard of. They are also easy to grind off should the ball joints ever need replacing again.
2. Buy new control arms and ball joints and start over.
Verify this with a mechanic YOU trust.
I would go with #1.
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Joe_Dakota
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/25/2006
12:08:16
| RE: ball joints
IP: Logged
Message:
not that this helps you but I just wanted to say...it doesn't hurt to call your dealer. I had my truck in at a garage for an oil change/tire rotation and the other week and they told me my upper and lower ball joints were gone. I told them to leave it and just do what I asked. Then the next day I called the dealership to get a second opinion, they asked me for my VIN and low and behold there was a recall for '00 Dakotas for upper ball joints. I had to pay for the lowers but the uppers were free. aint that nice.
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