| From | Message |
shatto
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/08/2006
16:14:00
|
 Subject: Ball Joint Upgrade
IP: Logged
Message:
So, I'm thinking to myself; "Self, why couldn't I get Ball Joints for say, the 3500, and install them on my Dakota?"
Who would I have to ask, an alignment guy?
Would it give me a wider stance?
Would they last longer because they are bigger?
|
N56629
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/08/2006
23:42:43
| RE: Ball Joint Upgrade
IP: Logged
Message:
Is this a joke? Do you know what ball joints are?
|
Mopar318
GenII
7/09/2006
00:40:47
| RE: Ball Joint Upgrade
IP: Logged
Message:
Ball joint from a 3500 ram will widen a dakota 3.567 inches.
Its whats under the hood that counts........
|
shatto
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/09/2006
01:11:44
| RE: Ball Joint Upgrade
IP: Logged
Message:
Okay, I'll tear up the fender wells. But would they last any longer?
|
Mopar318
GenII
7/09/2006
02:37:57
| RE: Ball Joint Upgrade
IP: Logged
Message:
I was joking about them widening the dakota. Ball joints have nothing to do with that. Ball joint allow movement between your upper and lower control arm and the spindle. There would be no point in trying to fit different ball joints. Stockers are just fine.
Its whats under the hood that counts........
|
More Balls
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/09/2006
12:20:05
| RE: Ball Joint Upgrade
IP: Logged
Message:
The ball joints from a Honda Accord work the best. Make sure you apply a liberal amount of Amsoil when installing. Your truck will ride smoother and get better gas mileage.
|
shatto
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/09/2006
18:37:21
| RE: Ball Joint Upgrade
IP: Logged
Message:
I would expect 3500 type ball joints to give a wider stance because of a longer mounting bracket, necessary for clearance of the larger joint itself.
If the "stockers" did work just fine, why do we have to keep replacing them?
|
N56629
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/09/2006
21:26:42
| RE: Ball Joint Upgrade
IP: Logged
Message:
shatto, you obviously don't know what a ball joint is or you wouldn't be asking these questions. It would seem that you are talking about the upper and lower control arms.
What you are asking is akin to asking if you can put some 426 hemi pistons into your 3.9 v6 because they are, after all, just pistons.
Do you own a repair manual?
|
Mopar318
GenII
7/09/2006
21:32:15
| RE: Ball Joint Upgrade
IP: Logged
Message:
How often do you grease your ball joints. You should everytime you change your oil. If you take is somewhere and they say they do it chances are they dont. A lot of those guys at the quick lube places dont know what ball joints or tierods even are. Thats why they work there. If your doing all of this and they are still failing you have something else wrong. Such as you were cheap and bought the cheapest ball joints available. Other things such as a bad wheel bearing, Bent rims, Off balance tires, Bad shocks, can also cause ball joints to prematurely wear.
Its whats under the hood that counts........
|
shatto
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
7/10/2006
11:40:36
| RE: Ball Joint Upgrade
IP: Logged
Message:
I am under the impression Ball Joints attach to Control Arms, thus allowing vertical movement of the suspension as well as steering.
Every 5,000 miles I service, and grease with Amsoil Racing Grease. Lots of black marks on the inner fender lining.
I'm not trying to duplicate my usual cuteness, I'm trying to strengthen the weak part of Dakota suspension. Understanding, of course, that my 98 has problems corrected in later models, but Mopar318 probibly does have, along with us older guys.
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
