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daveo
Dodge Dakota
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12/10/2004
10:26:30
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 Subject: check out possible recall......
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A must read!!
www.recall article.com
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MattNC
Dodge Dakota
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12/10/2004
11:09:15
|  RE: check out possible recall......
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That is total BS. Only 2000-2003? What about Previous years. I have heard stories of the same problems before 2000 or is there something different. Dodge says it's not a problem? I would say that front wheels falling of is not a problem but a DISASTER! Well I guess at about $800 to replace the ball joint and 600,000, I guess that about 48 MILLION is enough for right now, not even taking into account the service work that could be done instead of the recall. OUCH! But why only 2000-2003 and not all? I know all would put the recall close to 1 million vehicles not 600,000. Someone getting paid under the table? What do you all think?
Matt
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gates
Dodge Dakota
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12/10/2004
12:13:16
| RE: check out possible recall......
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Agency seeks recall of 600,000 Dodge trucks
Suspension problem seen with Durango, Dakota pickups
The Associated Press
Updated: 9:03 a.m. ET Dec. 10, 2004
WASHINGTON - Federal safety regulators want 600,000 Dodge Durangos and Dakota trucks recalled because their wheels could fall off, but the auto maker doesn’t believe the defect is dangerous, a company spokesman said.
Federal safety regulators have asked DaimlerChrysler AG to recall Durango sport utility vehicles and Dakota pickups from the 2000 to 2003 model years, Chrysler spokesman Max Gates confirmed. He stressed the models haven’t been recalled.
The company is planning to respond to the government’s request early next week, he said Thursday.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made the recommendation, first reported by CBS News, after investigating reports of upper ball joint separation on dozens of vehicles. When the upper ball joint separates, the suspension can collapse and the wheel can fall off.
There are reports of several crashes but no injuries due to the issue in NHTSA’s investigation file.
Gates said Chrysler recognizes there is a problem with the upper ball joints, but “we do not think it rises to the level of a safety defect.”
Gates said a vehicle owner would hear noise coming from the vehicle well before the upper ball joint failed. Mechanics also will find out if an upper ball joint needs to be repaired during routine maintenance, Gates said.
Gates said if the upper ball joint fails, it is most likely to happen at low speeds and during turns.
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Ed
Dodge Dakota
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12/10/2004
13:24:14
| RE: check out possible recall......
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Well, a possible reason is the type of ball joint used. My 2000 dakota has sealed ball joints that can not be serviced. This means that you cannot grease the joints, and when they start to go bad you have no choice but to repace them. My old 1994 dakota had greasable joints that were not perminatley sealed. This meant that the joint could be serviced and you could at least re-pack it with grease every 3000 miles. I was looking to replace my joints on the new truck with ones that could be fitted with grease nipples, they had a 1 year backlog and wanted ALOT of money for them. Plus, they only could get the lower joints, the uppers still had to come from the factory. This has been a problem they have known about for quite some time, I am just glad that someone has finally forced their hand to do something about it. And yes, a wheel falling off my truck is a large problem, I don't care what they say!!!
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MattNC
Dodge Dakota
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12/10/2004
13:51:12
| RE: check out possible recall......
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I know about the grease fittings being on some older models and then they were done away with on some of the new model cars. I have a '98 and have had my joints checked and asked them to grease them, but they said that there were only 2 fittings. They were suprised by this. I didn't take it to a Dodge dealer or any dealer. Why did they do away with fittings? Another question. With this "recall" are they just going to replace the joints with the same ones and not make any changes to them. You can change the joints, but in a few thousand miles will be in the same situation. They (meaning Dodge) needs to fix the problem not sweep it under the carpet and the government needs to FORCE the issue.
Matt
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Ed
Dodge Dakota
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12/10/2004
15:15:01
| RE: check out possible recall......
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Good question, I guess they will have to use new ball joints, not use the old stye defective ones. The joints usually lasted 30 to 60 thousand miles, and since my truck currently has over 60k on it I am starting to wonder if that front end creaking isn't a ball joint that the dealer just won't admit to. Another aside, CBS says that they are only going to recall 4X4 models. I have a 2 wheel drive, don't we have the same setup, at least the same type of joint?
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MattNC
Dodge Dakota
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12/10/2004
19:56:19
| RE: check out possible recall......
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Dodge has now agreed with the recall and will recall 600,000 Durangos and Dakotas. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6694782/ Has anyone figured out why it's only these years and not all years, since the (body) design is the same?
Matt
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plowboy
Dodge Dakota
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12/11/2004
00:29:58
| RE: check out possible recall......
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Up until recently I worked at an independent tire suspension and brake place. Almost every 4x4 Dakota and Durango that came by with 30000 or more miles had about twice the factory specified play in the upper ball joints. Never saw a problem with the 2 wheel drives. I had a 2001 with 40000 on it and no problem, now have a 2004 2wd with no problems. The 4x4 uses a different suspension set up than the 2wd does and uses a different upper ball joint. If you want a serviceable ball joint check with Moog because that is who we got our replacements from and they have a grease fitting that you can install. Supposedly the grease in the sealed lasts long but in my humble opinion I beleive you cant make money by selling stuff that can be service and doesn't break. Had an old 87 dak with 200000 miles on it on factory ball joints, serviced every oil change and never had a problem.
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