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Gabriel Dias
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/04/2009
00:07:37
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 Subject: 04' Ball Joints
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Message:
I have a 04 Dakota 4W that needs upper and lower ball joints.I am going to attempt to do this myself.At first I was told that they couldn't be serviced and the whole control arm had to be replaced.I now know I can drill out the mounting holes on the uppers but I don't see a retaining ring on the lowers and they seem to have some type of cap on them. Can these be pressed out??
Any information would be helpful.
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ya ned tools
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/04/2009
01:29:50
| RE: 04' Ball Joints
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Message:
get a chilton manual
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Gabriel
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/04/2009
08:54:29
| RE: 04' Ball Joints
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Message:
I can't find a local store with Chiltons and I need to do this today.I've read enough on-line and spoke to enough people to try and get this done but everyond keeps telling me there should be a snap ring on the lower ball joint.I am sure there is no snap ring on mine.I don't want to try and press out something that is not ment to press out. This is the original part is it possible the factory part does not use a snap ring.
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here
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/04/2009
09:55:54
| RE: 04' Ball Joints
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Message:
Don't know how much help this will be
.................
These models utilize a lower control arm with an integral ball joint. If the ball joint is damaged or worn, the lower control arm must be replaced.
1. Before servicing the vehicle, please familiarize yourself with safety procedures.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
3. Remove the brake caliper and rotor.
4. Remove the outer tie rod retaining nut from the knuckle.
5. Separate the tie rod from the steering knuckle using special tool C-3894-A.
6. Remove the upper ball joint nut, then separate the upper ball joint from the knuckle using special tool 8677, or equivalent.
7. Remove the lower ball joint nut, then separate the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle using special tool 8677.
8. Remove the steering knuckle.
9. Move the halfshaft to the side and support the halfshaft out of the way (4WD) only.
10. Remove the snapring from the ball joint flange.
NOTE
Extreme pressure lubrication must be used on the threaded portions of the tool. This will increase the longevity of the tool and insure proper operation during the removal and installation process.
11. Press the ball joint (3) from the lower control arm (4) using special tools C-4212-F (Press) (1), 8445-3 (Driver) (2) and 9604 (Receiver) (5).
# Install the ball joint (3) into the control arm and press in using special tools C-4212-F (press) (1), 8441-4 (Receiver) (2) and 9654-1 (Driver) (4).
# Install the snapring around the ball joint flange.
# Remove the support for the halfshaft and install into position 4X4 only.
# Install the steering knuckle.
# Install the tie rod end into the steering knuckle, then install the retaining nut and tighten to 55 ft. lbs. (75 Nm).
# Install and tighten the halfshaft nut (if equipped) to 251 Nm (185 ft. lbs.).
# Install the brake caliper and rotor.
# Install the tire and wheel assembly.
# Check the vehicle ride height.
# Perform a wheel alignment.
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to add
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/04/2009
09:57:43
| RE: 04' Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
As for tool 8677
If you have an autozone close by
Check out their tool loaner program
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gabriel
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/04/2009
13:39:47
| RE: 04' Ball Joints
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Message:
Thanks, I have already read that somewhere but it didn't make sense to me. They say you can't replace the ball joint but then tell you the procedure on how to replace the ball joint?
Anyway I am working on this now it it was going ok until I got to removing the rotor.I know it is pretty basic but this is all new to me.I am a machinist of 17yrs and capible of doing this I just need the proper guide. If anyone could help me with this basics of removing the rotor it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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gabriel
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/04/2009
13:41:37
| RE: 04' Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
I ment the spindle not rotor.DAaah
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Gabriel
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/05/2009
00:31:52
| RE: 04' Ball Joints
IP: Logged
Message:
Well it took a while but I finished my project.
Upper and lower ball joints sides, sway bar bushings, shocks and brake pads. It took some time because this was all new to me but nothing was really that difficult just time consuming. The toughest part was removing the shaft from the spindle while the lower joint was still not completely out of the control arm. I was lucky with the 1 ¼
“nut, the impact gun broke it loose no sweat but I didn’t realize the drive shaft had enough in and out movement to allow me to push it through. I couldn’t figure out how to get the spindle off while the lower joint was still hung up on the arm and I didn’t know how to remove the shaft from the spindle
(Like I said its all new to me).
The uppers where original so I had to grind of the heads on the weld studs and drill them out. The lowers pressed out pretty easily they were also originals and they did not have a snap ring. The outside diameter of the ball joint case was precision ground smooth the replacement was knurled and it had a snap ring and was about 3/16” longer.
The shocks and brakes were cake but I need knew rotors. I thought I could turn down the old ones but when I got them off they looked to thin to me so I just used them as is but they are even worse than I thought.
The two sway bar bushing up against the frame where the wrong ones .Moogs size choice for dakato sway bar bushings is crazy. You need to know the diameter of your bar to choose the right ones but mine didn’t match any. There were about 5 different bar size to choose from. My bar measured 1.300”(35.56mm). For the frame mount bushings I had to choose between 32mm or 1.400”.I went with 1.400 and it was to big. For the bushing at the end of the bar I had to choose between 1.200” or 34.5mm I went with 34.5mm and they seemed to fit fine.
This economy has me doing things I thought I would never do. I hope it picks up cause I never want to do this again!
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KC7TAF
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/09/2010
14:00:40
| RE: 04' Ball Joints
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Message:
I just had to do the same on my '98 Dak 4wd.
Took it in for an allignment and found out they had to replace the ball joints, Left Hub, and rotors to the tune of $894... After price checking I have $282.95 in parts installed.
Replaced Upper and Lower ball Joints $134, L & R tie rod ends $53.98, both Rotors $61.98, and Front Brakes $32.99.. Still have to replace the hubs at $160 ea which I will do here soon after pulling them both sides look pretty dry on the bearings.. Never done this time of work it was an experience. Still need new tires also, but currently looking for a good used set to get me by for awhile.. Shucks / Orielly's loaner tool program for the ball joint press saved me a ton of headaches on the lower ball joints..
Does anyone know the Toque settings for the 3 mounting bolts on the hub? My chilton manual has the spindle nut setting but not the hub mounting bolts to the steering knuckle... Thanks
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