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rick
Dodge Dakota
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12/21/2003
11:27:59
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 Subject: RE: BALL JOINTS
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I have an 01 Quad with 45,000 miles. It's never had a problem. Nothing has been done to it except fluid changes & plugs. It runs like a top. I guess sometimes you need a little luck, and I got it. It would be expected that there will be a few disgruntle owners out of thousands. If your not happy with what you have, than trade it in. It's the only recourse for a sub standard vehicle....
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BeerHat
Dodge Dakota
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12/21/2003
11:50:30
| RE: BALL JOINTS
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That is a rather callous statement considering the magnitude of the situation. I'm sorry, but you just can't count on 'luck' when your wife uses the vehicle to ferry your kids around...
But I do agree on the substandard vechile.
My moogs are on order!
Dan
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Rick
Dodge Dakota
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12/21/2003
12:01:40
| RE: BALL JOINTS
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Callous statement indeed. It's too bad you missed my point. All automakers have a deegree of quality control, but in the end nothing is perfect. We all have heard the saying " you can get killed crossing the street.
It's hard for me to believe that there isn't serios indications that a wheel is ready to collapse and fall off. If you let your family drive in a vehicle wouldn't you keep it maintained and safe.
How about the Ford Explorer rolling problems. They seem to be selling better than ever. So where is the head ogf the American public. It runs from one headline to the other.
I am not saying that Dodge has a problem, but nobody has gotten killed, or sj=hould anyone get killed. If you can't hear that popping, or feel a shimmy, or pulling, and don't get it fixed the consequences are from your own ignorance...
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billybob
Dodge Dakota
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12/21/2003
12:17:57
| RE: BALL JOINTS
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I work as a mechanic at a ford dealer, own a 2000 dakota with 31,280 miles. Just went out in the garage to check my uppers after reading all this and guess what? Right upper ball joint is loose. No clunking, shake, wander or any other symtom when driving, so I would suggest to anyone who braggs about their truck being perfect at xx,xxx miles, get your front end checked!!!!
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Louis
Dodge Dakota
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12/22/2003
04:56:15
| RE: BALL JOINTS
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What's the proper technique for checking these ball joints myself?
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Kevin
Dodge Dakota
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12/23/2003
00:36:55
|  RE: BALL JOINTS
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Yeah, what is a quick and dirty way to check the ball joints for excessive play?
I did a visual inspection on my uppers and noticed that there was quite a bit of grease around the control arm near the ball joint. It looks like the little buggers are leaking out what little lubrication they have...
I'm getting this sinking feeling...
This really sucks. I love this truck and barely bought it about 8 months ago. Thanks a lot Dodge...pretty truck, but it seems to be more show than go.
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bman42
Dodge Dakota
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12/23/2003
08:24:14
|  RE: BALL JOINTS
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if you hear clunks and thunks when you hit bumps, especially while turning, bad news.
jack up the front end, and grab a hold of the tire. shake it left/right and up/down. if you can feel play, bad news.
that's about as down and dirty a test as you can get.
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Patrick
Dodge Dakota
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12/23/2003
23:33:17
|  RE: BALL JOINTS
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I bought my '00 Quad Cab brand new in Feb of 2000. I had to replace the original Goodyear tires at 16k because of extreme wear on the front. I bought 60k mile tires and they will need replacing in a couple of months. The truck now has 34k on it. I noticed the other day that it lunges when making a slow hard turn to the left. (related??) I have not heard any popping, only some squeaking from the front right spring (I think)that sounds like a 20 year old vehicle when hitting a dip in the road or pulling out of the driveway. I took it to the Dodge dealership at 16k for this reason, and they supposedly "tightened" something that fixed it. About 6 months later the sound was back and has been there ever since.
I'll be jacking up the front end to check ball joints tomorrow...
thanks - mechanically challenged dodge owner.
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Greg Thomas
Dodge Dakota
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12/24/2003
01:02:56
| RE: BALL JOINTS
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Hmmm, this seems to be a common occurence. Anyone else interested in joining me in submitting a complaint to the National Highway traffic and safety administration (I already have)? Just type their name in your search engine and it should pull up their website quite easily. Please, don't just sit there. Without our complaints/reports Daimler-Chrysler will continue to get away with their shabby workmanship. Please, help protect your fellow Americans.
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Kevin
Dodge Dakota
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12/24/2003
12:17:22
|  RE: BALL JOINTS
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I'll be jacking my truck up and checking the ball joints this weekend. I'm still looking for a place to buy the aftermarket Moog upper and lower ball joints for the 2001 Dakota 4x4. That rockauto.com site doesn't carry the ball joints for the post 2000 models. I'm calling up every autoparts store in town today to see if anyone can get me the ball joints locally.
If anyone knows where to get Moog ball joints for the post 2000 model 4x4's, please share the wealth.
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eddy
Dodge Dakota
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12/24/2003
12:46:26
| RE: BALL JOINTS
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OK Ive checked all over and haven't been able to find any information about this issue so I thought I'd try here. I checked the NHTSA website and it would appear they're not looking at anything later than the 02 model year from the Dakota for the ball joint issue, and it mentions there were changes in the joint design on 03s. I just got an 04 4x4 Quad cab, so what Im looking for now is more info on what those changes were and whether they positively affect durability, or should I still start shopping for Moogs now so Ill have them ready when I hit that magic 30-40K mark.
My wishful thinking is maybe Dodge recognized a recall and a big bill for them is inevitable and they wanted to minimize the number of model years they'd have to deal with by trying to get it right on the 03s and 04s. But I know my luck never works out that way so thats why Im asking. Anybody with useful info please let me know.
3100 miles on my Quad 4.7 5 speed auto so far, and not one single creak, squeak or rattle. Only thing that irks me is the paint seems to be about as thick, durable, and scratch reistant as your sheet of loose leaf paper.
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Todd
Dodge Dakota
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12/24/2003
15:40:47
| RE: BALL JOINTS
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The NHTSA investigation of Dodge Durango ball joint failure has been upgraded to include Dodge Dakota ball joints.
It appears as a recall maybe imposed by the government.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/problems/
Check NHTSA Action Number : EA03023
Todd
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Greg Thomas
Dodge Dakota
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12/24/2003
19:16:19
| RE: BALL JOINTS
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I bought my Moog replacements for my 98 Dakota at O'Reillys. But, I called all around and got the best price on ball joints ($40 each at autozone) and they matched it. Good luck in finding what you need.
Todd, if the NHTSA mandates a recall will those of us who have already had the joints replaced be reimbursed? Not sure how all of that works. Thanks
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ricardcapecod
Dodge Dakota
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12/24/2003
19:27:42
| RE: BALL JOINTS
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Yes, i had to replace both sides upper and lower C arms and ball joints at 14K. Replaced every thing on the right side again at 60K, plus left side outter tyerod, Detail: I had to go to another dealer to have the correct diagnosis (that i already knew just by moving the wheel side to side and in and out at top and bottom). On january 5th will drop my truck to fix a "extensive differential work". Also will check again left front suspension, cause in the last 2 months, the dealer checked it twice, but, unless it is falling apart,they won`t be able to "duplicate" the problem. It feels just like the other times when replaced. My truck has 75k miles and from now on, the extended warranty will be expired and so will be the OEM "ball junks" replacement. seems to me that i`ll be buying MOOG within another year or so. Shame on you Dodge. 2000 cc 2wd 4.7 5sp 3.92 LSD rear, K&N FIPK, Fastman 68mm TB, Gibson headers and 3 inches single from cat back, jet chip 2nd stage, 180* Tstat (will change back to original during winter, due to check engine lite code 1281, wich is, "Engine too cold too long), no clutch fan, and besides the differential change i will install a HO intake manif and cams.
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Paul Attwood
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2003
19:08:43
|  RE: BALL JOINTS
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With 62000 on my 00 4wd xcab both upper joints are trashed,I have had alot of new trucks,And this truck is miles ahead of any KNOCKING CHEVY,OR UNDERPOWERED FORD out there.YES the dealers should help!!!! but new joints could be better built with zerks.This sealed junk is just a way for chrysler corp. to support its dealers after the warrantee is over. Just think of it this way,600-800 DOLLARS per unit sold right back in the dealers pocket.Dont get me wrong,I LOVE this this truck,I just think dodge should FIX IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Mike Crews
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2003
23:45:55
| RE: BALL JOINTS
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Can anyone tell me if this ball joint problem applies to V6 Dakotas or just V8s?
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Pongo
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2003
08:15:53
| RE: BALL JOINTS
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Message:
I just got my truck about a week and a half ago from a local dealer (1999 R/T), I asked a few times before purchase (the ball joints are ok on this one right)? they said they were good. I don't know squat about front ends but when I turn the wheels as far as they can go and back up it feels like Im running over things that are not there, does it in drive too but not quite as bad.
I'm thinking it may be the ball joints and if it is they should not have let it pass inspection before they sold it to me.
What do you guys think?
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chris
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2003
15:07:25
| RE: BALL JOINTS
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Message:
It appears this is the place to go to file a complaint: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm
I'm having problems with the upper ball joints on my '00 R/T and was thinking about replacing them but might wait for a recall, if there well be one. Just wondering what the best steps should be...
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Mopar 454
Dodge Dakota
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1/11/2004
06:41:44
| RE: BALL JOINTS
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I just got my '02 Dakota back from the local dealer.
They replaced BOTH the Upper and lower ball joints on my truck.
The truck has 19,600 miles on it.
When I took it in, I explained that when I make slow left turns, the truck will make a 'popping' sound, and that I want it checked out.
I told the 'Service Writer' that I drive this truck every day, that my children ride in it every day, and that I had seen some sort of 'article' on the local news about the front end coming apart on Durangos and Dakotas.
The 'Service Writer' said that, "No-one here has seen or heard anything about it, so I don't think we will find anything wrong. You don't have enough miles on your truck for the ball joints to be bad."
Guess what? The 'Service Writer' called me the next morning and told me, "You should go play the lottery tonight. You are very lucky. The upper ball joint was literally coming apart. We have ordered a ball joint pack to put into your truck."
I asked them if they were going to replace BOTH sides, and they informed me that, "The right side was still 'tight' and it didn't need it right now."
Everybody. . .
Be persistent. IF your vehicle is still under warranty, explain to the dealership that they won't lose any money and that your safety (and the safety of your family) is paramount.
Other than the ball joint issue, the only other problem I have had was the 'Fan Switch' shorted out and would only work at 'high speed' and off.
That was replaced at 11,200 miles.
Dodge has a great little truck here. Like all things, nothing is perfect, but, with a little 'tweaking' it comes close.
Keith
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J-Rod
Dodge Dakota
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1/12/2004
08:03:42
| RE: BALL JOINTS
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I just put my third set of ball joint on my 98 Dak. 2 sets were replaced under warrenty and they started going again at roghly 60,000. I replaced both uppers and lowers at 67,000 with the MOOG joints. The bummer is that my front end is still popping so I'm beginning to wonder if I've got problems with my tie-rod ends now.
Between that, my truck leaking anti-freeze and the tranny acting weird I'm really starting to bum out. :(
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