I have a 99 Dodge Dakota with 50k miles on it. At about 35k the dealership replaced the front ball joints upper and lower, and upper control arms. I dont know why exactly, they did it when I bought the truck. </P>


Now the driverside front wheel area squeals terribly when I turn the wheel when not moving. It also squeals when I bounce the car up and down by applying pressure on the bumper or when going over bumps. </P>


Goodyear thought the problem was the tie rod ends. They greased them to no avail. </P>


A dodge dealership guy said it sounded liike ball joints. </P>


My question is what COULD it be...and what is it likely. Is it serious? It sounds horrible.</P>


Thanks</P>

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/...ingnews/main58 0233.shtml</P>


</P>


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/...ingnews/main58 9356.shtml</P>

I just had mine replaced. My 99 dakota has 73,000 miles on it. Luckily, I have an extended warranty on it until 85,000 miles. Else it would have cost me $680. Had to have all 4 ball joints replaced, upper AND lower. This is a known problem with 97+ dakotas and durangos, but people aren't getting hurt from it, so Chrysler doesn't feel compelled to do anything. It's like that quote from Fight Club goes:</P>


"A new car built by my company leave somewhere traveling at 60 miles per hour. The rear differential locks up. The car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field (A) multiply it by the probable rate of failure (B) then multiply the result by the average out of court settlement (C). A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of the recall, we don't do one."</P>