Ball Joints on Dakota

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Ball Joints on Dakota - 2/11/2004 9:36:26 AM    DGBACE Posts: 13 Joined: 2/10/2004 Status: offline I have a 01 Dakota QuadCab and I am getting some sounds from the front end, I am thinking that it may be the ball joints but not completely sure, and when I turn hard left it pops and it kinda embarrassing. Any hints on what to do??? It is going into the shop this week for some minor work so will probably get them to check that out too DGBACE Post #: 1

RE: Ball Joints on Dakota - 2/11/2004 8:04:12 PM    TravR/T   Posts: 20 Joined: 2/11/2004 Status: offline I had the same problem with my 99 dakota... a loud pop when making a slow turn. It has been perfect since I replaced the ball joints. ~T (in reply to DGBACE) Post #: 2

RE: Ball Joints on Dakota - 2/11/2004 8:11:45 PM    dakotadigger   Posts: 20 Joined: 12/14/2003 From: United States Status: offline HEY, I WANTED TO FIND OUT IF ANYBODY KNOWS IF THERE IS A SUSPENSION LIFT FOR THE 00, 4X4 QD CAB. I CAN'T FIND ONE. IF THERE IS NO LIFT, WHAT IS THE OPTION TO GET AT LEAST 35'S ON THE TRUCK, WITHOUT CUTTING THE WHEEL WELL. PLEASE HELP? (in reply to DGBACE) Post #: 3

RE: Ball Joints on Dakota - 2/11/2004 10:30:20 PM    lakefire   Posts: 15 Joined: 12/2/2003 From: United States Status: offline Ya, my truck doesn't even have 2000 miles on it and sometimes I'll hear a pop when I make a turn...it's only once a week that I hear it. THink it's the ball joints messing up and should I take it in? (in reply to dakotadigger) Post #: 4

RE: Ball Joints on Dakota - 2/12/2004 9:56:05 AM    DGBACE Posts: 13 Joined: 2/10/2004 Status: offline well i called the dodge dealer in my area and I asked if there was a recall on the ball joints and they said dodge is looking into it so what I am going to do is probably replace my ball joints and then get dodge to reimburse me my money......hopefully i can do that if they are recalled?? DGBACE (in reply to lakefire) Post #: 5

RE: Ball Joints on Dakota - 2/14/2004 10:35:31 PM    lakefire   Posts: 15 Joined: 12/2/2003 From: United States Status: offline i was always under the assumption that they would only pay for it if you went to the dealer. (in reply to DGBACE) Post #: 6

RE: Ball Joints on Dakota - 2/15/2004 11:45:53 AM    westdakota   Posts: 2 Joined: 2/14/2004 Status: offline This is the main reason I joined the forum, to see if the ball joints issues is a common problem and it seems to be one. I have a 2002 Dakota Sport Plus with 20 000 miles on it and had this problem since day one. It took me a while to convince the dealer (they could not find anything wrong with it at the beginning) and on my last oil change service I put the truck in reverse and when I applied the brakes the pop was so loud, four guys at the service department jumped up. They changed the ball joints on the left front wheel and last week also the right front hub. This is an improvement, but I still sense something loose on the right front, so they will most probably change the ball joints on the right side, too. Also I pointed out to the service tech that all the bushings in the front suspension were cracking and they will replace them under warranty since this is also a recurring problem. I have a 91 Dakota also, and its bushings are in a better shape! (in reply to DGBACE) Post #: 7

RE: Ball Joints on Dakota - 2/24/2004 5:17:14 PM    King4x4   Posts: 41 Joined: 2/24/2004 From: Minnesota Status: offline Ya i had 2 ball joints replace on my truck one on each side both upper control arms i have 37000 miles on my truck and love it. They were replaced at 35700 miles _____________________________ King4x4 2006 Dodge Dakota QC 4.7 H.O TRX_4 Flame Red(mine) 2003 Dodge Neon SXT Blaze Red (Auds) 2003 Polaris Sportsman 700 Twin 1999 Polaris XC 500 pics http://community.webshots.com/album/548042350xtvHKW (in reply to DGBACE) Post #: 8

RE: Ball Joints on Dakota - 3/1/2004 8:01:51 AM    lucchesicourt   Posts: 7 Joined: 2/26/2004 Status: offline Upper ball joints on the Dakotas and Durangos are a problem. What bothers me is, Dodge knows about the problem, but will not do anything to fix it. Even a simple task like designing a new ball joint and make it available for the consumers to buy would be nice. But, Dodge is JUST ignoring the problem. I myself like the Dakota, but I will not buy another Dodge product (I'll go back to my Acura- I only got 230,00+ miles on it and pretty much all original parts, including the clutch). My Dakota needed new ball joints at 42,000 miles, and other little things have gone wrong that I could have ignored if Dodge had addressed the ball joint issue. It seems Dodge would rather wait for something bad to happen or have the government require them to fix a problem, rather than take responsibility to make things better for the consumer. (in reply to King4x4) Post #: 9

RE: Ball Joints on Dakota - 3/1/2004 9:46:04 AM    lucchesicourt   Posts: 7 Joined: 2/26/2004 Status: offline Here is Dodges answer to the problem: "There's no grease fitting, no way to grease it, so it's metal on metal and the ball and socket wear out and then eventually it pops apart," says mechanic Mickey Hasseck. Reilly sent the part to Washington for analysis as part of the government's investigation. Cohron is footing the bill for his damages, too, after DaimlerChrysler stated it would only fix his truck if he signed this contract to keep quiet and not to sue. Sounds like a little like the mafia to me. For the complete story go to here: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/18/eveningnews/main589356.shtml (in reply to lucchesicourt) Post #: 10

RE: Ball Joints on Dakota - 3/2/2004 11:00:39 AM    moparturd   Posts: 10141 Joined: 1/27/2004 Status: offline I could have sworn I heard there is a recall on this now. (in reply to lucchesicourt) Post #: 11

RE: Ball Joints on Dakota - 3/3/2004 10:28:45 AM    lucchesicourt   Posts: 7 Joined: 2/26/2004 Status: offline Well, if there has been a recall, Dodge sure is not informing the truck and SUV owners. I bought mine new and have not received any such notice and I have not moved since buying it. I do not believe that Dodge has issued a recall and I don't expect them too, unless they are forced to by the NTSB. This would be much too expensive a recall, and I just can't see any large company owning up to its errors. Let's face it you really don't have to have an engineering degree to know that metal on metal will not last- you need lubrication. This is just plain common sense. For so called intelligent engineers and corporate execs to not know this is very unlikely. This is just a cheap way of getting the product to market. They usually put the blame someplace else. Let's face it, what large company (in the US) really has its employees and consumers in mind when they do things? The problem is if it's done rright the first time everyone is happy, company and consumer (that's how the Japanese market works- pride in the product by both employer and employee- loyalty also goes both ways in their market-- the US market is all about immediate profits and not long term results-- that's why US companies have so many layoffs and take short cuts to get a product to market). I have owned 3 Japanese vehicles with very little problems and they fixed all without a question- things like map light failure- a wire came loose, a recall on a seat belt because food could cause jamming and failure of the mechanism. That's about all I have had gone wrong with their products- and all gave over 150,000 miles of service and my Acura is still going strong. I believe Dodge (as all US companies) will do nothing until odered by the federal government. Safety only becomes an issue when it is a US order. They will never take the responsibility themselves for poor design of a product. The issue as far as I know is still being investigated by the NTSB and when they get their results, is about the only time Dodge will do anything about the problem. They feel they can keep any problem brought to court by an individual in the court system for years, and this is cheaper than issuing a recall. They also know, that the average individual does not have the finances needed to go against a large company by themselves for an issue that can be kept in the courts for years. Until someone is seriously injured or killed will be about the only time Dodge will be forced to address this issue (or the NTSB). Why? This is also the only type of case an attorney will take on consignment. Again, why? The answer is always the same $$$$$$$$$$ (in reply to moparturd) Post #: 12

RE: Ball Joints on Dakota - 3/5/2004 2:43:08 AM    b0bcatt34   Posts: 9 Joined: 2/7/2004 From: San Diego, CA Status: offline Thanks for the good gouge, everyone. Does this problem cause that squeak in the front end on cold mornings, like when you go over a speed bump or curb? If so, this is much bigger than just Dakotas and Durangos 'cause my buddy's got a Caravan and he complained of the same squeak that I have. Did anyone check out the news articles about this? The most important question is, can something be done about them outside of Dodge dealing with it? Are there aftermarket replacements that can be lubed? As much as I like my Dodge, I really hate the assholes that run the company... < Message edited by b0bcatt34 -- 3/5/2004 2:46:36 PM > _____________________________ Boredom sets into the boring mind. ====================== 04 Ford Focus ZWT 2.3L ZTEC 4-door Station Wagon (car seat's on order) (in reply to lucchesicourt) Post #: 13

RE: Ball Joints on Dakota - 3/8/2004 7:01:28 AM    lucchesicourt   Posts: 7 Joined: 2/26/2004 Status: offline Bobcatt34, It's really funny that you asked about after market products. I have heard that there is at least one available, but I called the Dodge people to inquire about having it installed on my Dakota. I wasn't asking if they reccommended the product, I was only asking the mechanics if it was compatible with the Dodge Dakota. There answer was really irritating to me-- he said he would not comment about the compatability of the after market product with the Dakota, but he could only recommend the Mopar products for use on the Dodge. In essence they were refusing to respond to my question about compatability of a product with my Dakota. They want to forcr you to buy from their own company regardless of the poor engineering. That is why I will go back to the Japanese products. Not only do they take care of problems with their vehicles, they also will help you get products that are compatible with your vehicle even if they are not the manufacturer's. Dodge or should I say Daimler/Chrysler, is not interested in customer satisfaction. I use to believe in buy American, but I got disgruntled by my GM product and bought 3 Japanese models since then and all 3 were great. I then went back to a US product, as I heard good things about the Dakota, but the US manufacturers seem to all follow the same suit. They want you to buy their products and their parts. Well, when their parts suck, why would you buy them again? I wouldn't, and since Dodge can't recommend a part that will fix the problem once and for all (their ball joints don't work and they know it), even another company's product, I see it as a faulty vehicle. Let's face it- if a part doesn't work, and there is no other part but the one that doesn't work for the vehicle, what good is the vehicle? US auto manufacturers can only thank themselves if eventually they go under, as they are losing their customers to foreign manufacturers, and they have no one to blame, but themselves. I will no longer buy an American made vehicle where parts don't last 40,000 miles. The Japanese products last 100,000s of miles. Which would you buy? (in reply to b0bcatt34) Post #: 14

RE: Ball Joints on Dakota - 3/10/2004 2:09:11 PM    JRod   Posts: 10 Joined: 3/10/2004 Status: offline I've had my ball joints replaced 2 times by Dodge under warrenty and I finally had MOOG joints installed about 2 months ago (which I put off for months) My first set went at about 20,000 Second set went at about 35,000 Third and fianl set I replaced at 65,000 Although I replaced both uppers and lowers I'm still getting a popping noise. This weekend I developed a nice squeak also so I've gotta get it in the garage this weekend. I suspect it's the struts otherwise my tie rod ends are shot. (in reply to lucchesicourt) Post #: 15

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