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Steve Y
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
21:23:29

Subject: Dakota ball joints
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I did not know until tonight the problem was so widespread. I own a 99 Dakota , 70,000 miles, just replaced upper and lower. The replacements were very expensive.



Justi
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
23:03:56

RE: Dakota ball joints
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I have a new Dakota and have not had a problem yet, but I asked the dealer about it yesterday when I was getting serviced. Now I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE but the technician I asked about it said that they are expecting a TSB to come down the line about the ball joints on the Dakotas/Dorangos very soon. He said that they obviously know about it and always take a close look at them, but he anticipates the TSB which will allow him to replace them soon. I'm not trying to start the traditional war on this topic, just stating what the tech (who for all I know doesn't know jack) told me..



BigBear
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2003
23:37:30

RE: Dakota ball joints
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Did mine at 76K, on my '97. Cost a bundle.



Mcgehee R
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
12:07:56

RE: Durango ball joints
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I couldn't beleive it when I seen it on the news this happened to me and my faimly.We were on a bridge it was a foggy nite outside . My durango went to shaking and pulled to the left when we finaly got to a stop and got out to look at what just happened thier was my tire laying off under the durango. This was a scary thing to happen to us my kids were crying and traffic could hardly see us until they were right thier nexed to us.I know God was with us all that nite .I got my durango fixed by a friend we had no money to take it to the dodge house it was out of warrenty.My friend let us pay him out .We are still driving this durango because we don't have the money to get something else .I just have to say a prayer every time we get in it that God will once again be with us .For anyone who is looking to buy look at somthing else. I would not want anyone to go through what we do every time we inter our car we are taking a risk .This is your faimly's life we are talking about. Rebecca Mcgehee



Really
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
12:52:02

RE: Dakota ball joints
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You work in realty and don't have any money?



RadioMan
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
13:16:18

RE: Dakota ball joints
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If you think Dodge and Durango are the only two
that have no grease fittings, think again. My
wifes 2001 Dodge Mini Van doesn't have grease
fittings either.

Now, take a look at Ford and GM. I'll bet you a
grease fitting they don't have any either!

IT'S ALL ABOUT MONEY! The big three could care
less about us, the pee-on! If they can save 10
cents per wheel, they will do it, FACT!

We can only hope a recall is going to happen very
soon! Thank God, no one has been killed.... yet!
Or are *they* hiding that to?





homework
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
14:24:44

RE: Dakota ball joints
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O.K. this might be easier. Tell me how many vehicles come from the factory with grease fittings. Don't blame it on the big three until you complete this assignment.



teamfast
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
17:30:26

RE: Dakota ball joints
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NO NO she works in reality, and doesn't have any money.



AJ
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
22:30:39

RE: Dakota ball joints
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I asked for Moog Ball Joints for X-mas. I don't want to have to worry about losing a tire on the road!



eddy
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2003
22:35:37

RE: Dakota ball joints
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OK Im a little confused. I checked out the NTHSA website and the info their indicates the investigation doesn't go any newer than the 02s, and that the uppers were re designed in 03. Im still not satisfied though and was interested in more info. Is it true that my 04 has different ball joints from what they used up to 2002? I know theyre probably still not the type that are designed to be greasable, but I was thinking of asking my Dealer at the first oil change if he could slip some grease up in there somehow and then I could just hope for the best, check it again before the warranty's out, and replace them with something better aftermarket when they go out.



homework
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
00:56:49

RE: Dakota ball joints
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I'm still waiting.



Kevin
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
01:51:14

RE: Dakota ball joints
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I am thinking of going with McQuay Norris ball joints on my 1998 Dakota. I found them at www.partsamerica.com and the part numbers are as follows: Uppers FA2132 and lowers FA2134.



KingR
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
08:42:19

RE: Dakota ball joints
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Grease fittings or not, The fact remains the Dakota and Durango number of reported ball joint problems far outnumber the other Manufacturers. These numbers for the Durango are off the CBS news website.
The Durango received 395 upper ball joint complaints, compared to the Ford Explorer, 12; the Chevy Blazer, 11; and the Grand Cherokee didn't get any.
I know there are many questions here but the Dodge numbers seems to be way out of whack compared to the others.
If the other Manufacturers are using ball joints with no grease fittings then why is only Dodge having such a high number of problems. The investigation is looking closely at the quality of the metal used by Dodge for these parts. They seem to be wearing at an unusually fast rate.




cool
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
11:07:02

RE: Dakota ball joints
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I had a '91 Explorer and had to get two sets of new ball joints on it in 100,000 miles.



KJ
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
11:37:52

RE: Dakota ball joints
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Hey now, is there a difference between Mcquay Norris and Moog ball joints, or are they just about the same as far as durability and quality?? I have been reading a lot of stuff and some people prefer Moog, others Mcquay. As for price, I have found that Mcquay is just a little bit more expensive than Moog, but price does not always mean better. I'd appreciate some honest feedback on this. Thanks!!



Geek
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2003
13:46:30

RE: Dakota ball joints
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Gee where do I start, 97 4 WH Dr.

Fire, 4 fuel pumps, seat back doesn't stay up, air leak inaircleaner box, front differental all before 40K.

All ball joints 60K and 120K greased regularly with synthetic grease.

Transmission, radiator, half-shafts otherwise normal maint. spark etc.

Had 7 Toyotas dealer was lousy Dodge was lousy, never get another



Rebecca Mcgeh
Dodge Dakota
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12/22/2003
14:40:04

RE: Dakota ball joints
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I never posted a message to be ugly .I just posted it so that people would be aware that this is a problem that doesn't need to be swep under the carpet.I don't realy see that it matters how much money I make ,but for that remark that I sale realestate yes I have just stared doing that.I still have a problem with my durango. I have two childern that are in my durango all the time. The ball joints have already broke and been fixed .This was a very scary thing for me and my kids to have to go through and to think that it could happen again is more scary . God Bless Rebecca



jb
Dodge Dakota
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12/22/2003
17:02:45

RE: Dakota ball joints
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I think the news is blowing this way out of whack. Just like they did on the explorer tires. The car maker cant be blamed for what owners do.
I would think that the ball joints are going to be making lots and lots of noise long before they go. The real problem is people just keep on driving, completly ignoring what could be a major problem. Im not defending Dodge here i think they need to make these joints better and put a grease fitting on them(big part of the problem in my eyes). But some of the blame has to fall on the owners too because when they start clanging they need to get them checked out instead of ignoring it.

I noticed the stats above on the upper balljoints. I would love to see the stats on the Lower balljoints for a chevy blazer. I knoefrom experence that they eat lowers for lunch. My last three 4x4 s10s needed a set every 25k on the dot. I never made it thru a year without having to replace a set. They wouldnt pass a mass state inspection. They wore fast and they had a grease fitting on them, and i greased every 3k.

My dakota has 50k on it now and the original balljoints are still fine mainly because i slip a needle greaser under the boot and grease them. I also inspect them on occasion to make sure i dont have any problems.




jeremiah2360
Dodge Dakota
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12/22/2003
17:41:42

RE: Dakota ball joints
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jb, I agree to a point about your opinion on owner responsibility. However, expecting the average truck owner to needle grease his ball joints so they will not fail early only emphasizes the need for a recall IMHO.

03 qc 4.7 auto 4x4 23k



jb
Dodge Dakota
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12/22/2003
19:07:35

RE: Dakota ball joints
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I wouldnt expect the average truck owner to do that either. But so many people( my sister is a prime example) just take the car or truck to jiffy lube and think thats all the maint it ever needs. Then when something breaks they wonder why and look for someone to blame. The bottom line is people need to take better care of thier vehicles. Getting an undercar inspection every once in a while might not be a bad thing for someone who dosent wrench on thier own car.

I agree that Dodge needs to reacll these things and get it taken care of once and for all. and i really hope they finally put a grease fitting on them.



wjco
Dodge Dakota
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12/23/2003
10:45:14

RE: Dakota ball joints
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Just got off the phone with my local dealer and had them check my vin # apparently not all dodges fit the problem. certain option packages might have different ball joints and depending where the truck was assembled. Call you dealer give them your vin and they should tell you if it has been recalled or not. Mine was not recalled but I am calling my extended warranty to see if it's covered.






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