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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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5/08/2006
13:41:03

Subject: ball joint
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well, it looks like i'm gonna have to finally make that appointment. i was checking out the front end yesterday and low & behold, my driver side upper bj has some slack. an '00 QC Sport that just turned 60k. thanks to DC it will be warranty. i wonder if i could get them to do the passenger side while they're at it?




DakotaSport
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5/08/2006
14:39:38

RE: ball joint
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They will probably replace both while their at it.

00 Dakota Sport CC 4.7L 4x4

Big Ed
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5/08/2006
15:45:00

RE: ball joint
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I'm sure they will change them both, they did mine that way. Only took about an hour.



MStephens
Dodge Dakota
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5/08/2006
15:53:30

RE: ball joint
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Same here, they did both sides, upper and lower too.



Jason F
Dodge Dakota
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5/08/2006
16:35:21

RE: ball joint
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Yea, my dealer repalced both of mine as well



SamO
Dodge Dakota
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5/19/2006
10:16:44

RE: ball joint
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Just wanted to add my 2 cents after I spent a day replacing all four, uppers and lowers.
On my 99 2wd ext cab.

Thanks for all the advice I found on this board, a few things I might add to perhaps help others.

1 - on the uppers, unscrew the bracket holding the brake line and move it out of the way to make it easier to grind and drill.
2- use a small grinder, like a 4" to fit in. A 5" grinder might be too big and grind off some of the control arm
3- use a good grind wheel. I bought a new Norton. It was advertised to cut 3X as fast as other wheels, and it actually was faster than the stock makita wheels i had
4- Grind the heads off the rivets from the top on the upper joints. If you can reach the bottom heads on the lowers, it will be easier because you won't have to maneuver around the hub/rotor/brake line stuff. But you have to jack it up reall high, have a lift, or be skinny and comfortable on the floor.
5- after you grind off the heads of all the rivets, use a 5/16 cobalt or titanium bit. You'll go through a few bits to do all of the ball joints, but good sharp bits will make the job a lot easier. Don't use a 3/8 because you may drill through and oversize the hole in the control arm. a 5/16 seemed to be best IMHO.

I haven't tackled anything like this in the past, but it really wasn't that hard.

Thanks again to all here for the advice. I hope this helps someone.



jerry
Dodge Dakota
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5/19/2006
17:59:42

RE: ball joint
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hmmm, my 2001 Durango R/T has some 97,000 miles on it and hasn't, as far as I know, had the ball joints replaced. I hear a squeaking but figure it is the bushings. I'll have to check it for play. Also my 99' Dak R/T has about 42,000 miles. At what mileage do these things go out? If the dealer replaces them on warranty, don't they replace them with the same thing so taht they will go out again after the warranty is expired? If you provided the parts ( better after market ball joints ) would they install them under warranty?



SamO
Dodge Dakota
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5/21/2006
20:26:17

RE: ball joint
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1) I think the extended warranty only covers 2000-2003. the 99 won't be covered (mine wasn't)
2) They may replace the whole control arm, or use mopar parts (bad, you need the moogs with grease fittings.)



daddio
Dodge Dakota
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5/22/2006
12:58:06

RE: ball joint - update
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well, called the dealer last week to see if i needed an appointment(no i was told) and also to make sure they had the balljoints in stock so i wouldn't waste a trip. "Oh Yeah, we have those in stock", I think "GREAT". Well

Get to the dealer this morning, show them my little letter from DC extending my warranty. i tell them they are bad. just look at my tires. oh, we need to have a tech check it. "only 5 minutes" they say. an hour later i have to hunt down the serv. mgr." oh here are your keys, your truck's right outside and we'll call you when we get the joints in". i say "WTF, i called last week and spoke to you(i recognized her voice) and you said you had the joints!"

needless to say, i am waiting for a phone call. i called the wife and told her that if i get in a wreck and die on the way home today that i want to see our last name go up on that dealership's sign when she's done with them.

Thanks for letting me vent.



cuzindoug
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5/22/2006
18:07:03

RE: ball joint
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"i want to see our last name go up on that dealership's sign when she's done with them."

HAHAHA!

Vent away:)


If it doesn't fit, you're using the wrong hammer!

daddio
Dodge Dakota
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5/25/2006
09:25:55

RE: ball joint- update 2
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well, i've got bright new shiny silver ball joints. the truck drives like new again. let's see how long these last!!!



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