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Sandy
Dodge Dakota
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9/26/2005
08:53:49
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 Subject: Ball joint???
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Hi, for the last 6 months I've noticed a major sqeak in the front end (pass. side)of my truck, '97, clubcab, 178,000kms. It didn't matter if it was a smooth or bumpy road, it even sqeaked when I got out (I only weigh 100lbs!!). I took it to 5 mechanics, and everyone said there's nothing wrong, they greased everything and sent me on my way. Anyways, the 6th mechanic said it was my lower right ball joint, it wouldn't accept grease, and I should have it and the stabilizer links changed asap...3 weeks and $500 later, I have the exact same sound on the drivers side, except this time it's ALOT louder, and the gas and brake pedals are slightly vibrating. What are the odds that this is a ball joint problem? Could they have caught it 3 weeks ago? Does the drivers side ball joint affect gas and brake pedals, steering/handling? Thanx for any help...I'm not mechanically inclined. :)
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Don
Dodge Dakota
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9/26/2005
13:42:33
|  RE: Ball joint???
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I have a problem w/ something of the same description, last service i had was a few months ago and the dealer told me it was my bushings, i had the ball joints replaced about a yr ago but that never solved this problem (i have had this problem for a few yrs... everyone kept saying there was nothing wrong, i was about to replace my A arms and everything upfront till this last service when someone finally said what it was) the sound that i get is something of a squaking noise when going over bumps, mainly speed bumps... i also get a nice vibration in the steering and a knocking sound and feeling in the steering at normal crusing speeds. i would if i were you go to a dealer and tell them exactly what u think, even if u are wrong... let them know whats up. im sick of mechanics thinking they know whats goin on when im the one who drives it daily and know something is not right. hope this helps some.
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skilter
Dodge Dakota
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9/26/2005
13:46:36
|  RE: Ball joint???
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i agree w/ don i have had the same issues w/ my bushings before. the odds that that is a ball joint problem are very high, im not very familiar with all the effects of the issues that they cause i just know my allignment and steering became much worse as the problem existed over time. i know i had mine replaced at Dodge' expense, i believe if u were to take your dakota to your dealer they might be able to replace it for free. there was a recall a yr or so ago on this problem, it has occured to alot of people.
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hum
Dodge Dakota
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9/26/2005
16:00:10
| RE: Ball joint???
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If you have factory ball joints they don't have grease fittings. so how were they greased?
it sounds like you have bad control arm bushings on top of what ever else is wrong.
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Eric Knutson
Dodge Dakota
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9/26/2005
17:39:55
|  RE: Ball joint???
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I have a 1997 Dakota 2wd that has only 43000 miles and all four ball joints have ripped boots. But there is no sign of grease inside the joints. Could it be they were never filled with grease at the factory?
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steveBDak
Dodge Dakota
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9/26/2005
19:54:30
| RE: Ball joint???
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I have a 97 DAK with 182K on it ahd so far I have had both lower and one upper ball joint replaced. The ball joints that used to built our Dakotas were junk. Secondly. the upper control arm bushings had to be replaced because they are to close to the exhaust manifold and they just fied into nothing. I replaced them with a set of energy suspension polyurithane ones and have ewll over 100K on them with no problems. I had moog ball joints put in with grease fittings. They have been holding up for 80k just fine with me putting in the grease.
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Nitto
Dodge Dakota
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9/26/2005
22:11:16
| RE: Ball joint???
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Sandy,
I not sure what you're problem is, and I find it strange that a mechanic couldn't figure it out either. However, your mention of the brake pedal and gas pedal shaking makes me wonder. I have a older Dakota and had a weird noise on speed bumps and slow, sharp turns. I brought it to a tire place to change my tires, and instead found that my hub assembly had bit the dust. They lifted my truck off the ground and manually gripped my tire and shook it. It looked like the thing could potentially pop off on a typical pot hole. Point being, mechanics don't all focus on the drive train and suspension and stick to the their guns with the other stuff. I suggest seeing what a specific auto care center has to say.. like a tire place. IE: goodyear, or whatevers in your area. :) Good luck, and hopefully your car problem aint that bad. It costed me $700 or so to fix both left and right assemblies, and i did it myself.
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schmidtmike
Dodge Dakota
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9/27/2005
20:44:00
| RE: Ball joint???
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eric, grease begins to dry out over time, even if a boot surrounds it completely. From age, wear and heat, the grease thins out and leaks through the seal, some evaporates, and some sticks to the surrounding metal around the boot. That's why a chassis lube w/greasing of grease fittings on tie rods, linkage, wherever there is a grease fitting should be greased.
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Sandy
Dodge Dakota
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9/28/2005
13:59:44
| RE: Ball joint???
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Message:
Well thanx for all your help guys. I took it in to Goodyear yesturday and they changed the lower left balljoint, checked that everything greasable was greased, and now everything squeaking, thumping and vibrating has stopped. So now I've changed both lower ball joints, stabilizer links, a water pump and 2 tires in a month and a half...luckily for me, things start to break, or do break, on payday! Here's hopin' she's good for awhile...thanx again for the advice! :)
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tony
Dodge Dakota
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9/28/2005
14:01:34
| RE: Ball joint???
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if you think it's the ball joint try to get some grease in to the boots with your finges and let it ride for 2 o 3 days then it should quit sqeaking for a few months , that what I do on main
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yeti
Dodge Dakota
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9/28/2005
16:08:15
| RE: Ball joint???
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good point, tony. i bought a special grease gun fitting about the same size as a needle syringe, and have been greasing all suspension parts without zerk fittings, for years. it works very well.
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toolfan
Dodge Dakota
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9/28/2005
19:07:53
| RE: Ball joint???
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Message:
if the ball joint doesn't have grease in it you will get the sound that you have. i replace my factor ball joints at 151000miles 2wd. the ones i used where from Duralast and the boot never sealed water got in there and push all the grease out. went down to the auto parts store and they have boots designed for ball joints. it fixs the problem after regreasing the ball joint.
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