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Dealer, TSB's and Recalls
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John H
Dodge Dakota
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1/05/2004
17:14:38

Subject: RE: Feds invesitgate Durango ball joints
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Although I'm a new owner, I realize that like any other vehicle there are going to be problems which will not be addressed until someone gets killed in an accident. My 95 caravan was recalled for rear door mount after several accidents where the rear seat was ejected out of the back door with the occupants still strapped to it....imagine that? Like the FAA handbook, the recall of a defective vehicle is also written in blood. John



CZB
Dodge Dakota
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1/05/2004
17:31:27

RE: Feds invesitgate Durango ball joints
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According to the investigation, the ball joint in question was made by TRW. They were replaced as supplier by New Castle Machining and Forge. It's pretty serious when people have tires falling off their trucks. The pics I've seen so far have been 4 wheel drive vehicles, don't know if it makes a difference.

I don't have any faith in "Permanently lubricated" sealed parts myself, no lube lasts forever and having parts that can't be lubed is just planned obsolescence. This is some dangerous stuff and owners need to be aware and keep an eye on these parts. At least if you know the problem exists, you can take some precautions.



.
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2004
12:43:04

RE: Feds invesitgate Durango ball joints
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jeremy
Dodge Dakota
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4/08/2004
19:20:09

RE: Feds invesitgate Durango ball joints
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from CZB - I don't have any faith in "Permanently lubricated" sealed parts myself, no lube lasts forever and having parts that can't be lubed is just planned obsolescence. This is some dangerous stuff and owners need to be aware and keep an eye on these parts. At least if you know the problem exists, you can take some precautions.
Your wrong buddy....lube will last 4ever...its the sh!t from the outside that gets into it and ruins it. The only reason you lube a u-joint or tie rod end is to purge out the old contaminated grease and put fresh stuff in. If they could keep the bad stuff out...then lube for life parts would be great.



johnny G.
Dodge Dakota
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9/29/2004
22:27:27

RE: Feds invesitgate Durango ball joints
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I guess i should tell you my problems regarding my 2002 Dodge Durango, i purchased this vehicle new, less than two weeks later the Transmission went, the dealer put in a new Tranny,i continued having premature brake failures, a month ago while travelling with my son to a baseball game the entire rear axle fell out" causing all kinds of damage to the rear end. back to the dealer,
today i went for my inspection and the mechanic refused to give me a sticker, he said that the lower and upper ball-joints were very loose and worn, this has been a continous problem with this vehicle,i have only 30,000 miles with highway driving, and this has been a total mess.
be careful folks take notice before a seroius accident takes place with your truck, i'm very lucky that when my rear end broke off i was arriving at my location in the ballpark or it could have been very serious...

concerned Durango owner



Dodge Dakota
Dodge Dakota
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10/01/2004
19:11:19

RE: Feds invesitgate Durango ball joints
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Well welcome to dodge driver's hell
Have a 2001 dodge dakota 67500 miles on ti. While traveling home right side tire fell OFF. got it stop after sliding on top of my new tire on gravel for about 60 yard's. Upper ball joint failed and i just had them check. failure can be quick. I was lucky I was able to steer aruond the drive way culvert. I was upset and first then got pissed when i got my witt's back and realized if i would of went in the ditch 2 of my kid's could of been pissed. Now they want 1300.00 to put the darn thing back together. Dodge is not recalling yet cause they probally have decided that paying off a couple of multimillion dollar wrongful death suit's would be cheaper than recalling all the durango and dakotas that would be affected.
So if you own a dakota or darango keep a close eye on the balljoint's and get them replaced at the first sign off were and keep your recipe so if they ever do recall you can get your money back



tony
Dodge Dakota
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10/18/2004
20:34:58

RE: Feds invesitgate Durango ball joints
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Well, after 86,000 miles on my '99 dak 4x4 318cid, I'm overhauling the front end. The upper ball joints finally started to make noise. So here's what I'm replacing:

2x MOOG K7242 problem solver upper b.j. : $104.90
2x MOOG K7267 problem solver lower b.j. : $127.78
2x CARDONE reman c.v. half shaft axles : $140.00
2x wheel hub assy. : $300.00 (est.)

Too tired to add that up, but with labor @ $90/hr., it is well worth fixing the beast in the driveway. BTW, if anyone lives here on the island (lawn guyland) I got my parts at Ronk Auto. (carquest).



Mike SD
Dodge Dakota
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12/14/2004
14:28:17

RE: Feds invesitgate Durango ball joints
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Just got back from my Dodge dealer.
His estimate for carefully maintained 99 Durango
~$3000 replace all four ball joints.
Their reason - @ 120K miles I should expect to replace ball joints.
Two cylinders have zero compression - burned valves?
Their reason for burned valves? Wrong manufacturer of plugs! Right type - wrong maker!
Gee, the 318 has been around for years but fails when it has autolite plugs???
___
I had left front wheel bearing fail at 75 MPH on interstate. Took out antilock braking system. Cost of repair $900. Dealer's reason for failure - bad ball joints.

Dealer's mechanic got in my face and yelled at me when I suggested failures were a design issue.

Dodge lost purchase of two vehicles as I was going to replace aging Dodge fleet. Dealer lost my repair business.

I have two Neons, a Jeep, a PT Cruser, and a POS Durango. Sorry Chrysler looks like my next vehicles are imports.



keith incitti
Dodge Dakota
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7/16/2006
11:54:44

RE: Feds invesitgate Durango ball joints
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i have a clicking noise in my right front tire on my 99 durango should i get it looked at right away and does anybody have an idea how much it costs to fix in canadian money. thanks for your help.



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