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knifemaker
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2005
19:50:06

Subject: Ball joint wear..?
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98'/cc/4x/5.2/85k: I was just going to go in for an alignment, and they told me my lower ball joints were dangerously worn. This truck has been fairly pampered it's whole life, and although never 4 wheeled, it does travel several mile of gravel road. Is this normal wear..to wear out that bad at 85k?



.boB
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2005
20:14:24

RE: Ball joint wear..?
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Yes, pretty common. Had mine replaced at about 70K.



toolfan
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2005
20:47:17

RE: Ball joint wear..?
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my 98 318 2wd lasted till 150000miles

don't replace with Duralast.



WardenJ
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2005
21:29:04

RE: Ball joint wear..?
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Sounds like it's time to go get yourself some Moog joints. Might as well replace all 4 while you're at it since it's so common for the stock joints to fail. As far as I know dodge will replace the entire control arm assembly so you end up with the same, non greasable crap, so go for the aftermarket ones.



knifemaker
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2005
11:07:12

RE: Ball joint wear..?
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Yes, it does seem that Dodge' ball joints are junk, as I not long ago had to put a full set on my full size too. Have no real complaints otherwise, but these ball joints are keepin me a po' boy.lol

Steve



toolfan
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2005
15:45:41

RE: Ball joint wear..?
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i hate the damn Duralast, they sound like i never replace the ball-joints. i think i will be taking it all back apart and replace with Moogs.



cuzindoug
GenIII
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11/11/2005
17:57:14

RE: Ball joint wear..?
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Just did mine not too long ago(100K) When you replace the lowers, as WardenJ said, go all 4, if you have wear on the lowers, then that places more tension on the uppers and wears them out too. I recommend doing the control arm bushings too. Better safe then sorry. I did upper and lower ball joints from Moog and upper and lower control arm bushings from Energy Suspension. Rides and handles like a wet dream:) The Moog fittings were designed for the dakota in mind.

If it ain't broke, fix it til it is.

knifemaker
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2005
18:17:05

RE: Ball joint wear..?
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Yeah, I know I should've replaced the uppers, and all other related things at the same time, but with tax time coming all too soon an $855. hit was about all I could take this time around..

Steve



sam sneed
Dodge Dakota
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11/15/2005
10:39:57

RE: Ball joint wear..?
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how much did you pay for all that stuff cuzin doug i have a 98 2wd and they are visibly worn the rubber boots are gone and i just know that water and dirt are getting down in there



tnelms
Dodge Dakota
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11/15/2005
17:55:28

RE: Ball joint wear..?
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Need to check out the factory recalls. Just bought my 2000 dakota used, and the previous owner gave me a letter about dodge recalling dakotas for ball joint work



knifemaker
Dodge Dakota
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11/15/2005
17:59:15

RE: Ball joint wear..?
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Since I had a Stealership do the work, I'm thinking that if there was a recall they would've mentioned it...maybe not. Thanks for the info, I'll check that out.

Steve



cuzindoug
GenIII
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11/15/2005
21:55:57

RE: Ball joint wear..?
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sam sneed - For the control arm bushings and ball joints it was about $150. I installed everything myself, so I saved on money(my index finger hated me though from the hammer strike)

If it ain't broke, fix it til it is.

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