Dakota pickup truck

[Silver03SRT]

First off Dodge trucks suck. I have had so many problems with my 2006 Dakota its unreal I have had it in for warrenty many times. Now it needs another couple thousand which I have to pay out 860 because the ball joints are only covered until 50K. I have 60K on my truck. How hard is it to replace the ball joints and how much do you think it should cost.

[70challenger452]

the days of dodge building a good solid Dakota is long gone, you couldn't pay me to trade mine in for a new one, I stick to my simple old OBD-1 magnum any day The funny part is my truck gets better mileage than the new ones, and the gen 2's have the areodynamics of a brick.

[Plum Crazy]

uppers are only serviced with a new control arm, the lowers are press out, so a reliable independent can do it for cheap.


here is the lower balljoint special tools you need and a pic.


10. Press the ball joint (3) from the lower control arm (4) using special tools C-4212-F (PRESS) (1), 8445–3 (Driver) (2) and 9604 (Receiver) (5).

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z28/alexkosterman/188871.jpg


if you would like step by step, just let me know if its lowers or uppers and i can put them on here.

[Silver03SRT]

uppers are only serviced with a new control arm, the lowers are press out, so a reliable independent can do it for cheap.


here is the lower balljoint special tools you need and a pic.


10. Press the ball joint (3) from the lower control arm (4) using special tools C-4212-F (PRESS) (1), 8445–3 (Driver) (2) and 9604 (Receiver) (5).

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z28/alexkosterman/188871.jpg


if you would like step by step, just let me know if its lowers or uppers and i can put them on here.

I believe they said upper and lower but I could be wrong. Just seems like a lot of things have broke on a truck i bought new 2.5 years ago and take good care of. Its at the dealer getting warranty work but apparently ball joints are not warrantied

[SSScottSS]

Ball joints worn out at 60k?? That's just crazy!!! I'm not surprised though. My Charger needed both new tie rods by 26k

[TURTLE]

or the 300c's and chargers needing new steering racks! :omg

[Silver03SRT]

Ball joints worn out at 60k?? That's just crazy!!! I'm not surprised though. My Charger needed both new tie rods by 26k

I already replaced those. I have the laramie trx4 which is supposedly the off road version and i dont even go off roading with this truck.

[07ROUSHSTG3]

dodge vehicles = junk.

ford super dutys eat ball joints too. i am actually kind of surprised that you made it to 60 without needing them.

[07ROUSHSTG3]

or the 300c's and chargers needing new steering racks! :omg
or steering columns.

[Silver03SRT]

Oh thats another one they are fixing too. Some stearing linkage.

[Plum Crazy]

to tell you the truth, i have never seen balljoint problems on the latest gen of dakotas, 99-03, it was a recall.

As far as tierods, racks, and columns, its hit or miss. We to more caravan/town and country racks than anything else, every vehicle in the chrysler fleet has tierod issues(shitty supplier) and the 300 columns was a TSB.

Im not defending chrysler, but have worked at a dealer and owning one, they are generally sound vehicles.

[DRK]

ford super dutys eat ball joints too. .

I watched my buddy's S/D tow rig break one going down the road once, scary shit!

[Waver]

I am not surprised by this.....typical thing that I have seen with the dodge trucks when I worked at a shop.....balljoints and tierod ends lol

[T-Bag]

Any "heavy duty" truck should have its suspension checked everytime you rotate the tires, put the thing in the air, etc. (In response to Super Duty balljoint issues). 3/4 and 1 ton trucks tend to eat suspension parts on a regular basis...some more than others.

[Feature Pony]

I haven't had a problem with my 00 sport 4x4 with the 4.7. Front Brakes went at 92,000 miles last fall, I have had to replace the u-joints at 84,000 miles but thats it and regular oil changes, but no other issues. In fact my goodyear RSA tires (which I hate) those tires lasted 75,000 miles and I was hoping they would of wore out sooner. I had the ball joint recall done at 60,000 but my old ones were fine but they replaced them due to the recall. I also have the 5 speed in the truck as well so I get 17mpg in the city and 23-24 hwy which isn't to bad.

[Yeehaw]

doesnt help the factory tie rods on the chargers/magnums/300s are not greasable

[Plum Crazy]

doesnt help the factory tie rods on the chargers/magnums/300s are not greasable


exactly!!!! Balljoints on chrysler 3/4 and 1 tons usually go around 75k, if its a mega cab, closer to 50k.