Hello All! First time posting here - wish I didn't have to, but alas, I'm glad it is here!</P>


I hvae had a clunking noise in my front end for a while - it doesn't seem to be getting worse, but bothers me anyway. I have a 2001 SLT Plus with the 5.2 V8 - I pulled a 4500# boat for about a year and a half if that could have any bearing on the problem - I don't recall if this started when I started pulling the boat or not.</P>


The problem is best described as a clunking noise in the wheel wells up front. It is almost exclusively heard when I have the wheels turned one way or another and go through a dip or over a bump - more the dip than anything else. I pull through a little dip every day at work when I prepare to back into my space - almost every day as I pull through the dip, I hear the clunk.</P>


Any idea what may be going on here??</P>


Thanks in advance for the help!!! Rick</P>

 

Sounds like your ball joints have gone bad. There is a common problem with the ball joints and the govt is doing research into whether to do a recall.</P>


Take it to a dealer and demand to have them fixed if you're still under warranty. They will most likely do it. If you're not under warranty, then you'll have to pay to get it fixed, but hang on to the receipt if the recall comes out.</P>

 

Thanks Cosmo - I have the extended warranty so I will defintiely demand free repair - well, minus the deductible. How critical is the repair?Basically, is this something I should take care of ASAP? Will it bring on failure of other components?</P>


Thanks again!!!</P>

 

Yes, you should have it looked at as soon as you can. I haven't experieinced it, but others on other forums have indicated that if it gets too bad, the wheel can fall off.

 

Just brought in my durango for service, told them to check the front end; for it clunks knocks pops and rattles when going over slight bumps, or speedbumps, it also skips lanes slightly when traveling on parkways. The front end also feels as if it is going to fall right off. Called dealer today, and found out they ordered a sway bar unit. Hopefully this will solve the problem, but i plan on giving them hell about the ball joints. Im not liking the idea that my wheel can fall off.

 

your wheel absolutely CANNOT fall off if the upper joint fails. The spindle can go everywhich way causing loss of control but the wheel will still be attached to the spindle. Durango Dakota owners---easy check of your own upper ball joints-with the vehicle sitting on the ground, walk up to both front wheels, place one fot against the bottom of the tire and push/pull with your hands at the top of the tire. A little play is OK(very little) If they really move get them fixed. There is a recall coming, just dont know when yet.

 

^ Actually, it can come off..... without proper care taken. I recently got my Durango out of the shop for the ball joints (go figure eh?) The lady in the waiting room while I was there said that she had pulled up to a stop sign, stopped, and her right front tire did not. She said that when she started to go again, her car rattled, shook, clunked, and dipped.... apparently her tire wasn't attached to the car any longer. lol. I think that there was more involved to it than that though..... like overly loose lug nuts and all that.

 

The tire can come for lots of reasons but the ball joint failing is not one of them. If the joint fails and actually were to pull out of the socket the spindle would kick out and forward causing loss of control but the tire would still be attached to the car.

 

Hey all,

I have a problem with a 1999 Durango that sounds the exact same as this and I was wondering how much you guys think it would cost to have it fixed. I dont have any recalls that havent been done and obviously no warrenty. Thanks

Chad