I was stop by a gentelman he seen my durango going like it was side ways . Never been in a wreck. Now i am told by two different mechnic that it is the upper ball joints and the rack and steering gear??The other mechnic said it was a leaf spring that was broken who should i believe?Also i asked about a alignment he said only the front can be align the backs are not adjustable. already had the lower ball joints replaced cost me alot due it was out of warrently pls help

 

Sounds like you need upper BJs, a steering rack, a repaired rear leaf and a 4-wheel alignment at a GOOD tire shop. Have them check the TREs too. Could be a $500-$2000 job.

You already have the instructions. Get it done. Any sideways driving vehicle is not safe to drive.

IndyD

 

The term the mechanic meant to tell you is "Dog tracking" also "crab walking".
( I mention the terms so you may search on your own and not just take my word) It's when the rear tires are not even with the fronts. The rear will track off to a side and will cause front toe wear/steering pull/etc. To align the rear, the spring mounts will have to be repositioned. If that does not help offset control arm bushings will have to be used.

Whomever said the rear cannot be aligned is un-ed-ju-ma-kated
If the front ball joints are fine without excessive play just have the rear leaf pack fixed and then aligned.

 

Why do i have to replace both leaf springs? when only one is bad

 

Neither post recomended both leaf packs be repaired, both mentioned addressing the broken leaf in the pack.

 

IMHO, if one leaf spring is gone, maybe the other one will go as well. I'd replace both just in case. Saves on installation costs.

 

Repairing 1 leaf pack shouldn't be necessary over the life of a vehicle, so if one goes bad, just fix/replace it. If both are going bad, you're doing it wrong.

The ball joints are a known problem on these and the same body style Dakotas, so having them go bad wouldn't be a surprise (you have upper and lower ball joints, so if you replaced one already, it's probably time to replace the others).

Also, a broken leaf spring pack can also cause the same type steering/tracking problems as a ball joint.

Sounds like a little TLC and it'll be back in action!

 

Oh and the "rack and pinion" would be last on my list of suspects. I would suspect a tie rod end before a rack and pinion, but knowing the history of the ball joints on these Durangos, I'd bet money that's the problem up front.

 

You need a Thrust alignment to get it back to center. Replace any broken pieces and get it 4 wheel aligned. During the aglinment they can find loose or worn steering components and advise you.

The steering gear has nothing to do with your Thrust alignment however the leaf on the rear and ball joints might do some you are way off on the Thrust alignment. Also your pinion should not have anything to do with it either. You need a different shop to look at it.

 

Does anyone know how much is a reasonable cost to replace both leaf springs?