I have a 06 dakota 4x4 and I have to change the lower ball joint and outer tie rod. I am just wondering how hard it is to do the job?
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Welcome to the forum! You will get better responses if you post in the 3rd generation dakota section. Most of us here don't have any experience with the new Dakotas.

 

Thanks a lot. I am not sure what I am doing on here yet.

 

I can't say how hard it is but it took the mechanic approximately an hour to change the ball joint on my driver side when i purchased it cuz it was going bad

 

The lower ball joint is pressed into the lower control arm. You will need a ball joint press kit, to remove the bad one, and replace the new one.

You can find videos on youtube that show you how to do this with a similar vehicle.

The outer tie rod end is very easy. There is a video on how to change one on a dakota on youtube as well.

I would try to do the job myself personally. This is one of those jobs where both parts are cheap, but the labor at a shop would be rather expensive.

If you are the type that can change a belt, a starter, or do there own brake job, then I would say you could handle this yourself.

 

i had all mine done, you just cant change the ball joint, it is a one piece unit that is riveted, not pressed into the control arm, dont be fooled by the manual, it is wrong

 

Even with the Lower ball joint??

I thought only the upper one was riveted.

 

if that was the case, everyone would be switching to the greasable moog ball joints, which they make, drop coondog05 a message, he had to do them also. and todd had to buy the complete set

 

even if it's rivited they are easily drilled out. The replacement ball joint comes with bolts to replace the revits!