I have 84K on the 2wd dakota. I live in Minnesota (winter road salt land) - I still can't believe I'm having front end problems this soon. I suppose since Dodge is too cheap to put in grease fittings we all have to suffer. They make more money off us that way....

Sounds like I have some work to do, hopefully I can do it all myself.

You think Dodge is the best source or can I get a lot of the front end parts from somewhere like Summit Racing?

I replaced the sway bar links last year since one was broken.

My first Dakota 1998 was a good one, but this 05 has had it's share of problems - probably my last Dodge product.

 

I like ordering my parts from Rockauto.com - they are very quick, fairly priced, and easy to do returns with. For after market parts, I prefer Moog whenever possible.

 

since everything in the front end is boot and ball jointed the only way to pinpoint it yourself is check for play at each joint. using a dial indicator is by the textbook but my rule of thumb is, if you can feel it, its too much.

 

what causes the loud squeak in the front end of my 05 dakota V8 slt 4x4