Hey everyone, I have a few questions. For reference I have a 05 dakota 3.7 with 30k on the clock. Purchased a couple months ago with 25k. Since purchase I have changed the plugs, oil and filter, and air filter.

The Q's
How long do shocks generally last? I see the consensus is that the Ranchos seem to be a popular favorite.

It seems like there have been a good number of members with tie rod and ball joint issues. But usually they mention they have changed tires/rim sizes. Is this a common issue with dakotas?

Besides for the routine maintenance, oil changes plugs etc. Is there anything I should keep an eye out for that wouldnt be in the maintenance book that comes with truck?

Thanks everyone

 

front struts are junk. they dont last long. if you seem to be floating a couple seconds after speed bumps. then u many need struts. all chrysler 9.25 differentials leak a little bit some worse than others but its usually not bad enough to worry about. if you have the 6spd the clutch linkage is easy to break if u press the clutch in hard during an emergency stop (I figured that one out) And as far as the ball joints and tie rods. the factory ones are not greasable so they are destined to fail... the made them as cheap as possible. but people like myself and others that put on leveling kits and bigger tires probably do shorten the life quite a bit. luckily they are pretty easy to change and not too expensive if you do it yourself.

 

Don't go changing the shocks and struts just because the aftermarket ones are better. If they seem relatively comfortable and aren't causing you any problems, you are better off saving that money for the front end repairs you will be doing down the road.

30,000 miles is still pretty young. Many of us had to do ball joints around the 50k-75k area.

You buy the entire control arm for the uppers, and they are cheap, so that is no problem. The lowers press in to the control arm, so you may or may not want to pay a shop to do those.

Hopefully you have a little while to go yet.

The tie rod ends can go by the 50k-75k mark, as well as the sway bar end links (they can go earlier too). Both these repairs are small and inexpensive.

The things to check for in the next few years:

1. Ball joints, upper and lower
2. Outer tie rod ends
3. Inner tie rod ends
4. Sway bar end links
5. Rear axle pinion seal (may or may not have a problem)
6. Intermediate Steering Shaft (may or may not have a problem)

Some chose to flush and fill the rear axle at about 30k as well but as long as the level is correct, there is no need to until later in the trucks life.

Unless somthing is close to broken, you should be fine for now.

My 6 speed standard 06 dakota 3.7 needed front brake pads at exactly 50,000 miles. I would image an automatic tranny would mean the brakes will be done faster, you may want to just take a look at them now to gauge.

 

Well I average around 17-18k a year so in a year or two it seems like there is a good chance these issues will be coming up.

I wasnt expecting to potentially have so many front end problems prior to 100k.

Wasnt planning on doing shocks anytime soon, was just curious of the mileage when most people look to change.

Thanks for the responses

 

I changed mine out at @70k just because what I read on here and I thought mine were going bad...there is very little difference in ride quality with my Monroe's, maybe I feel more assured now, but nothing drastically changed in the way my truck handled. I think I could have gone awhile longer without changing them but at least thats one less thing I have to worry about later now that they are done.

 

Piece of mind is worth more to me than the $$ of parts sometimes. I think I might wait til 50k than start to replace things while ive got the time on my hands.

 

My struts were shot at 19K. The front end would bounce really bad and was dangerous at times.
The dealer said they were fine, yeah right! You'll know when it's time to replace them.