Outer tie rod ends. Must do tomorrow. Limped off 4 miles of dirt forest service road then a 70 mile drive home with bailing wire holding the tie rod end up into it's socket so the right front wheel wouldn't go wild and catapult me into the stratosphere, or nearest ditch. I'll provide pics later.

So, I have watched a couple of University of U-tube videos an how to for my 2005 Dakota, 4 dr, Laramie, 4.7 V-8 4x4. On the ones I watched the ball joints crown bolt was on the bottom, mine is on the top, is this a big concern? Was mine installed backwards by some previous person? I don't know. So I ask.
What's the best video and advise on replacing these parts. Will Duralast be good enough quality?

I was also told by the shop that helped me with my CV/prop shaft problem that both lower ***** need replacing and one upper. Is now the time to do that as well?

Thanks in advance and keep cool.

 

bailing wire and part of a fish stringer. Made it 73 miles.

 

While it isn't the scariest thing I've seen in a vehicle, it certainly makes the podium...

Mine's a 2005 and crowns are on top, same as yours. You might as well do the ball joints at the same time (if you can), since you will definitely need an alignment anyways. No idea about duralast, but I'm not a huge fan of brand-based purchases anyways, since everyone's quality control has been slipping in recent years.

 

All 3rd gen Dakota outer tie rods have the castlenut on the top of the knuckle so no worries from that perspective. For a 2005 that has never had the ball joints done it wouldn't be a bad idea to just knock it all out in one go. I usually have had good luck with Moog products, but at the very least try to get replacements that are greaseable.

 

upper ball joint isnt replaceable the whole upper arm gets replaced kinda makes it easier. just costs a little more