I could have sworn I heard there is a recall on this now.

 

Well, if there has been a recall, Dodge sure is not informing the truck and SUV owners. I bought mine new and have not received any such notice and I have not moved since buying it.
I do not believe that Dodge has issued a recall and I don't expect them too, unless they are forced to by the NTSB. This would be much too expensive a recall, and I just can't see any large company owning up to its errors. Let's face it you really don't have to have an engineering degree to know that metal on metal will not last- you need lubrication. This is just plain common sense. For so called intelligent engineers and corporate execs to not know this is very unlikely. This is just a cheap way of getting the product to market. They usually put the blame someplace else. Let's face it, what large company (in the US) really has its employees and consumers in mind when they do things? The problem is if it's done rright the first time everyone is happy, company and consumer (that's how the Japanese market works- pride in the product by both employer and employee- loyalty also goes both ways in their market-- the US market is all about immediate profits and not long term results-- that's why US companies have so many layoffs and take short cuts to get a product to market).
I have owned 3 Japanese vehicles with very little problems and they fixed all without a question- things like map light failure- a wire came loose, a recall on a seat belt because food could cause jamming and failure of the mechanism. That's about all I have had gone wrong with their products- and all gave over 150,000 miles of service and my Acura is still going strong. I believe Dodge (as all US companies) will do nothing until odered by the federal government. Safety only becomes an issue when it is a US order. They will never take the responsibility themselves for poor design of a product. The issue as far as I know is still being investigated by the NTSB and when they get their results, is about the only time Dodge will do anything about the problem.
They feel they can keep any problem brought to court by an individual in the court system for years, and this is cheaper than issuing a recall. They also know, that the average individual does not have the finances needed to go against a large company by themselves for an issue that can be kept in the courts for years. Until someone is seriously injured or killed will be about the only time Dodge will be forced to address this issue (or the NTSB). Why? This is also the only type of case an attorney will take on consignment. Again, why? The answer is always the same $$$$$$$$$$

 

Thanks for the good gouge, everyone. Does this problem cause that squeak in the front end on cold mornings, like when you go over a speed bump or curb? If so, this is much bigger than just Dakotas and Durangos 'cause my buddy's got a Caravan and he complained of the same squeak that I have.

Did anyone check out the news articles about this? The most important question is, can something be done about them outside of Dodge dealing with it? Are there aftermarket replacements that can be lubed?

As much as I like my Dodge, I really hate the ******** that run the company...

 

Bobcatt34,

It's really funny that you asked about after market products. I have heard that there is at least one available, but I called the Dodge people to inquire about having it installed on my Dakota. I wasn't asking if they reccommended the product, I was only asking the mechanics if it was compatible with the Dodge Dakota. There answer was really irritating to me-- he said he would not comment about the compatability of the after market product with the Dakota, but he could only recommend the Mopar products for use on the Dodge. In essence they were refusing to respond to my question about compatability of a product with my Dakota. They want to forcr you to buy from their own company regardless of the poor engineering. That is why I will go back to the Japanese products. Not only do they take care of problems with their vehicles, they also will help you get products that are compatible with your vehicle even if they are not the manufacturer's. Dodge or should I say Daimler/Chrysler, is not interested in customer satisfaction.
I use to believe in buy American, but I got disgruntled by my GM product and bought 3 Japanese models since then and all 3 were great. I then went back to a US product, as I heard good things about the Dakota, but the US manufacturers seem to all follow the same suit. They want you to buy their products and their parts. Well, when their parts suck, why would you buy them again? I wouldn't, and since Dodge can't recommend a part that will fix the problem once and for all (their ball joints don't work and they know it), even another company's product, I see it as a faulty vehicle. Let's face it- if a part doesn't work, and there is no other part but the one that doesn't work for the vehicle, what good is the vehicle?
US auto manufacturers can only thank themselves if eventually they go under, as they are losing their customers to foreign manufacturers, and they have no one to blame, but themselves. I will no longer buy an American made vehicle where parts don't last 40,000 miles. The Japanese products last 100,000s of miles. Which would you buy?

 

I've had my ball joints replaced 2 times by Dodge under warrenty and I finally had MOOG joints installed about 2 months ago (which I put off for months)

My first set went at about 20,000
Second set went at about 35,000
Third and fianl set I replaced at 65,000

Although I replaced both uppers and lowers I'm still getting a popping noise. This weekend I developed a nice squeak also so I've gotta get it in the garage this weekend. I suspect it's the struts otherwise my tie rod ends are shot. [:@]

 

Yeah, the upper ball joints are not too good after about 30,000 miles. And on my '01 Dakota there are no ball joints listedm according to the auto shop I gi too, as an alternative to the Mopar joints. However, I have heard that there are Moog joints available, but they are not listed as comparable part in their catalog. Would you happen to know the stock# of the Moog joints you had installed? Thanks.

 

My joint numbers are supposedly different than yours because I have a '98 Dak. I looked up joints for a 01 and came up with these MOOG #'s

#K7392 -2WD/4WD UPPER

#K7393 -2WD LOWER

#K7395 -4WD LOWER

Their about 43 bucks a piece on www.rockauto.com (where I found the part numbers) I've never ordered from rock but have heard good things about them. My local Belle Tire installed the joints for me because I needed them replaced and this winter was pretty cold without a heated garage otherwise I would have saved the 200 installation fee and did it myself. HTH

 

Thanks JROD. When my new Mopars wear out and it won't be long I'll replace them with the MOOG joints. I know they have to be better than Daimler/Chrysler parts!!

 

I had the same problem with my 00 R/T, first few times I brought it in they said there was nothing wrong with it and that it was working properly, eventualy they said it was the upper ball joints and replaced them though, they were replaced at around 27k miles.

 

Hey Guys...I just ordered my new Dak and i was curious if anyone knows if Dodge has tried to rectify this problem at the factory at all? Just wonderin if anyone has any ideas...Also, im looking to get the best intake i can for the 4.7 aftermarket. Is there any sites that have actual numbers that can show true flow numbers or actual CFMs for multiple intakes? I do not want just one site trying to sell me thier specific intake. I know K&M are nice, but I also want to look into other options, obviously for price and possibly higher performance....Thanks!