took my 01 dakota in yesterday to have ball joints checked and a bad squeak when going over bumps. they told me the joints were fine but the squeak was coming from worn tie rod end bushings. cost to repair $99.89. they would have to order parts.

greg

 

How is this for Dodge. They have recalled the Dodge Dakota and the Dodge Durango becuase of faulty ball joints. BUT, they say they still do not see it as a safety problem. So they don't feel they should have to recall them just because they manufactured a product of poor quality. I bet if they had their homes and pools built with poor quality products, and they started to fall apart after a short time, do you think they would complain? I bet they would. Do you think if the homebuilder and pool builder, said" it's okay that we used poor quality products, because it does not pose a safety issue", would be a satisfactory answer for them. I bet NOT. I sincerely doubt the itegrity of Daimler Chrysler and the people who run it. Based on their response to the recall, will cause me to NEVER buy another Daimler Chrysler product again. If they had responded, yes there is definitely an issue with the ball joints on these vehicles and we have issued a recall, I would have figured maybe they realize the problem and are going to do aomething about it. But, when they say they are going to issue a recall , and say something like, but it's not a safety issue in their opinion. It's like saying we don't think we should have to pay for the recall, because it is not a safety issue. When in fact they knowingly continued to make a poor quality product that cost each customer someplace in the $15,000 to maybe $28,000 price range, and they complain because it is going to cost them a few hundred dollars per vehicle. How about, how much it could cost the customer who paid this amount for such a thing. It not only could cost a huge $ amount to get the thing fixed, but it could also cost the life or lives of a loved one. But, to Daimler Chrysler the few millions it cost to fix all these vehicles is not worth it because it poses no safety risk. This is something they do not know for sure, until someone is killed or severely hurt. Then it would surely cost more than a few million dollars if I was the juror. Anyone who knowingly produces a poor product, and should someone get hurt because of this poor item, should not only get punitive damages, but also jail time for manslaughter or committing bodily harm should the person not die.
Daimler Chrysler product will no longer be an option when I buy my next vehicle.

 

I'm literally crying ... I miss my '94 A LOT at this point ... at least the problems were simple and caused by old age ... I want my "Benny" back

 

Does any one know a good place to get the moog ball joints, website or store. Thanks

 

I know this is a long post but I think it is helpful. I believe that Dodge has also now included 2 wheel drive Dakotas, and are going to extend it to 100,000 miles on some trucks.................If you have any questions there is a number below that you can call.........

December 2004
Dealer Service Instructions for:
Safety Recall D47 - Upper Ball Joint Joints
2000 - 2003 (AN) Dodge Dakota 4x4 Pick-Up Truck
2000 - 2003 (DN) Dodge Durango 4x4
NOTE: This notification applies only to the above vehicles built through
December 31, 2002 (MDH 1231XX).
Water may enter into the front suspension upper ball joints on about 600,000 of the
above vehicles and cause corrosion and premature wear. Excessive wear of the
upper ball joint may cause the front wheel to separate from the vehicle and result in
a loss of control. A seriously worn ball joint may cause a “clunking� noise to
develop in the front suspension. However, vehicle occupants may not always hear
this “clunking� noise. Losing control of the vehicle could result in a crash.
Both front suspension upper ball joints must be replaced.
Models
IMPORTANT: Some of the involved vehicles may be in dealer used vehicle
inventory. Dealers should complete this repair on these vehicles before retail
delivery. Dealers should also perform this repair on vehicles in for service.
Involved vehicles can be determined by using the VIP inquiry process.
Subject
Repair
Safety Recall D47 -- Upper Ball Joints Page 2
Part Number Description
CEXMD471 Upper Ball Joint Package
Each package contains the following components:
Quantity Description
2 Upper Ball JointsSAFETY RECALL – UPPER BALL JOINTS

6 Bolts
6 Nuts
2 Cotter Pins
2 Castle Nuts



Dear: (Name)
This is to inform you of a safety issue concerning 2000 through early-2003 model year Dodge
Durango 4x4 vehicles and Dodge Dakota 4x4 pick-up trucks. Excessive wear of the upper ball joint
may cause the front wheel to separate from the vehicle and result in a loss of control.
The problem is... Water may enter into the front suspension upper ball joints on your vehicle
(VIN: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) and cause corrosion and premature wear. A
seriously worn ball joint may cause a “clunking� noise to develop in the front
suspension. However, vehicle occupants may not always hear this “clunking�
noise. Losing control of the vehicle could result in a crash.
What your dealer
will do...
DaimlerChrysler will repair your vehicle free of charge (parts and labor). To do
this, your dealer will replace both front suspension upper ball joints. The work will
take about two hours to complete. However, additional time may be necessary
depending on how dealer appointments are scheduled and processed.
What you must
do to ensure your
safety...
Simply contact your dealer right away to schedule a service appointment. Ask the
dealer to hold the parts for your vehicle or to order them before your appointment.
Remember to bring this letter with you to your dealer.
If you need
help...
If you have questions or concerns which your dealer is unable to resolve, please
contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Please help us update our records, by filling out the enclosed prepaid postcard, if any of the conditions
listed on the card apply to you or your vehicle. Be sure to print the last eight (8) characters of the VIN
(VVVVVVVV) and notification code D47 on the postcard.
If you have already experienced this condition and have paid to have it repaired, you may send your
original receipts and/or other adequate proof of payment to the following address for reimbursement:
DaimlerChrysler, P.O. Box 610207, Port Huron, MI 48061-0207, Attention: Reimbursement.
If your dealer fails or is unable to remedy this condition without charge and within a reasonable time, you
may submit a written complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590, or call the toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at
1-888-327-4236.
We're sorry for any inconvenience, but we are sincerely concerned about your safety. Thank you for your
attention to this important matter.
Customer Services Field Operations
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Notification Code D47
Note to lessors receiving this recall: Federal regulation requires that you forward this recall notice to the lessee within 10 day

 

i have a 99 dakota r/t. it went into the shop for lower ball joints on both sides. the dealer claimed that they aren't replaceable ball joints and that they had to change the control arms!! luckily they changed all four control arms for me. i had that service done about 40,000 miles ago and it is still fine!!

 

I've got a 99 also. According to Hayes Manual the upper ball joints are not servicable and the entire upper control arm must be replaced. Did a little more research: moog has replacement ball joints, upper and lower, that have grease fittings. For 1999, 2wd: Upr K742 @ $44.79 each. Lor K741 @ $41.89 each. Suspect that will 142,000 miles I'm not going to be in on any recall... fyi.

 

I have a 2004 4x4 Dakota with the same exact issue. I noticed the recall does not go to this year. Anyone else with a newer Dakota hearing the same loud cluncking noise? Sounds a lot like something hitting floor of the cab. The 2001 Dakota I owned had the same issue but I got out of it right before the recall was sent....................you would have thought I learned my lesson, but no, I went and bought another one.

I've had so many problems with previous Dakota's that I could easily run over the character quota writing it here.

 

Don't take this as gospel, but my dealer stated that in mid-production year 2003 the ball joints went to a different style. Still, they have no zerk fittings. I own an '03 Dak 4x4 QC and think the answer I got from the dealer was BS. But my VIN is not part of the recall. I suspect that if I have a wheel disconnect from the vehicle while driving I will be reminding them of what they told me. However with 23K miles I have not noticed any trouble with my truck, and have had it inspected annually at a non-Mopar garage where I get my wheel alignments done. The only 4x4 action my truck gets is winter driving in Ohio, and since it is not a Charger I don't drive it beyond daily highway trips. Hope this helps?

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