Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint problems of the 1997 Dodge Dakota - part 1

Ball joint failure. . . . . . . . . Had to replace upper and lower ball joints in March 2005, and now in December 2007, I am having to replace upper ball joints again. Ball joints in 1997 Dodge Dakota are a defective design, and wear out too quickly.

During 200, squeak in front end became louder and louder. Had to have upper and lower ball joints replaced on the left and right. Truck had 95,000 miles. 2 years late same problem with squeak in front end became louder and louder. Needed to have the ball joints replaced again. Only about 10,000 miles on truck this time.

Premature wear and failure of upper and lower ball joints. Truck was making popping noises when you turned the wheel or went over bumps. Took to local mechanic; mechanic stated that the ball joints were scary bad. Mechanic also stated that if I had not brought the vehicle in the front wheels could have broken off causing the vehicle to wreck.

I bought a 1997 Dodge Dakota pick/up that had 52,303 miles showing on the speedometer, the dealer said and showed me a "safety check" seal on the windshield and told me they safety check all their used cars and trucks, after finally putting 1,000 miles on the truck I noticed it was getting harder and harder to steer and control, I also started hearing a loud noise in the front end when turning. I finally took the truck to a garage and asked to check the front end, the dealer had supposedly aligned the front end at the time of purchase. To my surprise and the mechanics, when he jacked up the vehicle and went to check the ball joints, the left front wheel started to fall off, the ball joint was so worn out. This vehicle has 53,324 miles on it at present, these are actual miles, there is only 3 titles been issued for this vehicle, the original buyer (new), the dealer and my self. Apparently the dealer knew the front end ball joints were worn out, a true safety check and the supposedly front end alignment they claim they did would have shown that. Also the safety check they claim they do, should have shown the ball joints were worn out. If we had been driving on the interstate and the left front wheel fell off, I dread thinking how many cars would have been involved in the wreck. The cost of replacing all 4 ball joints cost me $237. 00, I am positive a dealer would have paid less to repair the vehicle prior to guaranteeing that it was a safe vehicle. In having the vehicle repaired I have found out that the Dodge trucks have a history of ball joint failure, especially older models.

Suspension, upper and lower ball joints replaced and shocks replaced - 60k miles. Recall on 2000 and up but problem with 97 and up.

After reading about ball joint failure on Dakotas and durango's I checked my 1997 Dakota with 43000 miles and found all upper and lower ball joint seals torn open and no grease in the in the ball joint socket. There is no sign of any grease ever in or around the ball joints. The joints are starting to rattle.

Badball joints on 1997 Dodge Dakota.

The consumer took the vehicle for in for state inspection and the mechanic informed the driver that the left and right upper and lower ball joints needed replacement due to corrosion. Upper ball joints replaced by dealer at 34,000 mile. At state inspection in 2004 the upper and lower joints were replaced. Manufacturer recalled this type of vehicle but only model year 2000.

I have a 1997 Dodge Dakota 2 wheel drive. All four balljoints on the front end are very prone to failure. They wear prematurely as there is no way to lubricate the parts. My wheel has not yet fell off, although the balljoints rattle and clunk because they are worn out prematurely.

A knocking noise was coming from the front of the vehicle. The consumer drove to the dealer and the mechanic informed the consumer that the left and right upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to corrosion.

At 28000 miles, both lower ball joints had to be replaced due to wear. Recently at 48000 when taken to get aligned, the consumer had to replace both upper ball joints due to wearing on the left side and a broken right side ball joint.

While driving 4 mph front left end ball joint collapsed. Vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection, and mechanic determined that the front lower ball joint needed to be replaced.

Need to replace upper and lower ball joints on Dakota with 173,000 miles. This will be the 7th set of ball joints on this vehicle. Dealer states "no other customer complaints.

Oct. '04 brought truck in for a wheel alignment and was told the control arm and upper and lower ball joints need replacing at a cost of $1,000. For safety I had the front end fixed. You have ordered recalls for similar failures in the 2000-03 Dakotas. The 1997's have the same problem.

The consumer took the vehicle in for routine maintenance. The mechanic noticed both front upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to corrosion. Please fill in additional information.

I own a 1997 Dodge Dakota, v8 and for several months when I was turning, I experienced the terrible grinding sound from my front driver side wheel. I took it in to firestone today where they diagnosis upper and lower ball joints for all four wheels at a cost of over $1,000. The technician informed me this was common in Dodge Dakota's and durango's and that they are really bad. He states I could continue to drive it but worst case scenario is I'll be driving some day and the wheel could come off or lose control of the steering. I've researched the issue and found that there are thousands of complaints and daimler Chrysler as yet has done nothing to correct the problem. I also note that your agency is supposed to be investigating this issue. I am waiting on your report before I pay to replace the joints although this may lead to a serious consequences on my part. When will daimler Chrysler address this issue?.

97 Dakota serviced every 3000 miles. Ball joints worn out and need to be replaced. Truck has 87000 miles. I have never owned a vehicle where this has happened.

Suspension ball joint failure.

The vehicle was taken to a independent shop for a routine general maintenance, and the mechanic noticed that all four ball joints felled worn out prematurely. Independent shop charge $1,200. Please provide further information.

Upper and lower ball joints wore out prematurely. . . . . . . Consumer claimed that he had a valid request after seeing notification of a recall on 2000-2003 Dodge Dakota trucks to replace ball joints. Asked for a reimbursement of $663. 60 for replacing upper and lower ball joints. Cedar rapids Dodge told consumer he had replace the ball joints. They said it was a safety issue and quoted $1,126. 50 to make the repair. Howeverbartosh automotive charded $663. 60 to perform same work.

Upper and lower ball joints on the right and left sides of the vehicle were defective. While driving consumer heard a popping noise when ever making a right or left turn. Took vehicle to the mechanic, and was told to park the vehicle because it was very dangerous.

Driving down I-55 by wilmington truck started to pull real bad to the left got off the highway next exit went straight to garage the mechanic put on the lift was able to remove the balljoint with his hand.

While driving 55 mph vehicle pulled to the right. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that the entire upper and the lower ball joints needed to be replaced. Also, the parts were available for analysis. Dealer was contacted.

I have replaced the upper and lower ball joints about six months ago and my left front already started squeaking again. I will have to replace them once more. I believe Dodge should recall these vehicles for this purpose. It has caused my tires to wear unevenly and I have to replace them prematurely.

I pulled into my driveway, ran in the house to pick up some paperwork, got back in the truck and back out of the driveway. The lower control arm broke away from the frame. One weld is broken and the other is ripped. No company will fix this vehicle because of the liability issues. I never hit anything that would break this arm. I was told by three different companies that they have never seen this happen. The ball joint was in tact and had not broken. Now I have to pay for a truck which is just a piece of junk.

Noticed improper tire wear on the front end. Took for an inspection and all ball joints were found to be in need of replacement. Mechanic stated that the they could have failed at any time.

1997 Dodge Dakota - ball joint problems - premature wear. Also causing tires to prematurely wear and scalp.

Failure of upper and lower ball joints.

While driving consumer heard a loud noise coming through the front end. Dealership informed consumer that front lower arm ball joint wore out.

Upper ball joints wore out prematurly.

Consumer took vehicle for and inspection and it failed. Failure was due to excessive upper and lower ball joint wear.

While driving 45 mph steering wheel vibrated. The mechanic determined that the problem was due to the front ball joints being worn out. The faulty ball joints resulted in bad alignment and caused the tires to wear improperly.

While driving at any speed consumer heard a clanking sound coming from the front end. Dealer examined the vehicle, and found that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.

Lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to permature wear.

1997 Dodge Dakota upper and lower balljoints have failed pre-maturely. I currently am experiencing loud noises from the front of the vehicle when riding over small bumps. My mechanic stated that the upper and lower balljoints need to be replace on both sides of the vehicle. I am the orginal owner of this vehicle and it has never been used off paved roads.