Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint problems of the 1998 Dodge Durango - part 2

Wheel fell off Durango, due to defective ball joints.

I own a 98 Durangos has same problem as 2000-2003, <a href=". . Read more...

Dodge Durango slt 1998 4x4 driving stability degraded. Electronic diagnostics at repair shop showed front steering out of spec: "value is not within specification. Tier wear, handling and safety problems may result. " replacement of front ball joints was required. Vehicle only has 56,000 miles.

Front end steering noises, no failure, dealer diagnosed upper ball joints extremely worn, lower joints loose. Needs full replacement of all ball joints.

Both front wheel bearings and front axle have been replaced. The upper and lower ball joints are shot and will be replaced.

Tires showing excessive wear on front of vehicle. Tires replaced and told to have alignment by tire dealer. I took vehicle to independent repair shop and was told all four ball joints were wore out. (uppers and lowers) it is being repaired at this time, and having shop save them for me.

Consumer's vehicle experienced same problem as mentioned in recall 04v596000 concerning ball joint wear. Recall campaign.

At very low speeds, such as pulling in or out of driveway, can feel and hear popping noises through the floor boards. Also, the steering wheel would be very loose; it takes about two inches before steering wheel is actually able to be turned. Have taken vehicle to mechanic and was informed that upper and lower ball joints, on all wheels, are worn out and need to be replaced.

Consumer was in an accident. Found that the ball joints were bad. Recall 04v596000 was issued concerning ball joint wear.

Vehicle was taken to an after market repair shop and was told that the upper and lower ball joints were defective. Because of the defect a wheel alignment was improbable.

Consumer noticed that the vehicle was swaying back and forth. Consumer drove it to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to corrosion. The ball joints caused the tire to wear rapidly.

Faulty craftmanship. Ball joints worn at 30296 miles, 1998 Dodge Durango. .

Yesterday, 8/25/04, while exiting a highway the ball joints on my 1998 Dodge Durango slt 4x4 failed on me. As I was breaking the front suspension felt like it dropped down and I heard a clunk and temporarely lost control of the vehicle however I was able to gain control quickly and pull into a gas staion. I could not notice anything(but im not mechanically knowledgable) at first when I pulled into the gas station and got out to look around my wheels but as I went to drive away there was a knocking noise and a virbration coming from the front of the vehicle. Luckly I was close enough to midas so I went right to them and they put it up on a lift and showed me the ball joints. The bottoms had completely come apart(dropped out I think was the term) and the top ones were extremely loose and had a lot of play on them. I was told that I was lucky that it happened when it did and not on the highway where I was doing 65mph because there was a chance that the wheels could have actually fallin off my vehicle causing who knows what to happen (major accident, death, ect. . ) and that Dodge Durangos and dakotas are the most common vehicle with this problem. I had them repaired at a total cost of 942. 30. They replaced the upper and lower ball joints on both sides of the front end and gave me the old ball joints to do with as I please. The only thing left to determine is why the knocking noise that arrose only after the ball joints failed on me is still there after having them replaced and I am going back to midas tomorrow to try to get a diagnosis of this problem.

While driving, the consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The mechanic informed the consumer that ball joints wore out.

Upper and lower ball joints wear out prematurely.

While driving a loud noise was heard coming from the rear. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that both front upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.

1998 Dodge Durango ball joints.

Extreme squeaky noises coming from the front end of the truck. Mechanic said that upper and lower ball joints wore out and this was a very common problem with these suvs. He said that it was likely that there will be a recall on this soon as well.

While driving vehicle was swaying from side to side. Consumer had difficulty handling vehicle on the road. Vehicle was serviced, and technician determined that the lower and upper ball joints were worn out and needed to be replaced.

Thank god, we have no "incident" to report. However,if we did not decide to bring our Dodge Durango in to get the ball joints checked out we may have had a "horrible incident"!!! the repairman said the ball joints were so loose that they could move them around when pulling on the tires. We have three children that ride in this vehicle daily,the tires could have fallen off at any time!!!!!!! this is unacceptable and Dodge must be held accountable for their faulty defects.

While driving, the consumer heard a loud noise coming from the front end. An independent mechanic determined that the front lower ball joints wore out. But the problem was not yet resolved.

While driving at any speed vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that both frontal upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.

Vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine check up and the mechanic determined that both frontal wheels came off and that the upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.

All 4 ball joints on the vehicle were close to failing at 72,310 miles. Plus, an inner tie rod was bad and the right wheel bearing. This caused the steering to be very loose and it became hard to control.

During routine inspection dealership informed the consumer that front/rear ball joints were loose. The problem was not resolved.

Vehicle wandered across the road while driving at any speed. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that both front lower ball joints needed to be replaced. The dealer was not notified.

Both upper and lower ball joints must be replaced at 66,000 miles which seems very early for a component of this type. The durange has been careflully maintained.

I was bringing my 4 year old daughter to preschool this morning when I hear a thumping noise so I pulled over and noticed my tires were fine. So after I dropped her off at school I decided to take it to the dealership where I bought the car after seeing the program about bad ball joints in Durangos. Well after the mechanics inspected my car they told me that if I had hit another bump or pot hole in the road my tires would have snapped off. That is how bad they were. I had no warning except for this morning. So I called diamel Chrysler to get them to cover the cost and they said " in good faith" they would fix the ball joints at no cost but would not cover any other damage done by the ball joints going. I could've gotten killed today with my daughter or I could've killed someone else. There should be an immediate recall on the ball joints before someone gets killed. By the ball joints being bad my tires which were new are shot, my hub on both sides needs to be replaced, both shocks and the bearings on both sides. I have to pay over $1,200. 00 in damages because of a ball joint.

I have a 98 Dodge Durango with 72000 miles on it. The lower ball joint failed on the SUV having to replace upper and lower ball joints.

The upper and lower ball joints are worn and loose on my 1998 Dodge Durango. When I discovered this defect I went to 15 used car lots that also had Dodge Durangos in their inventory and every one either had the same condition or the ball joints were already replaced.

The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealership for inspection and the mechanic determined that both upper ball joints were wearing prematurely. The consumer will have the mechanic replace the upper ball joints. (all of the ball joints needed to be replaced).

The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an alignment, and mechanic determined that the lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to defective parts. Manufacturer notified.

Upon inspection, lower ball joints on 1998 Dodge Durango were found to be rusted, loose, and had to be replaced. Inspection facility indicated they had 4 or 5 other Durangos with similar problems, some which resulted in accidents.

1998 Dodge Durango slt v-8, front tire just about fell off while driving, ball joint problem of course. We have 5 children and I thank god they were not in the car. I have seen so many of these complaints, what is the problem , why is there no recall yet. Does there have to be death involved before something is done. These u. S . Car dealers want our business but they wont stand behind their product, its no wonder everyone seems to be buying imports. There repair parts may cost alittle more, but these cars seem to be more reliable. I have owned an import and had great luck with it. In fact it still runs and its a 1992. Obviously Chrysler needs to start doing something about these complaints, please we trusted this company enough to buy this $$$$$$ truck , and would buy another, but not if you wont stand behind the product. Maybe we should try a Ford, alot of people seem to like them.

Vehicle was making noise from the front and performing inadequately was taken to the mechanic, who determined that ball joints were defective.