Steering Tie Rod Assembly problems of the 1998 Dodge Durango

While driving down a paved road the vehicle suddenly jerked to one side as I braked I attempted to correct with the steering but it did not respond. I came to rest approximately 3 feet from a 70 foot embankment. I laid down under the car to see if I could find an apparent problem and noticed that the steering tie rod end was hanging down. Upon further inspection I noticed that all of the threads on the inner tie rod end and on the steering drag link to be completely bare of thread. I am currently pricing the cost of a new tie rod end and drag link which hopefully will repair the problem, however the problem may have caused additional damage to the 4 wheel drive system. After talking to the local tire store and checking on the internet I find that this is a problem that seems to be occurring quite often on this model and could possibly be fatal if the driver panics or doesn't have the strength to hold the wheel.

Daimler Chrysler issued a recall (04v596000) for ball joint and extended warranty to 10 yr / 100000 miles for 2000 - 2003 Durangos. My question is why the '98 Durangos were not included since my 98 Durango had the same failure and the current mileage is only 69,000.

My Dodge Durango started making a clunking noise in the front suspension upon turning or going over rough pavement. I took the car into the shop and there was a failure of both the upper ball joints as well as the tie-rod ends, nearly separated. Per the garage, unusual for a 7 year old car with 66,000 miles. They need to be replaced before the catastrophic failure occurs. Replacement will include both upper and lower ball joints on left and right side and 4 tie rods. Old parts are available. Total cost of repair $1,100.

The consumers 1998 Durango needed both front and rear upper and lower ball joint replacement . The consumer experienced a spin out accident due to front end instability and bad tie rod ends. The consumer suggested that the front tires wore out in one year.

Intermittently vehicle made a clanking noise while driving under normal conditions . Vehicle was taken to a dealership for inspection, who indicated that the upper ball joints were bad and needed to be replaced, and they were replaced. Three months later, the outer and inner tie rod ends needed to be replaced.

Tie rod ends and driver side balljoint remature wearing of front tires due to failure of tierod ends both sides and the upper ball joint is going out last tire almost blew out due to the type of wear. The tire only had 15,000 miles on it the inner portion was down to the steelbelt the only way I saw it was because I was under the truck replaceing the tierods turns out the upper ball joint is bad also. I think five sets of tires due to poor manufactureing of a suspention is quite over kill. Speaking of the last one may have killed me if I didnt happen to be under the truck. Replaced the tie rod ends because I was told that was the reason for the tire wear. It turns out thats not the only reason. Yes the old parts are available for your inspection.

My 1998 Dodge Durango 4x4 is in need of replacement of the following front end parts: driver's side upper and lower ball joints, and outer tie rod, passenger side upper and lower balljoints, and inner tie rod. The SUV is very difficult to handle because of this and I feel extremely dangerous putting my life in jeopardy on several occasions on highways.

Consumer has a concern that a second tie rod needs to be replaced with less then 11,000 miles of wear. Dealer was not notified. Please provide any further information.

Ball joints wore out on front steering mechanism. Top and bottom ball joints and tie rods had to be replaced in order to pass state inspection. Over $1,000 for repairs. Told this is probably a manufacturing defect. Dealer informed me that they go out a lot and that a recall could be in the process and to check with dot because they decide on recalls.

I have a 1998 Dodge Durango with 78,000 miles on it, having problems with upper and lower ball joints they all need to be replaced because of this, tire wear is uneven and horrendous, I have also had to replace the drivers side front wheel bearing twice in the last six months and because it is a closed bearing you replace the entire hub. I expect normal wear and don't expect a vehicle to never cause expenses, but this is extremely excessive.

Consumer took vehicle to dealer for an alignment, and was told that an alignment could not be done because vehicle needed upper and lower ball joints. Consumer stated that tie rod in upper left arm was replaced. Consumer had not yet had a problem with vehicle, but was told that the 1999 model was being recalled for ball joints.

Upon replacement of the tires dealership was unable to perform a front end alignment. Upper and lower ball joints and the inner tie rod were defective and needed to be replaced.

During a vehicle inspection dealer determined that the upper ball joints wore out and must be replaced. There was no indication of a problem before the inspection. The dealer also stated the tie rods needed to be replaced.

Both upper ball joints had to be replaced due to wear. Upper and lower control arms as well as the inner tie rods were worn and were replaced.

Bad front end parts on 1998 Dodge Durango.

Two lower ball joints and two tie rods had to be replaced in my 1998 Dodge Durango.

Tie rods & ball joints already needed to be replaced on the vehicle.

1998 Dodge Durango 45,311 miles needed upper and lower ball joints and inner tie rods replaced.

Pe 03-032, front suspension upper ball joint failure. The upper ball joints, and the tie rods have been replaced. Vehicle barely has 74000 miles.

The front end of my Durango has had over 3 thousand dollars worth of work, and has never had an accident and only has 60,000 miles on it. Both drivers and passenger side ball joints have been replaced (twice). Tie rod ends,control arm,and front shocks have had to all be replaced. The vehicle pulls to the right (dramtically) especially when braking, and has always done so, no matter what we do. This is an on going problem, the last replacement was done approximately 1 year ago.

Events leading up to failure: 1. ) noise eminating from the front of the vehicle ? clunking, squeaking; 2. ) loose steering associated with clunking; . ) wandering at speed. Failure and consequences: 1. ) prior to complete failure the vehicle was diagnosed by a local dealer as worn lower ball joints, right inner tie rod end, and sway bar bushings 2. ) possible consequences of not determining the problem prior to failure ? unsafe operation or life threatening accident due to steering failure correction: 1. ) replaced lower both lower ball joints, sway bar bushings, and the right inner tie rod end ($777. 78 parts and labor) in light of recent recalls regarding ball joints of 2000-2003 Dodge dakotas and Durangos, we believe investigation into earlier models is warranted. Extremely similar symptoms are evident on the earlier models prior to 2000 leading us to believe the problem existed prior to the 2000 model year. Given this vehicle was rarely placed in extreme conditions (off-road maneuvers, etc. ), never in an accident, and with the majority of the time spent on paved roads, failure of ball joints and other suspension components in the 50,000 to 60,000 mile range is premature. We request an investigation into including 1998-1999 Dodge Durangos into the formal ball joint recall as detailed for the 2000-2003 models.

The upper and lower ball joints were worn and needed to be replaced at 62,000 miles. This seems to be low mileage for such repairs. Also, the dealer indicated the tie rod ends were wearing as well and recommended replacing them but they posed no immediate danger but they suggested the tie rod ends may fail soon. Repairs were guoted in excess of $1200. 00! this seems to be low mileage for these repairs as well. With the number of complaints on file it would seem to be prudent to issue a recall on the front suspension, all components, on the Durangos. And to issue reimbursements for those repairs already completed.

Bad ball joints and tie rod ends.

1998 Dodge Durango with bad upper and lower ball joints due to the bad ball joints the tierod is now warped.

Tie rod ends and both lower ball joints failed. Prior to the ball joint failure the vehicle could not be balanced or aligned properly.

I own a Dodge Durango 1998 and I saw that you are doing an investigation of the Durango's. I recently took my Durango to a tire specialist to get an alignment done the vehicle has been pulling for some time now. They informed me that the ball joints and the 2 outer and 1 inner tie rods are bad and need to be replaced. If I take the vehicle to the dealership its going to be about a 900 procedure where if I take it to someone else it will be a 700 procedure but in order to be re-imbursed if a recall does come out I was told that I have to take it to the dealer. I am a pregnant woman and I have a 1 year old child. I am really worried that something that other mothers have experienced will also happen to me and my family. I am the one that drives this vehicle day in and day out. Since we bought the Durango in 2002 we have had to replace tires, brakes, water pump, radiatior, now the ac is not blowing cold or even cool air and we need the ball joints and tie rods replaced. You have my word that I will never buy another Dodge. I know this is being investigated and I wanted to let you know that this is a severe problem and I hope they do something soon before people die.

1998 Dodge Durango slt ball joints have worn out twice. Loose steering, drifting in lane, difficult not to over steer. Diagnosed by Dodge dealer 12/27/2001 at 71,000 miles and had been bad for a long time. Replaced upper, lower, and tie rod ends on 4/23/02 not at Dodge dealership. Diagnosed again by Dodge on 9/23/2004 at 103,000 miles and replaced lower ball joints again, at the dealership.

I owned a 98' Dodge Durango that had a tie rod break while I was driving on the n. Y. , thruway with my children which also resulted in a brake line behind severed luckily I was able to get my car stopped with out a serious accident. I had to pay to have this fixed out of pocket even thought I sent Chrysler an e- mail telling them that under 65,000 miles I did not think a vehicle should be doing this. Then I also had to have the upper and lower ball joints and tie rods and a ball bearing replaced. All total I spent $3000. 00 to replace these tings without Dodge helping me at all. I had to finally trade this vehicle in last month because the vehicle continued to need repairs.

Upper and lower ball joints were replaced twice. Also control arms, upper arms on booth sides were replaced twice since ownership of the vehicle. Replacement of tie rods were also made on vehicle.

Consumer complained about ball joints and tie rod problems. While pulling out of the driveway front right wheel came off the vehicle.

The upper ball joints, wheel bearing and tie rod needed to be replaced because they were loose, per dealership.

While driving at low speeds noise could be heard from the front end. Steering column shifted when accelerating and braking. All four ball joints were replaced along with the inner tie rods. But the noise could still be heard. The cause of the problem had not been determined.

Pe 03-032, front suspension/upper ball joints: consumer took vehicle to dealer for a new light switch and found that the upper and lower ball joints were worn out. Also, the inner tie rods needed to be replaced the dealer refused to replace the ball joints free of charge.

Consumer called complaining about having problems with the upper bolt joints. He was aware of the new investigation. Manufacturer was contacted, and stated that they had no recalls. There was continued squeaking in the front end. Sway bar and tie rods were replaced.