Steering Tie Rod Assembly problems of the 2000 Dodge Stratus

Front passenger tie rod on 2000 Dodge keeps breaking. Have replaced tie rod 4 times, but 2 separate mechanics are telling us that the only reason that tie rods would break repeatedly is because of a defective ball joint. Tie rod has snapped next to ball joint every time. It is already cracked and about to break again. It has resulted in several near accidents for us and once being stranded at a gas station an hour from home. The last time it broke was November 2009. The ball joint is the original that came on the car.

While backing into a parking lot, a loud snapping noise was heard from the driver side front wheel. Upon hearing this noise, the vehicle was unable to move more than a few feet, but was able to be partially parked in the parking spot. Once parked and investigated, the tie rod assembly detached from the driver side front wheel. Car had to be towed; tow truck driver was able to move/drag vehicle approximately 10 feet onto flatbed tow truck. Left outer tie rod was replaced and vehicle front end was realigned.

Contact owns a 2000 Dodge Stratus. The incident happened on September 28, 2005. Front end tie rod ends came apart from the wheel. Had no warnings signs that anything was wrong with the vehicle. Contact's 171/2 year old daughter went to pick up a friend, while pulling out from driveway the tie rod ends broke . As she was pulling out a friend's father heard the noise of the tie rod end breaking . He checked the vehicle, and told her what was wrong with it. Vehicle was towed to contact's home. In the meantime contact found part available at advance automobile, and contact's husband fixed the tie rod ends. No crashes. No police reports. No fires.