Walking back to my parked "98 dodge dakota, after dining out with family, I noticed that my front passenger side wheel was cock-eyed while the driver's side wheel was pointing straight. I had the local dodge dealer/service department check it out and they discovered that 3 out of 4 ball joints were bad. The service manager said that it was a very dangerous situation and I shouldn't have been driving the vehicle. I was appalled to hear that since I had no indication that I or my passengers were in any danger: the truck never pulled to one side, and it didn't steer funny, or give me any reason to believe that something was so terribly wrong. The service manager urged me to replace all four ball joints, which I did at a cost of over $773.81. I think dodge needs to recall the '98 dakotas' ball joints. There's no reason a vehicle with only 73,000 miles on it should have 3 out of four ball joints go bad to the point that the wheels are coming off.
1998 Dodge Dakota suspension complaints
Page 2 of 8: complaints 11 to 40 of 217, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Ball joints failed, passengers side came loose and the wheel feel off and the transmisson had to be rebuilt due to cheap internal parts. But if you own a 98 dodge dakota have your ball joints checked they are a hazard and someone is going to get killed, if they already have not....
After reading about steering problems in dodge vehicles, I have hope you can help me. I purchased my '98 dodge dakota from 5 corners dodge at 1292 highway 143, cedarburg, wisconsin 53012. *09 dec '97 I took my truck in for "customer states that when making left hand turns there is s jarring that comes through the steering wheel" - replace intermediate shaft - n/c. *23 july '99 - "check noise at low speeds from drive train" - front propeller shaft ball socket insufficient lube noisy 16300100 driveline/propeller shafts, remove inspect wheels, brakes, universola, repair/lube front shaft ball socket joint and reinstall -n/c. *07 july 2003 - "grinding noise from drivers side front end area" - 2200 replace left front wheel bearing/hub assy, 219 replace upper and lower ball joints-both sides, 2wt 2 wheel truck alignment, 52165 test drive and insp replace failed lf bearing assy replace both upper ball joints replace both lower ball joints 2wheel truck align - $1095.12!!!! I brought attention to the problem from the beginning and by the time it was finally fixed, it was no longer under warranty. Can you help me, in any way? Thank you, don gruell.
I took my 1998 dodge dakota 4x4 in for a front end alignment and found out that all four front ball joints were bad. One side was very loose and was almost ready to break. I talked to several mechanics who said this is expected for any dakota of this era. I found out that the 2000 and above years have been recalled. Why aren't the 98's included in this, they have the same problem.
Dt: the consumer had a 98 dodge dakota, took to tire shop, truck could not be aligned because it had defective ball joints. Contact called the daimler chrysler, who informed him that there was no recall on this vehicle after repairs were done vehicle had steering problem. There was a noise in the steering column. Then, at repair shop owner was informed there was a defective steering gear, and would cost $800. Owner did not repair steering and vehicle veered to the right/left. Tire company stated the crown of the road caused vehicle to pull to the left/right. Tire shop indicated they could repair the problem,but there were 500 steering gears on back order. Owner felt there was a problem with the steering gear otherwise there wouldn't be 500 steering gears on back order.
Had to replace rack&pinion after only 35000 miles
Dt: the contact owns a 1998 dodge dakota. The front end upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. Chrysler said that there was no recall. *ak also front end was aligned and the brake front rotors had to be turned. *tt
Ii had noted a clunking sound when turning into my driveway and at other times involving turning or driving over speed bumps or turning up an incline, also the steering feel had become vague. During my annual state insp. The mech stated that the upper ball joints on both sides were complely worn out, and as such could not pass it without repair.
All 4 front ball joints failed at 86,000 miles
All 4 ball joints in front of vehicle have failed. Advised to not drive vehicle
1998 dodge dakota has upper and lower ball joints failing.*mr the vehicle was taken to service center to have front wheel alignment done. The technician noticed sever front tire wear and concluded that the front upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced.
While driving my 1998 dodge dakota at 55 MPH on the highway the front driver's side wheel bearing failed, causing the wheel to become separated from the bearing making control of the vehicle extremely difficult. The resulting damage required the axle, bearing, wheel, cv joint, cv boot, rotors and pads to be repaced for a cost of $2036. The truck only has 38,500 miles on it.
While driving 45 MPH front passenger wheel felk off. Driver pulled over, and the vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection. Mechanic determined that the upper and lower ball joints broke, and needed to be replaced.
Vehicle would vibrate and make a clanking noise while driving at any speed. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that the upper ball joint on the right side needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified, and informed the consumer that their vehicle was not covered under that recall. *ak *bf
On my 1998 dodge dakota I experienced a "klunking" sound in the front end. Found out at 84,000 miles that the ball joints were bad and contributed to wheel bearing and hub assembly problems. Repair bill was $738.95. I had the repair performed at my local dodge dealer "morgan dodge" in durham, nc. The dealership told me the repair was necessary and the vehicle was unsafe to drive without the repairs. The oem replacement parts are on national backorder and the dealership had to use aftermarket parts for the ball joints. I have contacted dodge and they said the vehicle is out of warranty and "is not subject to any recall" so they can not assist me.
Noise from front end, had checked out and mechanic found left side ball joints (upper and lower) were prematurely worn. I had them replaced at my expense. I saved the old parts. Now the passenger side nedds to be replaced. Again the dealer tells me the recall does not apply to my car.
I own a 1998 dodge dokota truck and had to have the ball joints replaced in november, 2003. I have heard they are recalling the dokota's starting in year 2000. What about the ones before that year. I have receipts where it cost me $753.71 to have this work done.
Consumer wants to know why the ball joint recall was not expanded to include 1998 dodge dakotas. *bf
Dodge dakota 1998 consumer replaced ball joints. *bf the consumer replaced the upper ball joints at 31000 miles and both the upper and lower ball joints at 43000 miles. The technician indicated that the lack of grease fittings on the original design created and excessive wear problem.
Owner of a 1998 dodge dakota reporting defective upper/lower ball joints and wheel bearing hub assemblies. *bf the faulty ball joints caused uneven and excessive tire wear.
When turning or driving at low speeds there was a dry shuttering noise in the front end. Took vehicle to dealership for inspection, and dealership indicated that the upper/lower ball joints were defective and needed to be replaced. Parts were replaced. Failure recurred 3 years later on upper ball joints only. *ak control arm, ball joint, and tie rods were replaced again at 136,807.
While pulling away from the gas pump consumer heard a loud noise and then the front right side of vehicle fell/dropped. Consumer was able to observe that the front right lower ball joint broke. Vehicle was towed to a repair shop, and mechanic confirmed that it was the lower ball joint. Also, the left lower ball joint needed to be replaced. Dealer was not notified.
(1) front end making a popping noise. When I turned. Truck was still under warranty dealership kept saying it was brake noise. (2)upper and lower ball joint failure, ball joints were rusted out, (3)all 4 ball joints replaced at my expense,when truck was barely out of warranty.
I heard a clicking noise from the front end and a low pitched growl fromn the rear end. I brought the vehicle into the dealer, who determined that at 35,428 miles theat it needed two upper ball joints and a new differential (rear end) . Vehicle is a 1998 dodge dakota 4wd.
Purchased truck in 1998 and in 2001 at 48000 miles had to replace upper and lower ball joints in the front end on both sides and I think I am going to have to replace them again and mileage is over 99000. I also made two other complaints for both front calipers seizing on this website. I would have made complaints sooner, but just found out about this site. I wanted to make complaints after hearing about the problems with the dodge dakota and durango model year 2000 and up with their ball joints.
While driving heard a loud squeaking noise. Driver noticed while turning the steering wheel a clanking noise would follow. Driver took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that upper ball joints needed needed to be replaced.
Left and right side upper and lower ball joints severely worn . Dust boots torn and no grease fittings (suppose to be lifetime lubricated). Replaced with after market ones with grease fittings. Vehicle only has 64,700 miles .
Upper ball joints prematurely worn out due to lubrication being washed out (same problem as detailed in the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v596000, but my vehicle is a 1998 model and this campaign is for 2000 and newer).
Popping sound was coming from left front of vehicle. Dealership found that upper and lower ball joints were bad and the vehicle could not be driven without immediate replacement. Had service work done for $1500. Considering the problem is obviously related to the same issue that sparked the recall notice in later model dakotas, I feel I should be reimbursed for the repairs.
Consumer noticed front tire on dakota was having alignment problems due to front ball joints. *bf the technician informed the consumer that the front ball joints were bad and needed to be replaced
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