2005 Dodge Dakota: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Dec 28, 2018 · Suspension · 105,000 miles · WA

I took my 2005 dakota to repair shop because of clunking noise on front drivers side. Noise was heard when driving or rocking the truck when it was parked. Repair shop said lower ball joint completely failed and was riding on lower control arm instead of supported by ball joint. Upper ball joint was also bad. Passenger side upper ball joint worn out and lower ball joint boot was cracked. All tie rod ends also needed to be replaced.

Filed Oct 27, 2018 · Steering, Suspension · RI

Hello, I recently purchased a one owner 2005 dodge dakota, which has less than 35,000 miles and has been very well maintained. The car fax came back clean for accidents etc, but I have found, that both the front and rear sections of the chassis had to be replaced on driver and passenger sides and most of the front suspension had to be replaced too. Due to excessive deep rust. To the point of the nut holding the left outer tie rod end disintegrated. The straight side rails of the chassis are excessively deep rusted. As well as the oil pan and rear axle housing (which are original). The dealership had to cut off the front suspension components and replace all bushings and most of the front suspension components. Due to excessive rust and wear. My truck has barely been on the road for its year and has had minimal exposure to road chemicals such as salt etc. These components rotting away to this extent with such low mileage regardless of age indicates the use of poor quality materials being used during assembly and posing a potential safety issue to consumers. I opened a case# 57271603 with chrysler and the agent told, that even if the case was moved up for review . It would be sent back due to the age of the truck . Which I disagree with, as the front suspension components should not have rotted and disintegrated so badly and the chassis should not have had to have extensive repairs in less than 35,000 miles. I would think, that this poses a potential safety issue for anyone buying trucks using the same chassis and components from the same vendor, if they are not manufactured at a dodge plant. Ultimately it should be the car manufacturer's responsibility, that the parts they are using are quality and will not pose potential safety risk to consumers . Please let me know, if further information etc. Is needed. Thank you

Filed Sep 4, 2017 · Suspension · 50,000 miles · IL

Around 50,000 miles upper and lower ball joints making popping sounds. Took to local repair shop . Replaced all 4 , then popping stopped. Way to early for ball joint replacement. Occured while moving 5 MPH and turning either direction.

Filed Mar 4, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 77,105 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 dodge dakota. While driving at low speeds down a mountain, the front driver side wheel detached from the vehicle while braking. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the driver side tie rod and hub assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,105.

Filed Jul 28, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 12,400 miles · GA

Issue I am fighting now. At speeds between 55 - 75 intermittently the truck will begin to vibrate. If you take your foot off the gas it gets worse. If you then apply the brakes the steering wheel begins to shake almost violently, and the brake pedal pulses. If I slow down to about 30 MPH it stops and may happen again quickly or may not happen again for a while. I have replaced the rotors and calipers and tie rod ends and gotten an alignment. Still the issue exists. I have new michelin tires. I have also already had to replace lower ball joints and front wheel bearings. I have replaced the rotors and calipers 3 times already on this truck. It has less than 13000 miles on it. No one seems to be able to figure out what the problem is. I will never, ever buy another chrysler / dodge product. This was my first and will be my last.

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 65,000 miles · OH

I bought this 2005 dakota new. I have spent thousands in repairs and there is always something wrong with it. I've also never seen anything rust like this truck. This particular issue I am fighting now. At speeds between 55 - 75 intermittently the truck will begin to vibrate. If you take your foot off the gas it gets worse. If you then apply the brakes the steering wheel begins to shake almost violently, and the brake pedal pulses. If I slow down to about 30 MPH it stops and may happen again quickly or may not happen again for a while. I have replaced the rotors and calipers and tie rod ends and gotten an alignment. Still the issue exists. I have new michelin tires. I have also already had to replace lower ball joints and front wheel bearings. I have replaced the rotors and calipers 3 times already on this truck. It has less than 65k miles on it. No one seems to be able to figure out what the problem is. I will never, ever buy another chrysler / dodge product. This was my first and will be my last.

Filed Aug 1, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 45,122 miles · IL

Loud noise whenever turning - tech found upper ball joint very dry, also found sway bar links worn - replaced left upper ball joint and both sway bar links.

Filed Aug 1, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 59,072 miles · IL

Low noise in front while turning - dealership verified complaint and found both outer tire rod ends to be loose and left lower ball joint to be noisy - replaced both outer tire rod ends and set toe also replaced the left lower ball joint.

Filed Aug 1, 2013 · Suspension · 87,070 miles · IL

Loud clunking noise while turning, stopping or even getting into truck diagnosis found lower right ball joints loose - recommended replacing. I have not done this yet - if you look at my history, I have had my local dodge dealer make the repairs to the front ball joints previously at 45,120 miles and 59,072 miles. Chrysler recalled 2000-2003 dodge dakotas stating that "excessive wear of the upper ball joint may cause the front wheel to separate from the vehicle and result in loss of control" in the same recall they also stated' " water may enter into the front suspension upper ball joints and cause corrosion and premature wear."

Filed Apr 11, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 61,000 miles · NE

Have had to replace tie rod ends,sway bar link rods,and now lower control arms to keep the truck safely on the road. The dealer says this is normal. I have never had to replace these items on a vehicle with less than 100000 miles.

Filed Oct 10, 2012 · Suspension · 30,000 miles · MI

In october of 2010, I was driving out of a driveway onto a main street making a right turn when I heard a metal snapping sound. As I continued to drive, I felt some slack in the steering when I made a turn afterwards. I inspected the suspenion system several times in the next week but didn't see the cause. Later I found the front sway bar link broke apart where it attached to the sway bar. I didn't see this on earlier inspections because the 2 parts came together when static to conceal the break. I purchased a replacement kit and replaced both right and left side sway bar links myself. (damaged parts still available) in the early part of 2011, I began to hear creaking noise from the suspension system as I drove and on turns. I inspected the system several times and concluded that 1 or more of the ball joints were dry and needed grease. The ball joints had no fittings to apply grease so a needle valve was used to inject grease into the boots. This helped for a short period but the creaking came back a few months later. I sent this vehicle into the repair shop and they said the lower ball joints were dry and had excess side play. They recommended replacement for safety and alignment concerns at less than 40000 miles. I am very concerned that these suspension parts are failing far too soon. The consumer has no way to add grease to these parts and must rely on the original parts being properly lubricated to have reasonable durablity. Failures at this early stage indicates defective parts and processes that must be addressed asap. Needless to say, I will be forced to have these parts repaired for safety concerns and a high cost to the vehicle owner. These parts should be required to last longer than the short period I have experienced on this vehicle.

Filed Feb 2, 2012 · Suspension · 50,000 miles · IA

Tl*the contact owns 2005 dodge dakota. The contact stated that a loud squeaky noise was heard while driving at various speeds. The contact inspected the vehicle and stated that the front ball joints were loose. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance because the vehicle was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 56,000.