John, thanks for the good info. I haven't had my Dak long enough (5,000
mi.) to notice any deterioration yet. I did bookmark the site, though, and
will certainly keep it for reference. I looked around some too, and found
the site quite interesting. I do hope that everyone who was having ball
joint problems will check in.
I always wonder when a contact is made like this, do you think that Kyle may
drive a Dak? If you are out there hanging around, come on in and join us!
Cal Hyer
----- Original Message -----
From: John Neff <jndneff@texas.net>
To: Dakota Mailing List <dakota-truck@buffnet.net>; Dodge Truck Mailing List
<DiRT@rubicon.off-road.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2000 6:18 PM
Subject: DML: PLEASE READ Fw: Dodge Dakota Ball Joints
> All,
> Below is an email I received from a Kyle Bowker who works for the NHTSA.
He
> is doing a fact finding mission into premature ball joint wear with the
> hopes of finding someone who's joints have failed. I urge everyone who has
a
> 97+ Dakota or Durango to email or call this guy ASAP. Let's get the ball
> rolling into making DC get us some better front suspension components.
>
> John
> 98 Dak 4X4 CC, Sport, 5.2L, Auto, Mopar headers, F&B TB, DDBC, DML
sticker,
> mostly rebuilt front suspension.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Bowker, Kyle <NHTSA> <Kyle.Bowker@nhtsa.dot.gov>
> To: IPM Return requested (Receipt notification requested)
> <jndneff@texas.NET>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2000 7:05 PM
> Subject: Dodge Dakota Ball Joints
>
>
> I found your thread regarding the front suspension on your Dodge Dakota at
> the
> Dakota Mailing List Archives
> (http://www.cs.fredonia.edu/~stei0302/WWW/DAKOTA
> /ARCHIVES/9905/0800.html). It turns out that you have already filed a
> complai
> nt with the NHTSA. My name is Kyle Bowker and I work in the Office Of
> Defects
> Investigation in NHTSA at the Department of Transportation. I have seen
> seve
> ral complaints dealing with the issue of premature ball joint failure. I
am
> c
> urrently doing follow up reports on Dodge Dakota/Durango VOQ's to see if a
> tre
> nd is developing. If we can get the right kind of evidence the NHTSA will
> ope
> n up an investigation that can lead to a recall on the part(s).
> Unfortunately
> , although the part in question is wearing out far too quickly, it will be
> ver
> y difficult to push this issue much further without some hard evidence
> (broken
> parts, accident reports, etc.). I was hoping you know of people
> experiencing
> similar problems on their 1997-1998 Dodge Dakota/Durango's. If so,
please
> as
> k them to fill out an online VOQ at www.nhtsa.dot.gov or call the DOT
safety
> h
> otline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT and be as specific about the incident(s) as
> possibl
> e. What we've seen so far is a progressive worsensing or wearing out of
the
> b
> all joint. As far as doing a recall, the problem isn't a serious safety
> issue
> until a catastrophic (sudden) failure occurs or there is a motor vehicle
> acci
> dent as far as the manufacturers and the government are concerned. If you
> can
> provide any help or know of any who can, I can be reached at
>
> (202)366-2748
> FAX (202)366-1767
> coop5@nhtsa.dot.gov
>
>
> Kyle Bowker
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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