NO: 99 w/ 44k miles; original ball joints and no drive issues ---- yet.
----- Original Message -----
From: "andy levy" <andylevy@yahoo.com>
To: <dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 12:06 PM
Subject: Re: DML: Durango Ball Joint complaint
>
> Michael Maskalans wrote:
> >
> >
> > On Wednesday, Jul 23, 2003, at 01:29 America/New_York, Gabriel A.
> > Couriel wrote:
> >
> >> my mom saw this on TV tonight. seems this ball joint issue has gotten
> >> serious.
> >>
> >> http://www.nbc6.net/automotive/2349258/detail.html
> >
> >
> > of course we know that Ds and Daks have the same front suspension. and
> > D owners know it. and DC knows it. but will the NHTSA care? Should
> > they care? Does anyone happen to know the axle weights on unladen Ds
> > versus Daks? I wouldn't doubt if the shorter wheel base and what I'd
> > bet is a heavier truck adds a few hundred pounds to the front suspension.
>
> The D is a lot more balanced than the Dak. While it's heavier, it's on
> a shorter wheelbase and it actually does have weight over the rear axle.
> My Dak is within I'd guess 300 pounds of my father's D, but he's got a
> far more balanced vehicle.
>
> Short version: I don't think the front end load is much different
> between the vehicles, unless you're comparing a D with a 360 to a Dak
> with a V6 and manual tranny.
>
> > Also, I'm far from an expert on failed ball joints, but I'd think if
> > they were loose enough to try and come apart, you *have* to be having
> > drivability issues. 10:1 those who had catastrophic failures were those
> > who pay no attention at all to the mechanics of their ride, and expect
> > it to get them from A to B for 4 years 'till they trade it in on
> > whatever the next fad vehicle is.
>
> Can't disagree. But balljoints should not be failing at the rate that
> Dak and D owners have been observing, regardless of the severity of the
> failure. Quick show of hands - how many Gen-III owners (2001 and older,
> 2002s and 2003s haven't been around long enough to fail yet) have *not*
> had to replace some number of balljoints? I replaced the uppers on my
> '99 (well, dealer did).
>
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