On Wednesday 10 November 2010 06:58:07 you wrote:
> If there is no detectable play in the joints they're fine. The fact
> that your uppers are bolt in indicates they have been replaced at least
> once.
Confirmed this with Dodge on the phone today. The uppers were replaced under
the recall in September 2005.
> They come riveted from the factory. However, I'm going to guess
> that there is no zerk fitting on the replaced ones so they could be dead
> again.
Yeah, they're the standard non-greasable upper ball joints.
> Being a 2 wd guy I'm not entirely sure on this but I think the bolt in
> lowers for the 4x4s actually thread into the lower control arm using
> some insanely large socket or box wrench.
NAPA part number NCP 2601541 claims to be a bolt in lower ball joint for a 4WD
2001 Dakota. It looks almost like the uppers, with three bolts and a tab off
to one side.
NAPA part number NCP 2601535 is the press in lower ball joint that looks like
it's actually the right replacement part.
> My vote is the shop was thinking you were a girlie man and decided it
> was time to make the next payment on that ice fishing shack
A few phone calls were made today. If I have to take it in, I at least like to
be educated as to what needs to be done, why, and if possible how. I got
estimates of $1800, $1000, and $600. All three are ASE certified mechanics,
include both upper and lower ball joints (greasable, quality parts, brand name
not currently known), shocks (going with Monroe Reflex), and alignment.
$1800 is from the tyres place. $1000 is from a local shop I've never dealt
with, but is close to where I work. $600 is a local small shop that's close to
my house and that I've used a dozen times or so in the past, they've done good
work for me before, and I like the guy that runs it. That it's also the least
expensive is a bonus.
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