jacksonj@cyberramp.net wrote:
>
> Would like to hear from everyone who may be experiencing abnormal tire wear and
> otherproblems associated with the front suspension of the late series (97+) 2WD
> Dakota. I have one of the very first 1997 2WD Dakotas built, and it eats tires
> like they are make of butter. There are occasional sounds which can be heard
> emanating from the front end which are disconcerting. Sometimes the sound makes
> me think the coil springs are shifting, sometimes it sounds like loose (or worn
> out) wheel bearings, and other times maybe something from the brakes. Neither is
> the case, although the first report to the selling dealer led to their reinstalling
> the coil springs with new pads - didn't help. The vehicle has had 4 front end
> alignments (in 12,000 miles) to no avail - it is always within specs. Two
> different dealers and one Firestone store have worked on it. The stock tires were
> worn out at 5,000 miles (outer shoulder worn to the steel belt). I have called
> several Dodge dealers around San Jose and Dallas about this, and only one seems to
> have heard of or seen the problem, and all assure me there are no recalls or
> maintenance bulletins on the front end.
>
> A small town dealer near Dallas says that setting the toe-in to zero solves the
> problem. The jury’s still out. However, now that the toe is set to zero, the
> bump-steer is bad. I have been reading about the worn out upper arm assemblies
> some have experienced, but that hasn’t happened to me - at least not yet (12K miles).
> The computer printout provided by a Firestone dealer showed some rather severe
> negative camber settings (which are non-adjustable). I just remembered that the
> service writer at the selling dealer told me (in October 1996) that Dodge designed
> the new Dakota front suspension so it could be easily lowered 2" using a factory
> kit - that if I planned so to do, to wait for the factory parts (probably will be 3
> or 4 years before they are ready though if the MOPAR Performance parts schedule is
> any indication). Might explain the radical built-in camber setting.
>
> An article in the latest edition of Truckin' magazine (p38 April 98) says that
> Western Chassis is building a new upper arm for this truck - and reportedly the reason
> is to aid in properly lowering the truck PLUS to "allow the truck to be aligned
> decently with no bump-steer". Will try to call them next week to get the technical
> scoop.
>
> There is the impression that a number of folk are aware of this problem. I would
> like to hear if the problem that plagues my truck has been solved, and how. Lowering
> the truck has always been the plan, and doing it right is the only way to go, so I
> have high hopes for the Western Digital product. Until they are available, it would
> be great to save the tires!
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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> Please keep this in mind. Thank you! --Jaek (smit2204) and -Jon- (stei0302)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I had the camber bolts go loose on mine but it is a 4 wheel drive. Maybe
have them check that.
Dave
97 Dakota Sport
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