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deaver
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/03/2005
17:15:26
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 Subject: Balljoint
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Message:
So a couple of months ago i heard a weird noise coming from my front end, I described it as a "knock while turning" to my dealer. they road tested it and could not hear anything. they also checked for any loose parts, lubed radias right and left side lower control arms. Anyway they charged me $64.09. Now I have an appointment to get the Balljoints (upper) changed as per the recall. I'm curious if i could get a refund for this previous visit as the recall info describes a clunking noise. Any suggestions before I try to fight with some body either the dealer or DC. Also I always thought that u needed an alignment when replacing balljoints, they say u don't and that one is not covered under the recall anyway. I have a 2001 4.7L V8 4X4 sport plus patriot blue pearlcoat. Any hints here would be appreciated.
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JasonB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/03/2005
17:28:44
|  RE: Balljoint
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Message:
Your dealer is REQUIRED to set the toe, but not a complete alignment.
The last 3 lines of the RECALL procedure are:
19. Lower the vehicle from the hoist.
20. Place the vehicle on an alignment rack.
21. Install the wheel alignment equipment onto the vehicle per alignment equipment
manufacturer’s instructions and set toe to + 0.10º (± 0.06º).
As far as getting a refund of your $64, good luck. If there is no evidence that this described noise was related to ball joint failure, the dealership (unless they have a big heart) will most likely decline a refund. DC will only reimburse for replacement of the B'Joints.
By the way, your dealership is ripping you off if they charge that much $$$$$ for a "no problem found".
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Joe X
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/03/2005
18:03:51
| RE: Balljoint
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Message:
Hey JasonB.
If the upper control arms must be removed for this ball joint change-out (don't know for sure), doesn't the camber and caster also need to be reset? After looking real close at my front suspension (4x4), removing the control arm is gonna require resetting everything, because of the way its assembled. And I would think the Dodge Service Dept would be the best place to do that while it's on the alignment rack.
Also, where can we (owners) read the entire text of this ball joint recall?
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JasonB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/03/2005
18:08:35
| RE: Balljoint
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Message:
Joe X
The control arms are not removed to do this service.
A link to a PDF version of the recall was posted by someone a few days ago on this site. Search the site, you should find it within the posts of the last 10 days or so (I think).
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Joe X
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/03/2005
18:17:02
| RE: Balljoint
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Message:
Thanks, Jason.
That clears things up.
I guess I missed that recall text post.
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Kowalski
GenIII
1/04/2005
18:35:26
| RE: Balljoint
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Message:
Joe X - Dealership is not necessarily best place for an alignment - look for a good experienced alignment guy and stick with him. Not saying dealership won't be a good place; but there's a lot of alignment people out there who don't have a great grip on what they're doing.
Jason B - great job sharing the inside scoop you give us - mine's in for the free new ball joints Friday.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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JasonB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/04/2005
23:15:07
| RE: Balljoint
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Message:
^5s Kowalski
The dealerships are required (in case of an audit by DC) to attach a printed copy of the post-recall toe settings onto the repair order. If your dealership does this, they should have it handy to show you the specs and settings. They might even, if you request, make a photocopy. I tell you this only to let you know that if they improperly set the toe or neglect to set the toe, DC could choose to NOT PAY the dealership for what they did not do. Most likely, the dealership will get it right if DC is paying the bill.
On a side note...On the second day we were doing these recalls, a not-so-educated man and his wife dropped off their Durango to have us perform the recall. They had called previously and set up a time and I remember him asking if the alignment was included. I told him no, but that a toe adjustment IS included. When they dropped off the vehicle (lifted 4 inches with a small set of brand new BFG's on it) he asked again about the alignment....again I repeated the same about the toe adjustments. About an hour after they left, he called and asked again about the alignment and again I repeated the same response, but now I am becoming suspicious. Later, when I called to tell them it was ready for pick up...you guessed it...he asked again and I repeated the exact same response and am beginning to wonder WTF is he up to. When they picked it up, I was out to luch so I missed being able to talk with them. An hour after I returned from lunch, he called and immediately began cursing about his steering pulling hard to the right and a vibration over 35 mph and blamed it on us. He'll be bringing it in soon for me to recheck the toe and inspect the installation of the bjoints, but I think this guy is looking for us to correct something his lift kit f'ed up. I can't wait for this arguement. I knew the guy was up to smething.
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deaver
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/04/2005
23:31:12
| RE: Balljoint
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Message:
jason, what is the difference between an alighnment and a "TOE" ?
thanks
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deaver
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/04/2005
23:38:59
| RE: Balljoint
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oh, also what do u drive? any pics
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JasonB
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/05/2005
08:40:27
| RE: Balljoint
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I drive a 1999 Dakota CC 2WD.
Setting the toe is one part of an alignment. Other settings include caster and camber adjustments.
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