falling wheels

[BSowers]

I just heard on the news that there might be a problem with D' trucks loosing wheels? :--)

Supposedly DC issued this

Has anyone else heard of this?

 

[coolky]

The recall is for 2000-2003 dakotas and durangos. Supposedly the upper ball joint separates causing the suspension to collapse, which causes the wheel to fall off.

 

[BSowers]

ahhhh found it. pheeeew This involves 2000-2003 dakotas and durango's

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/12/10/national0827EST0490.DTL

 

[BSowers]

OK coolky. I owe you a coke.

 

[rbattelle]

From the article:



"Gates said a vehicle owner would hear noise coming from the vehicle well before the upper ball joint failed. Mechanics also will find out if an upper ball joint needs to be repaired during routine maintenance, Gates said. "



The mechanic will find it... right. This despite being able to bring in a vehicle with death wobble or severe vibrations above 70 MPH and the dealer "cannot duplicate problem".



-Ryan

 

[DPelletier]

From the article:



"Gates said a vehicle owner would hear noise coming from the vehicle well before the upper ball joint failed. Mechanics also will find out if an upper ball joint needs to be repaired during routine maintenance, Gates said. "



The mechanic will find it... right. This despite being able to bring in a vehicle with death wobble or severe vibrations above 70 MPH and the dealer "cannot duplicate problem".



-Ryan

Ye of little faith! :-laf :-laf



Dave

 

[rbattelle]

I know... I didn't mean to sound quite so cynical. All dealers aren't like this, I just thought it was funny all the people who come back from the dealer with "cannot duplicate". No offense to any DC service writers, technicians, or anyone else out there.

Also, for the record, I don't have DW or any severe vibrations... those were just the best examples I could come up with at the moment.

-Ryan

 

[pwerwagn]

My fiance just purchased a 98 Durango. In consumer reports, the number one complaint was ball joint failure. I wonder why the 98-99 were not included in on this? or is there only a 4 year recall period? Her D only has 70K on the clock and the driver upper balljoint already is makin noise.



--Jeff

 

[coolky]

OK coolky. I owe you a coke.

How about a pepsi?

 

[rbattelle]

Does Moog make an improved ball joint for the affected trucks? In my experience, they're pretty good about making improved better-quality chassis components that fix problems from OEM.



-Ryan