Is it easy to replace Durango ball joints?

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Av - 19 Jun 2007 23:38 GMT

1999 Durango 5.9L

I had the wheels aligned recently because they felt odd, and the
mechanic said that the upper and lower ball joints, front AND back need
to be replaced. Quoted price, almost $5000.
That price included control arms and many, many hours of labor.
Something didn't seem to add up there.

I see that I can get the ball joints for about $35 each. I'm not sure
why I'd need a control arm too?

Could someone enlighten me please?
Is this something I could do in a weekend, or something that I should
definitely shell out $1000+ for professional labor?

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maxpower - 19 Jun 2007 23:41 GMT

> 1999 Durango 5.9L
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Is this something I could do in a weekend, or something that I should
> definitely shell out $1000+ for professional labor?

Not a truck Mechanic but if I were you I would get a second opinion, 5K is
to much money for that kind of job. how many miles on this truck?

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

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Av - 20 Jun 2007 03:47 GMT

> Not a truck Mechanic but if I were you I would get a second opinion, 5K is
> to much money for that kind of job. how many miles on this truck?

Just over 100k. It's otherwise in pretty good shape.

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miles - 20 Jun 2007 01:27 GMT

> Is this something I could do in a weekend, or something that I should
> definitely shell out $1000+ for professional labor?

Wasn't it the ball joints that were part of a recall on 1998-2003
Dakotas and Durangos? You might check and get it done for free.

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Av - 20 Jun 2007 03:48 GMT

> Wasn't it the ball joints that were part of a recall on 1998-2003
> Dakotas and Durangos? You might check and get it done for free.

Te recall was only for 2000-2003 iirc :-( Not the 1998/9's.

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Abby.Normal - 20 Jun 2007 02:03 GMT

that could be a little high for that. Especially since I don't think the
rear has ball joints. That frame is a Dakota frame from what I could tell
just looking at it from a distance. I replaced the ball joints on both my
older Dakotas at $65 ea. + sales tax, after market - (Moog). I did the work
myself at about an hour labor each. I also replaced the upper control arm
bushings at about $10 each control arm. It did cost me an alignment
afterward. When a shop replaces the ball joints they don't usually. They
replace the control arms and that are more expensive and more labor
intensive.

Since I don't think the rear even has control arms then $5000 may be a good
price to have the rear end completely redesigned to install them.

> 1999 Durango 5.9L
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Is this something I could do in a weekend, or something that I should
> definitely shell out $1000+ for professional labor?

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daytripper - 20 Jun 2007 02:38 GMT

>that could be a little high for that. Especially since I don't think the
>rear has ball joints. That frame is a Dakota frame from what I could tell
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>Since I don't think the rear even has control arms then $5000 may be a good
>price to have the rear end completely redesigned to install them.

ahahahahahaha! :-)

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Marcus - 23 Jun 2007 21:28 GMT

LOL you truly are abbynormal! :D Yeah, ball joints on
leaf-spring/solid-axle rear suspension, who woulda thunk it? What would
ball joints back there do? Just go along for the ride? They'd sure never
wear out....

> that could be a little high for that. Especially since I don't think the
> rear has ball joints. That frame is a Dakota frame from what I could tell
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>> Is this something I could do in a weekend, or something that I should
>> definitely shell out $1000+ for professional labor?

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