How to Replace Upper Ball Joints on a Dodge Dakota & Durango

[@richardmunn8903]

Great video, short and to the point. I have seen others take everything apart just to do this ball joint. Yours is the easiest. Thanks

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you Richard. I'm glad you liked it and found it helpful 👍 😊

[@johnstone6675]

Best and most useful video I have seen on my 03 Dakota. I have looked at many......

[@hrisbudgell4265]

I just bought a 2003 Dakota 2x4 v6 that spent its life in Canada from the start. Original owner rust proofed every year and washed it two to three times a week all year around. The frame/body is immaculate and the engine is running strong. It drives better than most 2015 cars I’ve been in. Plus I only paid $450.00. Ebrake is seized, passenger front upper ball joint has slight play but it’s far from being bad, and the coolant temp sensor is bad by only reading 1/4 when at operating temp. I had a shop look at it to safety it and told me the issues with the ebrake and upper ball joint. Though they told me they are not replaceable and I need a full upper control arm. I’ve worked on cars and trucks most my life, never a dodge so I took his word for it. Brought it home and saw it was rivited and figured I’d just get an upper control arm. Well a 300 dollar arm vs a ball joint is quite a bit. This video was all I needed to know and your other videos as well has helped me big time. I’ve had a few Mazda b2200’s and such and wondered if I could adjust torsion arms to lower it and flip the axle. All videos you’ve showed I can. You’re a saint and you’re to the point. I subbed and I’m going to be watching every single video. I also appreciate that you’ve linked Amazon parts cause I’m going to use it as well. If I’m doing the pass front upper ball joint and grinding it off so it can be nut and bolt, I’m just going to do drivers side as well. Thanks a million!

[@martinbuilt]

Wow, $450 you stole that truck. Thank you. I appreciate the kind words I'm glad you liked and found the content helpful. Thank you for watching and subscribing.

[@christophermckay961]

You're my go to Dakota repair man I just did all front suspension on my 03 stampede 👍

[@andreynikyak]

Thank you Martin. Helpful videos saved me lots of money and time. I own 2002 Dackota and 2000 Laredo as far as Chrysler made. On time maintenance is the key. Please, keep going with your public education.

[@mobius-1503]

Love the chrysler dakota/durango coverage you do

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you, there is more to come. 🤔

[@matthewmeneou7430]

Hey Martin! Just picked up a 2000 Dakota RT. Thanks for the videos bud! Your awesome!

[@martinbuilt]

You are welcome, congrats on 2000 Dak RT.🙂👍

[@haniajlouni6396]

Thanks Mr Martin...you are the best..... jordan 👍👍👍👍👍👍🖐️

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you, I appreciate that!😊

[@chouston8042]

my 98 4 x 4, upper right arm bushings and ball joint totally shot after 190,000 would not align, was able to remove and replac elast week. Had to borrow a 24 in breaker bar and a couple of large sockets from my neighbor, so basic hand tools and a good 35.00 hyd. bottle jack helps speed the project. Estimate from local shop was 500 so I saved over 350.00 and got a better control arm as well.

[@martinbuilt]

Glad you got it handled and saved yourself a lot of money. well done.

[@Tycheon]

Cool vids, Martin. Been years since I saw you last and was going through my subscriptions on youtube, channel has grown quite a bit. Congrats and props on the hard work it took. Just wanted to say hey and hope you're doing well.

[@martinbuilt]

Hi Dan, it has been years. Hope you and your family are doing well. I'm doing well, been shopping for a new place with a much larger garage.

[@Artlopez105]

Awesome 👌 work can you explain how to use the tourqe wrench i have to do my front suspension and I need to learn that... your very informative and you explain things very clearly thank you.

[@brianhobby4559]

Just grinded the rivets off on top ball joint then punched them out easy 98 Dakota 5.2 4x4 now notice that the holes are much bigger that my replacement top ball joints holes I mean allot bigger!!! My bolts are way to small they fit my ball joints but are too small for the holes now. I got rock auto ball joints I see you got moog. SO will they fit better are they manufactured with bigger holes/bolts? Looks like Im screwed. HELP...lol...

[@danhambrick6331]

Nice job Martin👍👍

[@martinbuilt]

Thank you, Dan 😊

[@stillnotwoke]

On '05 and up Dakotas they have coilovers (struts) and to change the upper ball joints you have to replace the whole arm. Ask me how I know...

[@chriswilliams2652]

@stillnotwoke ( nice moniker) Never go woke😁, thanks for your reply, I figured as much but didn't see it on Google for sure. You answered my question. God Bless

[@PhillyDee215]

Good ole Dodge😎

[@oldcarjunky]

I need to change the engine in daughter's Dakota 2002 .? Can a weekend mechanic inclined dad do this in the driveway and should I pull engine and trany out together and should I remove core support that unfolds it looks like it is a 4.7 v8

[@martinbuilt]

yeah, you could change the engine over a weekend. I would just pull the engine, separate at the trans. I would remove the radiator and core support over the radiator to make the job easier.

[@huf67]

I just drilled the heads off of the rivets on my Durango and then punched out the remainder. Seemed easier than a grinder to me.

[@martinbuilt]

That works too.👍

[@62ejo]

Thxs Martin,Your dakota is 1st generation,I see there is no sturts on the front?? My 06 dakota 2whdr has sturts in the front...?

[@mobius-1503]

Hmmm. Might be Torsion bars. Mine has torsions on them

[@Kolonol1]

No his is 2nd gen...1st gen was square body

[@martinbuilt]

yeah the 1st generation was 1987-1996 and the 2nd was 97-04, Ed you have a 3rd gen.

[@brianhobby4559]

AWWW heck I figured it out I gotta buy the whole A arm /ball joint for a 98....yours is a 2000 ..nevermind! lol

[@martinbuilt]

Your truck is the same generation as the one I have should be the exact same thing unless you have a two-wheel drive perhaps.

[@brianhobby4559]

Well I looked at some different bolt on top ball joints they all have too small bolts I will take a video of it tomorrow showing the problem more in detail its a head scratcher.... It does look like your moog ball joints might have bigger bolts/holes maybe....BUT I did go ahead and just ordered new A arms/ball joints no big deal.

[@brianhobby4559]

Oh and yea its a 4x4 5.2@@martinbuilt