Recall for Defective Upper Ball Joint in 2000 Dakota 4WD V8-47L VIN N (D47)
Replace Upper Ball Joints
1.
Raise the vehicle on an appropriate hoist.
2.
Remove the front wheel and tire assemblies.
3.
Position a hydraulic jack under the left side lower control arm and raise the jack to unload the rebound bumper.
4.
Remove the cotter pin from the upper ball joint castle nut.
5.
Remove the upper ball joint castle nut from the upper ball joint stud.
6.
Using a die grinder equipped with a cut-off wheel, grind an "X" through each of the three upper ball joint rivet heads (Figure 1).
CAUTION:
Do not grind into the control arm.
7.
Using an air chisel, chisel the three rivet heads off of the upper ball joint.
8.
Punch out the rivets using a drift and hammer.
9.
Separate the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle with special tool MB991113.
10.
Remove and discard the old ball joint.
