I recently scored a 2000 Durango 4x4 to pull my Camaro with for a really good price, but I think I know why the price was so good. There is something wrong with the front end. I'm a little in the dark with knowing what is wrong by only knowing the systoms, I hope this makes sense. The steering seems to be tight, but when you hit a bump at speeds of 30 mph and faster the front end jerks a little bit to one side or the other and you can feel it in the steering wheel. It's more of a problem at highway speeds especially if you hit a bump while cornering. Sometimes it feels like there is a little wobble with the tires when you hit the bump. The steering just doesn't feel right when you get up to about 75 mph, the steering wheel seems to have a slight rocking motion to it. There are 53,000 miles on the vehicle. Bad shocks? Ball joints? Any idea's?

Have you tried balancing the tires?

I had a 97 Dakota and they are built on the same platform. My suggestion? Replace the ball joints ASAP. They are junk. It is a known problem.

Read this:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/03/eveningnews/main603833.shtml

I have not tried balancing the tires. The wobble I feel when I hit the bumps goes away after a second or two and the rocking motion in the steering wheel around 75 mph is to slow to be a balance issue, I think.

When mine started acting up, I took it to get the fron end aligned and they told me that they could not because the joints were so bad. :eek:

rs1968ss- Thanks for the article on the ball joints. I'll look into replacing them asap, hopefully before anything happens. I think I'll also replace the front shocks while I'm in there.

Be safe. Maybe I'll see you this Saturday? I'll be in Des Moines at Hawkeye Camaro Fest. Looks like it will be a pretty good show.
Check here:
http://www.midiowacamaroclub.com/

Look, don't laugh... but is the sway bar missing?

Randy has some good thoughts on the vehicle but also look at this recall, Not related to your problem but just the same make sure it was taken care of.

Make: DODGE
Model: DURANGO
Year: 2002
Recall Number: 04V216000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER INTRUSION THAT COULD CAUSE INTERNAL CORROSION AND RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPING CAPABILITY.
Consequence:
DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Notes:
DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. D22. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Lots of info about the problem on www.dodgedakotas.com (http://www.dodgedakotas.com)

Check the ball joints real quick.

I've got a 2001 Dakota, but no symptoms yet.