THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON MY 1999 DODGE DAKOTA FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE TO SLAM VIOLENTLY TO THE GROUND. THE RACK AND PINION WAS DAMAGED AS A RESULT. STEERING ALIGNMENT WAS GREATLY AFFECTED AS WELL. FRONT BUMPER WAS ALSO DAMAGED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THESE BALL JOINTS ARE A GROWING CONCERN WITH DAKOTAS AND DURANGOS AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME ACTION TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. *LA