I OWN A 1997' DODGE DAKOTA V8 LONG BED STANDARD CAB PICK-UP WITH ONLY 32000 ORIGIONAL MILES. THE BALL JOINTS ARE BAD AND I HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. I WENT TO LOOK UP HOW TO REPLACE THEM AND DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD. SEARS MECHANICS WERE SUPRISED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE SO WORN WITH SO FEW MILES ON THE VEHICL…
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I OWN A 1997' DODGE DAKOTA V8 LONG BED STANDARD CAB PICK-UP WITH ONLY 32000 ORIGIONAL MILES. THE BALL JOINTS ARE BAD AND I HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. I WENT TO LOOK UP HOW TO REPLACE THEM AND DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD. SEARS MECHANICS WERE SUPRISED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE SO WORN WITH SO FEW MILES ON THE VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10052531
78,000 miles · Jan 5, 2004
SuspensionTires
THE FRONT TIRES EXPERIENCED UNEVEN TREAD WEAR. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM A FRONT END ALIGNMENT BECAUSE ALL 4 BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10053368
72,000 miles · Dec 29, 2003
Suspension
I HAD TO REPLACE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS IN MY 1997 DODGE DAKOTA @ 72,000 MILES. I BELIEVE THIS FAILURE WAS PREMATURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10051245
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2003
Suspension
MY 1997 DODGE DAKOTA HAS HAD TO HAVE BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED ON BOTH SIDES, TWICE SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN 1999. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10050911
80,000 miles · Dec 22, 2003
Suspension
FAILURE OF UPPER BALL JOINTS AT APPROX. 80000 MILES. FAILURE IDENTIFIED BECAUSE OFSEVERE FRONT TIRE WEAR. HAD UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT TIRE WEAR. TOOK TRUCK TO ANOTHER DEALER, AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT I HAD TO HAVE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED ALSO BECAUSE "YOU NEVER JUST REPLACE THE UPPER, YOU HA…
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FAILURE OF UPPER BALL JOINTS AT APPROX. 80000 MILES. FAILURE IDENTIFIED BECAUSE OFSEVERE FRONT TIRE WEAR. HAD UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT TIRE WEAR. TOOK TRUCK TO ANOTHER DEALER, AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT I HAD TO HAVE THE LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED ALSO BECAUSE "YOU NEVER JUST REPLACE THE UPPER, YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE LOWER ONE'S ALSO" THIS CORRECTED THE TIRE WEAR PROBLEMS. THE DATES ARE ESTIMATES, I WOULD HAVE TO SEARCH THRU MY RECORDS OR THE RECORDS OF THE DODGE DEALERS FOR EXACT DATES. I KEEP ALL THE PAPER WORK, SO A SEARCH IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. VIN IS AVAILABLE, I JUST DON'T HAVE IT HERE AT WORK.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10050908
35,000 miles · Dec 19, 2003
Suspension
VEHICLE VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT TWICE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10051845
60,000 miles · Dec 19, 2003
SeatsSuspension
REPLACE BOTH SIDES OF UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AT 60K AND 120K DESPITE USING THE BEST GREASE IN THEM SYNTHETIC. I'VE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SEAT BACK BEFORE SINCE NEW IT FALLS BACK. FRONT BUCKET. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10050754
41,439 miles · Dec 18, 2003
Suspension
LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLY AT 40000 MILES ALSO ALL RUBBER SEALS ON TOP AND ON ALL STEERING ARMS ARE GONE, TRUCK HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THEY WOULD ONLY REPLY THE LOWER JOINTS BECAUSE THEY WERE READY TO FAIL, WARRANTY COMPANY WOULD NOT REPLACE UPPER BALL JOINTS OR ANY OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE DRY AND…
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LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD TO BE REPLY AT 40000 MILES ALSO ALL RUBBER SEALS ON TOP AND ON ALL STEERING ARMS ARE GONE, TRUCK HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THEY WOULD ONLY REPLY THE LOWER JOINTS BECAUSE THEY WERE READY TO FAIL, WARRANTY COMPANY WOULD NOT REPLACE UPPER BALL JOINTS OR ANY OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE DRY AND WILL PROBABLY FAIL WITH-IN THE NEXT 5000 MILES/ TRUCK HAD ONLY 100 MILES LEFT ON WARRANTY... ALSO HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE CATALITIC CONVERTER REPL 3 TIMES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10050744
39,000 miles · Nov 12, 2003
Suspension
WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS ON OUR '97 DODGE DAKOTA AFTER 49,000 MILES BECAUSE IT BECAME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE OUR TRUCK. THIS ALSO AFFECTED THE WEAR OF OUR TIRES WHICH WE HAD TO REPLACE AT THE SAME TIME. ALSO, THE BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED RIGHT, THEY WERE REPLACED AT JUST OVER 30,000 MILES. WE WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED …
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WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS ON OUR '97 DODGE DAKOTA AFTER 49,000 MILES BECAUSE IT BECAME DANGEROUS TO DRIVE OUR TRUCK. THIS ALSO AFFECTED THE WEAR OF OUR TIRES WHICH WE HAD TO REPLACE AT THE SAME TIME. ALSO, THE BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED RIGHT, THEY WERE REPLACED AT JUST OVER 30,000 MILES. WE WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS WE HAD REPLACED. IDEALLY, WE'D LIKE TO ALSO BE COMPENSATED FOR THE PREMATURE WEAR ON THE TIRES, BUT REALIZE THAT MIGHT BE ASKING TOO MUCH. HOW DO WE FIND OUT HOW TO BECOME PART OF THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST DAIMLER-CHRYSLER? (IT WAS STILL DODGE WHEN WE BOUGHT THE DAKOTA) FORTUNATELY, MY HUSBAND WAS AWARE OF THE DANGER THE BALL JOINTS CREATED AND WE HAD THEM REPLACED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HELP! THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10046789
30,000 miles · Nov 9, 2003
EquipmentSuspension
1997 DODGE DAKOTA, VIN#[XXX]: DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 8000 MILES. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED @ 30,000MI, BUT NOT DONE UNTIL 55,668MI. 2ND SET WORE BEYOND .19" 8000MI LATER. LITHIA DODGE'S REMARKS: NOT LIFE THREATENING, JUST KEEP THEM GREASED.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF IN…
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1997 DODGE DAKOTA, VIN#[XXX]: DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 8000 MILES. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED @ 30,000MI, BUT NOT DONE UNTIL 55,668MI. 2ND SET WORE BEYOND .19" 8000MI LATER. LITHIA DODGE'S REMARKS: NOT LIFE THREATENING, JUST KEEP THEM GREASED.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL COULD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE COVER AND HOUSING. NOTE: THE RAM PICKUP TRUCKS WERE BUILT AT THE WARREN ASSEMBLY PLANT ("S" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 16, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; ST. LOUIS NORTH ASSEMBLY PLANT ("J" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 19, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; LAGO ALBERTO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("M" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000; AND SALTILLO ASSEMBLY PLANT ("G" IN THE 11TH VIN POSITION) FROM MAY 23, 2000 THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2000. IMPORTANT: VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROPER CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. IN ADDITION, 1997-2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS RECALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE MATERIAL COULD INTERFERE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING RIBBON AND CAUSE AN OPEN CIRCUIT. THE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL BECOME DISABLED, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 18, 2001. ALSO SOME 1997-200 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES THAT, ACCORDING TO WARRANTY RECORDS, HAVE HAD A SUSPECT REPLACEMENT CLOCKSPRING INSTALLED, WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS BUILT WITH 2.5L ENGINES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PUNCTURE OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE TUBE CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE FRONT WHEELS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE FOR WEAR. IF WEAR IS EVIDENT, THE BRAKE TUBE AND/OR POWER STEERING HOSE WILL BE REPLACED. A POWER STEERING STANDOFF BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND POWER STEERING HOSE IS MAINTAINED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE VENT HOSE AND THE BRAKE HOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A PUNCTURE IN THE REAR BRAKE HOSE WILL RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE AT THE REAR WHEELS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE HOSE FOR EVIDENCE OF WEAR. WORN BRAKE HOSES WILL BE REPLACED. THE REAR VENT HOSE WILL BE SHORTENED BY 3 INCHES AND A CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ASSURE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AXLE VENT LINE AND BRAKE HOSE IS MAINTAINED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS WITH A 131 INCH WHEELBASE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FUEL LINE AND THE CAB UNDERBODY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONTACT CAN RESULT IN WEAR, AND AFTER EXTENDED CONTACT, COULD CAUSE A PERFORATION IN THE FUEL LINE, RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PROPER CLEARANCE. FUEL LINES THAT EXHIBIT INADEQUATE CLEARANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REDESIGNED FUEL LINE THAT WILL ASSURE PROPER CLEARANCE.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Suspension
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front:control Arm
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Arm
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) IS RECALLING THE TARGET POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 600,000 MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 DURANGO AND DAKOTA VEHICLES WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE JOINT INTEGRITY CONCERNS AND HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED JOINT RETENTION CAPACITY (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-596).THOUGH DCC DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE.BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF SEPARATION INCIDENTS IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
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