there are no grease fittings that i can find on the front end. anybody got any ideas? besides get used to it?
2006-08-09 12:06:38 · 7 answers · asked by narcolepticcats 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Dodge
Without actually being able to hear the noise, my guess is your problem is the sway-bar bushings (although DO check the ball-joints). Dakotas' are quite famous for this. If you can jounce the front of the vehicle up and down and hear the squeak, it's most likely the problem. If you are mechanically inclined, put the vehicle up on ramps ( the vehicle's weight MUST be on the tires!!) and unbolt the sway bar. Note, there are a couple nuts IN the front cross-member, so you'll need a fairly long 1/2" drive extension to reach them. Also, mark the bar so you don't install it upside down! Lube the inside of the new bushings with di-electric grease and reinstall the bar. This should cure your noise. If you have someone else do it, insist on the di-electric grease on the inside of the bushings. HTH!! Good Luck!!
2006-08-11 09:17:35 · answer #1 · answered by lugnutz59 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take your Dakota to your dealer and have them run the Vin #. I have heard of a recall on the Dakota 4by4's but i'm not sure if it is still in affect. Upper and lower ball joints are crap and they know it, just dont want do anything about it. I have a 2000 Dakota SLT and every time i backed up and turned the wheel left or right i would get a "popping "sound and the squeal noise drove me insane. I replace them my self with the Moog brand and i am here to tell you its the diffrence between night and day. These are bolt in's not big rivets or whatever they (Dodge) use, AND they have grease fittings!!. There is a small amount of prepp work, mainly drilling out the old ones then Carefully redrilling them to fit the Moogs. If you are not comfortable doing it your self then try a few shops, i prefer the Napa shops,they are few and far between but worth it.
2006-08-09 17:08:51 · answer #2 · answered by Gary C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be the bushings also, had to have mine replaced because of a power steering leak, drained right on em and made em into mush. But mine is a 2wd 98 dakota so your suspension will be a little different. Check to see if they are cracked, splitting, or mushy.
And also are you sure it's coming from the front? I found I am getting squeeks from the truck bed when I corner a little harder than normal or go over anything at an angle (like making a right turn into a driveway or parking lot when rear axle is uneven)
2006-08-09 12:20:32 · answer #3 · answered by malkier8567 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Replace the ball joints and tie rod ends with greasable ones.
Hold on to each component while someone caarefully turns the wheel with the engine off. You will feel a vibration from the ones that are squeeking. Replace these components.
2006-08-09 15:53:29 · answer #4 · answered by race21 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my 2000 durango has the same prob. and the owners manual talks about greasing the ball joints but i dont see the little nipples
2006-08-12 12:50:16 · answer #5 · answered by matt w 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check the upper and lower ball joint boots. Are they torn? grease coming out of it? Sounds like ball joints. 10 yrs. auto experience,2yrs. Certified Acura tech.
2006-08-09 12:12:47 · answer #6 · answered by FORDever 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
TURN UP THE RADIO. mechanics hate fixing stupid little noises that people complain about. your not going to die the truck is ok its just a stupid little squeak let it go.
2006-08-10 17:10:17 · answer #7 · answered by markmcd357 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋