Ask the Car People.SM


Dodge Dakota rear-end noise

51 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2010 at 3:34 PM

You are in the Dodge Dakota-2010 and older Forum.

What is this discussion about? Dodge Dakota, Suspension, Truck

Messages Page 2 of 5

#11 of 51 Re: Rear end noise? [dustyk] by fawlrud

Jun 03, 2007 (11:28 pm)

Replying to: dustyk (Feb 10, 2007 12:38 pm)
I have been trying to figure out what is wrong with the rear-end of my 03 Dakota 4.7L 4x4 QuadCab for 4 years.
 
3 years ago - took in to dealer and they replaced rear-diff pinion gears and ring gear after hearing the noise; that fixed the problem for a while
 
2 years ago - same drill, same result
 
1 year ago - jackass technician told me a TSB was out calling for owners to drown out the sound with radio to determine if noise is just normal = BS
 
now, the noise occurs as usual. Here is a description:
 
Audible from driver's seat and while sitting in the rear passengers' part of the cab
 
45-60 mph noticeable whining/ringing only when gas pedal is pushed, when engine is not under any load, noise ceases
 
as best i can tell, the noise does come from the rear end
guesses as to what it is:
1. ring gear, pinion gear in rear diff
2. driveshaft and rear axle, esp. rear diff housing, are not set up in line
3. u-joint has been suggested but i know very little about u-joints except that they creak when going bad
4. wheel bearing
5. fuel pump
6. it's not the damn tires
7. ghosts
8. Dodge's infamous transmission
 
anyone have any ideas as to how to diagnose the problem? short of making a long stethoscope, i am certain that if i take the truck in, the dealer will say something to the effect of "duh..." and attempt a fix. I'm at 68400 mi, with a 100k mi/2009 extended warranty that covers these sorts of things when the 7/70 powertrain goes out.
 
If anybody knows how to fix the problem and can outline how and I can get a dealer to fix it using your guidelines, I will send you $50; that is how annoying the whine/ring is, and, most importantly, I know that this ringing/whinging is a harbinger for impending mechanical doom/wallet rape.
 
thank you

#12 of 51 Re: Rear end noise? [fawlrud] by dustyk

Jun 24, 2007 (6:05 pm)

Replying to: fawlrud (Jun 03, 2007 11:28 pm)
It's probably a pinion bearing.
 
Dusty

#13 of 51 Re: rear-end high pitched whining noise [blk4x4] by snotrag16

Jul 02, 2007 (8:10 pm)

Replying to: blk4x4 (Mar 10, 2007 1:34 am)
My 94 Dakota has a whirrling sound that is coming from a bad bearing in the rear diff. Even though the sound is coming from the rear diff, it does sound like its coming from the front diff.

#14 of 51 REDLINE QUESTION?? by 99dktaguy

Jul 20, 2007 (2:11 pm)

i have a 99 dakota 3.9 and online specs it says 175 hp 4800 rpm but it redlines at 4700. and i seen that in more than 4 diff websites.

#15 of 51 limited-slip differential failure by davec5

Aug 15, 2007 (5:35 pm)

The 9.25” limited-slip differential in my wife’s 2002 Dodge Dakota crew cab failed after components of the differential disintegrated at about 75,000 miles. It’s a daily driver and my wife has never abused this truck.
 
This failure could have resulted in a catastrophic failure if a very slight noise had not developed during parking lot turns. A quick Google of this problem resulted in numerous antidotal reports of this problem including catastrophic failures at highway speeds.
 
I am having the dodge components replaced with an Auburn unit so this doesn’t happen again.

#16 of 51 Re: whining noise [dustyk] by sirbigins

Aug 15, 2007 (6:08 pm)

Replying to: dustyk (Mar 20, 2007 6:34 pm)
I had a whining noise took truck it was the rear pinion bearing cost 250.00 for the bearing and 200.00 labor

#17 of 51 Re: limited-slip differential failure [davec5] by dustyk

Aug 15, 2007 (6:20 pm)

Replying to: davec5 (Aug 15, 2007 5:35 pm)
Did you ever drain and refill the differential lubricant and add the friction modifier additive?
 
Regards,
Dusty

#19 of 51 Re: limited-slip differential failure [dustyk] by davec5

Sep 12, 2007 (4:42 pm)

Replying to: dustyk (Aug 15, 2007 6:20 pm)
The rear end has been serviced as recommended by Dodge. I've got great pictures of parts in the bottom of the rear end when the rear cover was pulled.
 
PS: Dodge would not pay one cent of the costs.

#20 of 51 Re: limited-slip differential failure [davec5] by dustyk

Sep 13, 2007 (5:43 pm)

Replying to: davec5 (Sep 12, 2007 4:42 pm)
Yeah, unfortunately not an uncommon problem with the American Axle supplied rears. Usually the proper maintenance prevents failure prior to 125,000 miles or so. I've seen them go much longer though, in fact an acquaintance has a 2000 with 166K and still fine.
 
The somewhat common complete failure is the C-clips breaking (or C-locks as Chrysler calls them) and the pieces chewing up a gear, or noise caused by pinion bearings wearing prematurely.
 
Noise complaints are the most common. I'm not sure but my guess is poor assembly at American Axle. More seem to go forever without making noise so I suspect it's not a component quality issue.
 
Chrysler finally got tired or got the point regarding their differential assemblies and is building a new facility dedicated to making their own axles once again. It will also be their own design and reported to be quieter and less friction than current designs. I think they'll be available on the 2008 RAMs. Hopefully the Daks will get the new rears.
 
Best regards,
Dusty

Messages Page 2 of 5

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement