dodge dakota problem

41 cal

Hey guys, I've got a problem thought I would ask for ideas on diaging it. About 4 months ago I noticed a humming noise from the truck,could really here it at 50 mph when I turned the wheel a little to the left it would go away then straighten wheel out noise would return.I talked to a couple mechanics they thought it was the drivers side front hub.So I replaced that and the noise was still there.Thinking the noise was there all along (now has 130,000 miles,bought it new) as I tend to have the radio pretty loud,I kept driving to see what would happen.the noise seemed to get a little louder and decided to take it to the dodge dealer for diag.The tech there showed me on the rack that the front axle cv boot was gone and the drivers side halfaxle was bad and ther was the noise. Well I had the axle repaired(300.00$) and replaced the halhaxle myself...noise still there.yesterday it seemed to get alot louder now I'm afraid something may break and I don't want to kill anybody if a wheel falls off or something locks up while driving.Does any body have ideas or suggestions on best way to really diag this.I'm thinking of taking truck back to dealer but I'm not sure they can diag this any better?truck is a dodge dakota 03 4x4 with both chunks positrac. thanks jeff

ghostsniper1

How does the tire tread look? Choppy tires can mimick wheel bearings to an extent.

41 cal

tires are fairly new I forgot to mention rotate was the first thing I did.Just got back from a visit to the FWC'syouth camp and at 52 mph it's worrisome loud.I also can hear the noise and feel a vibration starting at @ 12 mph.

dlk

When you say you replaced the hub, do you mean the wheel bearings? That would be where I'd start. They will get really really loud and wobble like crazy before they actually go out.

BTW...This thread is aptly named IMHO...You have a dodge? That's the problem.:tooth:

steffen19k

Ok, I have a 2000 GMC Sonoma, 170ish K miles on it.

I've been through wheel bearings and ball joints on it. I can pretty much tell you that the wheel bearings I've had to replace created a very distinct hum when they die, on par with a giant bumblebee.

And (in my experience) when a wheel bearing dies, there is a "Cross noise" where the bad bearing is actually opposite of where the sound seems to be coming from (IE if the sound is on the right side, check the left bearing)

The other thing is that (dependent on a great many factors, so I defer to a mechanics diagnosis) if its a transfer case going bad, it may result in the damage you were shown on the hoist.

The other option for CV boot and half shaft damage is that you also may have a bad front differential, sometimes caused by locking up the 4WD at highway speeds in dry road conditions.

I'm pretty sure I'm wrong. But at the same time, I'm also kind of inclined to believe I might be right...

I defer to anyone with more experience on the matter.

Vic's Viewpoint

Ask Teach. He's got one with a bazillion miles on it. I'm sure he can help you.

41 cal

I was kinda hoping for more crossover noise votes with some good way to verify,it could be described as a bumblebee noise.When the technician was looking at the noise he suggested pulling front cover of front differential checking that and replacing fluid so I also had him do that.So far after jacking up truck all wheels seem tight with no play.I was hoping Teach would give his opinion . I believe the driveshaft boot got torn when I got stuck in the middle of a georgia corn field that was gumbo clay saturated with small rocks,truck would sink and bottom out was a big mess !

steffen19k

41 cal wrote: »

.So far after jacking up truck all wheels seem tight with no play... I believe the driveshaft boot got torn when I got stuck in the middle of a georgia corn field that was gumbo clay saturated with small rocks,truck would sink and bottom out was a big mess !

There really wasn't a lot of play in my wheels when the bearings went bad, either. The ball joints, on the other hand, caused the truck to get really sloppy in any turn from 5 mph up to taking a broad sweeping interstate curve.

One thing you can try to get a vague (VAGUE) idea of how bad the bearings might be is having a friend drive the truck around, while you stand outside it.

There might be a squeal or shrieking noise that sounds like either a bad brake or a slipping belt.

Which, if my memory is any good, indicates that the bearing is worn out enough to be wobbling on the shaft, but not enough to bind the wheel...yet.

And Red Clay is the devil. I'm amazed that all you lost was a CV boot.

41 cal

I like the idea of driving by/around someone standing to see if they can help locate actual source thanks

jbp-ohio

Only car I ever replaced wheel bearings on was a 84 Cutlass. I jacked the car up and spun the wheel by hand and you could hear and feel they weren't spinning free.....

Teach

I assume you don't have disconnector hubs? Is the 4WD full time or can you select between rear drive and 4WD? If you can run the axles independent of each other, try jacking up the rear and "drive" it to see if the noise is present with only the rear axle turning. Also, you could run the truck on a lift and check out wheel bearings, differential bearings, etc. with a stethoscope to see if you can isolate the noise to a particular location. Try draining the lube from both differentials and check for a silvery appearance thay would indicate metal contamination from a failed bearing. Does the noise chsnge pitch from a pull to a coast to a "float" where you're neither accelerating nor coasting? If so, you've probably got a pinion gear bearing failing in one of the differentials.
Jerry

41 cal

Thanks Teach good questions.It is selectable 2-4h-4l so I will jack up rear and check for noise as I have heard of cases where the sound actually came from rear even though as driving it seems to be from front.The tech said both differentials were good (he did drain and replace front fluid),and I assume he did the stethoscope thing although he did not tell me he did that.The noise doesn't change pitch even from a pull to coast tp appling brakes . I can hear it start at @ 12mph on up loudest seems to be 52 mph.

Teach

A constant noise that doesn't change under load/no load conditions that's speed-related can be either wheel bearings (front or rear) or "carrier bearings" in the differential that support the ring gear carrier. While you've got the axle jacked up and running, also check out other possible noise sources such as the transfer case and the driveline universal joints. You can simulate an uphill load by applying a little parking brake pressure, but don't overheat the brakes by running it too long that way. Good luck!
Jerry

41 cal

I think I forgot to post update but I took it to a real good friend told him what I had replaced and we took th e truck for a short drive immediately he says it's definately a bearing. We get back to the shop and he says lets try something and gets a floor jack.Well he jacks up right front and tells me to spin the tire as fast as I can he feels around and says switch places and feel the upper conrtol arm,I do and as he's spinning the wheel I can feel vibration. we do the same for the other side no vibration.Note the noise as driving SEEMED to be left side,so I replaced the right hub/bearing now all is good.I'm dissappointed the dealership didn't really verify the problem but hey I have a good front end now so alls well. Lesson learned noise can travel.