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Topic
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1998 Dodge Dakota 2WD
While making low speed (15-25MPH) sharp, left hand turns, I’m noticing strange noises which appear to be coming from the rear end of my truck. This does NOT happen while making Right turns…. ONLY left turns.
It appears the LR wheel is binding up and the tire is skipping (not turning smoothly) during the turn. Going straight ahead, there is no noticeable noises coming from the rearend.
I don’t know what type rear end (Posi-traction…Traction Lock…Limited slip or whatever Dodge calls theirs) in back there.
What’s going on back there ?
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If you think the tire is binding check the shackles that hold the leaf springs. On a left turn the vehicle sways to the right so look at the passenger side too. Good luck.
Noise turning one way usually indicates a bad wheel bearing or side bearing. A skipping tire is usually due to a limited slip differential needing friction modifier added to the differential oil. Did you change rear differential lube recently? There should be a tag affixed in the glove box indicating whether the vehicle has a limited slip differential or not. Usually if the differential binds it binds when turning either direction.
[quote=”barneyb” post=121973]Noise turning one way usually indicates a bad wheel bearing or side bearing. A skipping tire is usually due to a limited slip differential needing friction modifier added to the differential oil.
Did you change rear differential lube recently?
Usually if the differential binds it binds when turning either direction.[/quote]I just bought the truck a month ago. Nothing has been done to the rear differential since I’ve owned it.
I’ve read that too if the differential is binding or needing more friction additive added, it would happen while turning in EITHER direction, not just one direction like my truck is doing.
Why is this happening on one side only and only when making a sharp left hand turn at low speed ???
Try jacking up the rear of the truck and spin the wheels by hand
to see if you can hear the noise.Also give them a good shake.http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/diagnosing-noises-in-your-car
An easy thing to try would be to stop by Chrysler and buy a small bottle of friction modifier. Adding that to the differential might solve the problem. If not, then move on to bigger issues.
I would first look at the rear brakes. Especially in your case, since you only hear it when turning in one direction, that would be a prime suspect in my opinion. If you don’t find anything there, I would change the differential fluid just for good measure. After all, it really can’t hurt.
More info here
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/diagnosing-noises-in-your-car
Keep us posted.
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=122217]I would first look at the rear brakes. Especially in your case, since you only hear it when turning in one direction, that would be a prime suspect in my opinion. If you don’t find anything there, I would change the differential fluid just for good measure. After all, it really can’t hurt.
More info here
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/diagnosing-noises-in-your-car
Keep us posted.[/quote]Roger that.
I’ll report back here what I find out.
Welcome to the club.
Should you go to Dodge forums, you’ll see abundance of folks that have exactly same issue. Including a buddy of mine, who does have Dakota with ONE SIDE ONLY low speed IN TURNS grind from the rear. Bought truck like this, has truck for few years by now, just quit paying attention to this. His son owns repair shop and dealership, so they had that vehicle scoped all through. Can’t find anything wrong with it.
Every time he’s leaving my driveway, I give him hard time, he just giggles. :whistle:[quote=”ukrkoz” post=122244]Welcome to the club.
Should you go to Dodge forums, you’ll see abundance of folks that have exactly same issue. Including a buddy of mine, who does have Dakota with ONE SIDE ONLY low speed IN TURNS grind from the rear. Bought truck like this, has truck for few years by now, just quit paying attention to this. His son owns repair shop and dealership, so they had that vehicle scoped all through. Can’t find anything wrong with it.
Every time he’s leaving my driveway, I give him hard time, he just giggles. :whistle:[/quote]Yup, I’m on the DodgeForum.com as well. Post this there too. Not much input…yet.Anyways, I just got back from taking the truck to a local shop to have it checked out.
All the brakes checked out A-ok.
Nothing mechanical found with the rear end (externally). No loose axle bearings, pinion bearing all ok.
Fluid level appeared to be ok, BUT the mechanic did find the differential was full of FOAM. He speculated the differential fluid ‘may’ have been driven while it was low. He said the truck would need to sit for a day or two for the foam to subside to get an accurate check of the fluid level. ….Mmmm….Ok…. ??
If in fact the fluid is (was) Low at some point this still begs the question as to WHY there is only grinding noise coming on LEFT turns ONLY. Why not when turning in EITHER direction ?
They wanted $120 to change out the differential fluid. Yea… OK… :rolleyes: They also wanted $259 to replace an outer tie rod (part included). Ya want cash ? Not in this lifetime! LMAO!
Anyways, since this is a backup/beater truck and not a daily driver, I’m going to change out the differential fluid myself in the springtime.
Any other ideas ?
TIA
That doesn’t make sense to me. gear oil shouldn’t foam low or otherwise. I suggest you change it now. Who knows what somebody could have put in there.
If you want to do the job right pull the cover and clean the magnet too.
[quote=”barneyb” post=122333]That doesn’t make sense to me. gear oil shouldn’t foam low or otherwise. I suggest you change it now. Who knows what somebody could have put in there.
If you want to do the job right pull the cover and clean the magnet too.[/quote]I hear ya.
I don’t have access to a heater garage and don’t drive the truck much so we’ll see.
[quote=”Labrat0116″ post=122382][quote=”barneyb” post=122333]That doesn’t make sense to me. gear oil shouldn’t foam low or otherwise. I suggest you change it now. Who knows what somebody could have put in there.
If you want to do the job right pull the cover and clean the magnet too.[/quote]I hear ya.
I don’t have access to a heater garage and don’t drive the truck much so we’ll see.[/quote]
Yeah, I’ve got an engine to pull and even though I have a heated shop, heating it the amount of time to do this job would be expensive. So, I’m thinking of piddling away the winter ordering parts and starting work when the Robins arrive.
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