Universal Joints - Dodge Dakota Forum

Subject: Universal Joints
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My truck is making a squeaking sound, from the front end. I got my Dad to ride with me and he figures it's the universal joints.

What's the best way to check if they're shot? If I put it on jackstands, would the joints feel rough when I spin the front end?

Also, what kinda money, just in parts are these gonna run me?
Thanks

Kowalski
GenIII

11/08/2006
10:24:02

RE: Universal Joints
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It's fairly common for the anti-sway bar ends to make a squeeking noise in our trucks, while I'd expect more of a clicking noise, or even a loud clunk as they get worse, from a bad u-joint; especially when first going into gear. Is that more like what you are trying to describe ?

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Trevor
Dodge Dakota
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11/08/2006
16:25:36

RE: Universal Joints
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It does have a clunk going into gear, I thought was mostly from the tranny and diff. This is a noticeable squeaking sound, and seems to change with speed, as you speed up, the number of squeaks/time interval increases.

It doesn't seem to do it after I've driven the truck for a while, and it doesn't do it just because I'm going over bumps....I'm on my way out to check things out now

Thanks

Kowalski
GenIII

11/08/2006
17:35:42

RE: Universal Joints
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Might be squeeking from grease gone out of the joint then, if you're lucky the clunk is from a u-joint, rather than tranny or diff - which would be more serious.

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Trevor
Dodge Dakota
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11/08/2006
18:28:22

RE: Universal Joints
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Well, I put the back end of the truck up in the air, turned the drive shaft in neutral, and the universal joints seem fine, the most play in it seems to come from the transfer case, but my Dad says that play is normal. Then I put the front end up too, and those joints seem fine...so I'm at a loss as to what it is.

I just put grease in the ones in the back, when I changed the oil, only like 500km ago...the front ones are sealed.

Thanks alot for your help Kowalski

OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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11/08/2006
20:28:47

RE: Universal Joints
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Sometimes you have to look real close while slowly moving the shaft back and forth and also side ways inline with the joint arms. If it is a universal joint and you are hearing increased squacking speed, how often does it squack compared to the tire rotation. If it's a universal joint it will squack just over 3 times each tire revalution. Now if by chance it is once per revalutionof the tire, Start looking for a bad wheel bearing.

Trevor
Dodge Dakota
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11/08/2006
22:04:04

RE: Universal Joints
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The squeaking goes away after a certain speed, it seems to happen most around 10km/h. My Dad looked at them, and he said they are worn, but are not worn to the point of squeaking. He said if it was a universal joint, we'd be replacing them in a month or so, so I'm going to keep watching it, and not start chucking parts into it.

The wheel bearing is a good idea, I never thought of that. Thanks for your help

By the way, it's a 99 Dakota SLT 3.9 4x4 with just over 200,000km

mike ferguson
Dodge Dakota
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