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Gilberttribe
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2004
19:57:05
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 Subject: Front end noise over bumps
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I have a 2002 QC 4x4 with 18K miles. I hear a noise from the front end that sounds like a scrunch (for lack of a better word) when driving over bumps. It will happen when driving at any speed if the front end dips as would happen when driving out of a driveway onto the street. I haven't checked to see if I hear the sound if I jump on the front bumper, but I think I would. It doesn't seem to be related to turning, so I don't think it is ball joints. Any suggestions? I'll try to narrow it down tonight.
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martin
Dodge Dakota
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3/03/2004
20:15:17
|  RE: Front end noise over bumps
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Walk up to the truck and rock the truck when it's just sitting still-if it squeaks and squalks-have them check the balljoints.
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Todd
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2004
00:03:33
| RE: Front end noise over bumps
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Could also be sway bar bushings, they can make a kind of deep squeaking noise when the front suspension compresses, they can be lubricated to stop it
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Mark
Forum Moderator
3/04/2004
00:09:50
| RE: Front end noise over bumps
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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/03/eveningnews/main603833.shtml
-Mark Hryckiewicz
1993 Sport RC SB 5.2L Auto
Mark.DodgeDakotas.com
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2004
10:17:56
| RE: Front end noise over bumps
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I'd put my money on the sway bar end bushings. I have to grease mine every so often to prevent that. Make sure you use the special synthetic grease for poly bushings.
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Gilberttribe
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2004
11:37:36
| RE: Front end noise over bumps
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Rocking the front end does cause the deep squeaking noise from somewhere near the driver's side wheel well. I'll try lubricating the sway bar end bushings before taking it to the dealership. Thank you for all the help.
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jaggy
GenIII
3/04/2004
12:30:01
| RE: Front end noise over bumps
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I have had some experience with the sway bar issue myself. The best way I can descrbe the symptom is when you hit a bump or dip and are turning slightly you will hear and feel a clunk. you can feel it in the gas pedal and floor board.
If it is just a squeek then lube is all you need, but you get the "clunk" then your sway bar is actually shifted to one side. Take a look under the fron end and you will see how the swaybar is attached. the end links are hollow to allow the sway bar to move. The clunk is actually where the curve of the swaybar is making contact with the bracket or frame. If you drop the swaybar then you will probalbly see rust spots an the swaybar where it has made contact. Try loosening the the bushings and centering your front sway bar, I bet the clunk goes away... if not then you know its not the sway bar and you can feel more justified having a shop check out your ball joints.
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Jim
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2004
17:42:25
| RE: Front end noise over bumps
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Message:
Yesterday I had the passenger side upper ball joint replaced on my 2002 QC with only 31,000
on it. It made the same noise as you described
starting at around 25000 miles. I decided to
get the front end aligned at a local Firestone
dealer and they told me the ball joint was bad.
I then went to my dealer and to their credit took care of it and re-aligned the front end. My advise to you is get it checked out while under warranty ASAP.
Good Luck...
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chris s
Dodge Dakota
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3/08/2004
21:19:13
|  RE: Front end noise over bumps
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is it a clunk or rattle? clunk- ball joints rattle sway bar just had that happen to me
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Gilberttribe
Dodge Dakota
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3/09/2004
14:32:37
|  RE: Front end noise over bumps
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Thanks to everyone for your replies.
The sound is close to clunk and not a rattle. It isn't quite a clunk either because it almost sounds like clunk plus the noise you would hear when you adjust your butt in a leather seat -- short in duration.
I haven't heard the sound for a couple of days now. I still plan to take it in and get it checked since nothing looks out of the ordinary to me, but I'm not a mechanic or even a shade tree mechanic.
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QCMemphis
Dodge Dakota
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3/09/2004
19:04:20
| RE: Front end noise over bumps
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Please update here when you find out. I'm having a similar noise when hitting bumps or dips when slightly turning. It happens when the front end is lightly rocking back and forth, so I'll check the sway bar as recommended above.
Thanks.
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Dirk
Dodge Dakota
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3/10/2004
00:04:36
| RE: Front end noise over bumps
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I have had the same problem coming out of the left front of my 2000 4X4. Almost sounds like a bad shock, or loose shock, but everything checks out tight. Rattles and clunks on small choppy bumps especially when turning at medium speed. Of course the dealer can't hear anything. What should I make them check when I'm in this week? It's very frustrating.
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JRod
Dodge Dakota
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3/10/2004
14:39:20
| RE: Front end noise over bumps
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Same issue. I had my ball joints (upr and lwr) replaced about 2 months ago with MOOG's. I developed a new popping noise and a bad squeak over the last week. I thought it was my struts but now I'm hoping its the sway bars squeaking.
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/11/2004
01:17:36
| RE: Front end noise over bumps
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Here's what's been replaced so far on my 2000 CC Dak with 116K miles;
shocks
upper ball joints
lower ball joints
outer tie rod ends
front wheel hub bearings
The wheel hub bearings weren't bad but it was making noise since the hub nut was backed off. Looked at the bearings once they were out and they looked fine, probably could have re-torqued the bearing and stopped the noise from the wheel bearing.
After all of this stuff you would think that the front end would sound tight, NOPE! I noticed that the right inner tie rod was shot causing a rattle/rumble noise over rough pavement. Going to replace the inner tie rods now.
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QCMemphis
Dodge Dakota
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4/13/2004
12:06:31
| RE: Front end noise over bumps
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For anybody still interested, my noises are gone. Dealer replaced both upper ball joints this weekend. I took it in because I noticed that the rubber boot on one of them was split open, and they ended up replacing both. Noises gone, and I didn't even realize how loose the handling was until now. They drilled the rivets out and bolted on new ones, so at least I can do it next time if past warranty! Good luck.
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RMorgan
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2016
10:33:37
|  RE: Front end noise over bumps
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Message:
right side only replaced upper ball joint. Noise when away for one week then came back. Everything has been greased Replaced sway bar links. still have noise ???
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Blaine Schlei
Dodge Dakota
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10/25/2020
13:32:19
| RE: Front end noise over bumps
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Message:
I have noticed these are old posts, nevertheless I
recently purchased a 2006 Dakota crew cab 4wd. Only
80,000 miles and cosmetically and merchantly very
good condition. The week I bought it I hit a pothole
on our camp road and it now has the clunk in front
end on bumpy roads. Have had it looked at and lower
ball joints replace and front end alignment. 3 shops
looked at it and can find nothing. thinking about
your suggestion on sway bar bushings. they look and
feel very hard. any additional advise would be
greatly appreciated.
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