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97 Dodge Dakota - left rear axle problem
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slade25
User
Mar 16, 2009, 2:36 PM
Post #1 of 2
(2690 views)
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97 Dodge Dakota - left rear axle problem
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1997 Dakota 6 cyl 3.9 litre automatic, 2 wheel drive.
In the past few weeks i've been noticing a shimmying or vibration coming on.
I thought it may have been from the front end but it turns out it's a rear end problem.
I took it into a garage today for an assessment - this problem wasn't their expertise area but they told me:
- absolutely no problem area(s) in the front end
- in their opinion (after taking off rear wheels/brake drum and having a good look about that,
it looks like either the LR axle could be bent, it could be a bearing related problem, movement at
the slip joint (side to side) oe even a bent drive shaft.
Does anyone have any experience in this area ? I will probably have to take it to the Dodge dealership to get a definitive assessment but thought I'd put this out there and see what responses I might get.
Symptoms: when driving at medium speed it feels like I'm on rocks all the time, kind of bumpy and vibrating. Higher speeds it smoothes out somewhat. Now, at the slower speeds the vibration has crept in as well.
Would appreciate any help or suggestions anyone can pass along. Also, possible replacement parts would be a help, as it looks possible that I may have an axle job upcoming ?
thanks,
Steve
email: slade25@hotmail.com
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 16, 2009, 4:15 PM
Post #2 of 2
(2687 views)
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Re: 97 Dodge Dakota - left rear axle problem
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It's possible that the axle flange could be bent from, maybe, hitting a curb; But, that would give you an obvious tire wobble, side to side that should be able to be seen with the naked eye while spinning the tire. A wheel bearing (normally) would give you a 'grinding' or 'growling' noise, mainly going around corners or at a steady speed. Inward/outward play in the axle itself (about 1/8") is somewhat normal. Any more than that would be extreme. From your description of the symptoms, you may want to check the tires for abnormalities, such as a broken belt, and the front and rear u-joints.
PS. Post the Windstar problem seperately, under electrical and wiring. Thanks.
Loren
SW Washington
(This post was edited by Loren Champlain Sr on Mar 16, 2009, 4:18 PM)
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