1998 Dodge Dakota Clunking while driving

SREDNAS

MEMBER
1998 DODGE DAKOTA
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
105,000 MILES

I just replaced tires that had uneven wear because I found out as I was having an alignment done that my ball joints were bad.

There was sqeaking in the suspension. I then replaced upper and lower ball joints and test drove. I now hear a clunking sound that was not present before. I almost sounds like rubbing, I checked for clearance and didn't see anything.

Could replacing the ball joints now expose bad CV jointss too? I looked at the drive axle when I had the steering knuckle off and they seemed fine. Any ideas?

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

CV joints usually click. As far as the noise you hear now, is it only over bumps?

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, November 8th, 2010 AT 1:00 PM

SREDNAS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

It does happen when I go over bumps. I first noticed it going up and down a hill during the test drive. It doesn't happen on tight turns only; wide turns too and driving straight. I took a passenger on the 2nd test drive and it didnt happen as much.

The only other thing I can think of is maybe I didn't torque the castle nuts tight enough?

The only thing that was different from textbook was the upper ball joints were factory rivited vs the after market parts which are bolted.