Hey my first post here on the forum so bare with the typo's..lol..I just bought a 1987 dakota with only 84,000 miles. Everything seems to be ok exept when i am giving it gas going down the hiway it sounds like a loud whining coming from something in the front end but i dont think it's a wheel bearing or anything like that because it won't do it unless you have your foot on the pedel and as soon as you let off the petal it's gone..To give you an idea it sound like a loud tire noise or the way a wheel bearing going south would. But would either make it do it only when giving it some fuel?Thank's in advance btw it's a 3.9 with the 3 speed auto..While i am at it how do you adjust the linkage from the throttle body to the tranny?Mine shifts from first to 3rd before you get to 10mph..any idea's

 

It would make sense that it was a bearing to me. if you give the pickup some gas and start accelerating, the two front wheels start spinning up as well to match that speed adding stress on the bearing. They may be in the begining stages of failure. You might double check to make sure that they are in good shape and well packed with grease.

I dont want to tell you wrong about the linkage adjustment. But my all save is the haynes manual I bought for my pickup. They are like 15 or 20 bucks but pay for themselves quickly.

 

I agree, as for the linkage, I thought you could just adjust it at the throttle body, fore or aft, at least you can on the newer 1st gens

 

I could almost guarantee that noise you have is your bearings, because I'm experiencing the exact same thing with my 96 as well. Mine starts to get real loud if you get it out on the highway doing 65-70+. I took it to a mechanic and he told me my bearings are starting to go bad, but I didn't have to worry about them immediately. I don't think he actually got it on the highway though, and I certainly don't think he had it over 65 mph. If he did, he probably would have told me replace the whole darn front end right now. lol. What I do want to ask while I'm here though is if anyone knows how much it would cost to replace the bearings on one of our trucks? I know I took it to a mechanic and asked him to pack my bearings, and he said they're a different kind that can't be packed for the 96 model. I would appreciate any kind of a guesstimate. Thanks!

 

ive had the same prob. does it do it if your in neutral and rev it. if so it might be head noise, thats what mine turned out to be