Hello this is my first post, I have a 1995 dakota 4x4 sport with the 318 and a 5 speed. the problem I have been having is whenever the rear tires break loose or I am turning sharp under accelleration there is a wicked clunking-grinding noise. I searched this forum for hours and heard of a few possibilities. I just changed the diff fluid and it looked great inside. The transmission shifts good. I read a thread about the transfer case? is there power going threw the transfer case when in two wheel drive. I'm lost and can't afford to take it to a shop for diagnosis any idea's would be a great help thank you Chad

 

First why are you driving your tuck so hard you start braking the tires loose.

It may be the diff gears or if it is a LSD some internal parts. Bad U-joints is one good possibility. Yes the trasfercase is under power even in 2wd. The power has to get to the driveshaft somehow.

Most shops do a free test drive. Find out what they think it is.

 

I live on the oregon coast and we get 90+ inches of rain a year (It's the middle of July and we got a 1/2 of rain today LOL ) and some of the job sites we go to are muddy and sandy I'll check the U-joints tomorrow thanks

 

i just have to say i find it funny that he asks why your drivin so hard that your tires are breakin loose lol...I have 33s and i roast them All the time lol.

 

Sounds like a U-joint to me. Take a look though before you buy new ones. Mine takes a special type of U-joint. None of the parts places carry it. I had to get it special from a drive-line shop. His book showed the one I needed. He said the yolk on my truck was some sort of option from dodge. The U joint looks odd. I don't know exactly how to describe it, but one cross section is longer than the other.

 

g man i've run across that before. i don't know why they thought it was a good idea but they did. you can find em am but it's hard.
also to op.
check your exhaust and make sure your hangers aren't broken and letting the pipe slam down on the crossmember.

 

Thats wierd you mention the exhaust I have headers going into a single 3" pipe and one the hangers is loose, My buddy has an exhaust shop and he's is going to tighten everything up, that would be sweet If thats all it was, start with the cheap ( free ) stuff first and go from there I guess..........

 

well its not the exhaust, I got in some mud today and started spinning the tires and it made the horrible grinding noise then it stopped and the truck took off like a rocket, even though the ring and pinion are looked fine there is something going on in there, who can tell me about the limited slip unit in these rearends, does this sound like it could be the problem?

 

i was with crazy when i first read it about the tires breaking loose. after further explanation i see where your coming from. to be sure take it on the highway then give it gas, then take your foot off the gas, if you hear the clunk it's the u-joint, if not it's the rear diff.
from what i read it only occurs under hard acceleration or around turns, that seems to me like a differential problem.
BTW - RIDE how are you breaking lose 33 inch tires with stock 3.55 gears and a 318?

 

I get a stupid sounding clunk noise in the front when I apply the breaks and/or turn the wheel fast going down or up a hill or something, kinda random. I brought it to White Tire and they said my brakes and tie rod and the other thing were good. I believe it is the u-joint.

95 Dakota SLT 2wd