Ive got a 1996 dodge dakota V8 4x4, whenever i get up to highway speeds, about 55-60 mph, when i hit the accelerator it makes a whining sound and will stop the second you let off the accelerator. this only happens when im traveling at highway speeds and makes no noise at all when driving around town at city speeds. It sounds like its coming from somewhere in the front end of the vehicle. any suggestions on what i should start checking and troubleshooting?

 

Probably a bearing thinking about going bad......

 

I would agree. Wheel bearing or a CV axle.

 

output bearing in trans tailshaft (did mine with rest of trans still in truck) or a rearend bearing

 

If its due to something in the drive train the sound can "travel", making it difficult to tell where its coming from. Generally a bad bearing will make noise when its under load, so think about which parts are coming under a load when you accelerate at highway speed. Transfer case tail shaft bushing, rear-end bearing, even a rear wheel bearing could be the cause. Is this an automatic, or manual? If you keep the same highway speed but drop down a gear and try it, does the sound change? If so, it could be a trans bearing. If not, the tailshaft or something aft of that is more likely. If you quickly change lanes when its making the noise does the sound change? If so, it could be an axle bearing.

If the sound is truly coming from the front, check to see if anything is loose or rubbing up there. If all looks OK, jack the truck up (be safe, use a jack stand) and climb underneath. Shake the rear driveshaft at the front. If you can feel slop without trying too hard, your tail shaft bushing could be worn.

 

Mine was whining when I accelerating so I made the wife stay home and the whining stopped.