Got a gear whine in my 98 5.2l 5 speed dakota that i think is coming from the rear axle. its constant through all gears and speeds, acceleration deceleration and coasting. its the 9.25 rear end. someone mentioned to me it might be the pinion bearing. is this common? someone else said they had it happen in their 97 dakota back in 2000 and only the dealer could fix it for 850 bucks. thats more than i can afford right now. im thinking of trying to find a junked dakota and just grabbing the entire 9.25 out of it to put in. any and all input is greatly appreciated as to the problem and the cheapest way of fixing it. thanks guys.
Nick

 

Do a fluid change on the rear end and don't forget your friction modifier, if that doesn't help you would just have to replace the gears and it is something any competent mech can do not just the dealership...

 

yea i checked the fluid and it was full, ill try changing it out. gear swap? i reckon changing out the pinion bearing i could re use my gears. i was told that it was a special tool needed to pull off something on the inside of the 9.25 and thats why the dealership has to do it. could be wrong, i dont know my way around a chrysler axle like i do my amc or dana stuff.

 

I have a Dana 60on my R/T, 2000, did the 5.2s not come with it.. i also have the same 9.25 axle

 

It could be your pinion bearing, or it could also be thatyour pinion depth and/or backlash are off by a couple thousandths of an inch. The best solution would be to get a really loud exhaust.. then you'll never notice [sm=icon_rock.gif]

 

My truck used to have a gear whine, even after i changed the fluid, it wasnt that loud but you could still hear it. I dont think unless its extreamly loud that its a problem.