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04 dakota front end clunk! please help!!

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Old May 5, 2009 | 07:49 PM
  #11  
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that does sound like an upper balljoint...
you might try lifting the tire while the truck is in the air, sometimes balljoints go bad but wont give you horizontal play, which is the clunk while braking
 
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Old May 5, 2009 | 11:09 PM
  #12  
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well it has no vertical play at all, i can only slightly move it left and right like turning would do, oh and i had someone turn the wheels left and right and it makes absolutely no noise outside the cab or in the wheels wells at all...could it be in the steering column?
 
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Old May 6, 2009 | 02:13 AM
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Popping or clicking during turns could be worn CV joints...check the boots for tears or holes.
 
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Old May 6, 2009 | 07:40 AM
  #14  
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The later models (99 & up I think) had catastrophic ball joint failures. I'm not sure if this is your situation or not, but you should look into the ball joint saga. You should be able to find sites that cover it very well. If it is a ball joint failure the upper or lower A arm can separate from the frame. While the truck is moving. This is NOT a good situation. I have seen a few "results" from this problem. It's not pretty.

Hope this is NOT your problem.

Don't know if your truck is 2wd or 4wd. If 4wd it may be in the axle or transfer case. if 2wd your possibilities are more limited. Like the rack&pinion. That's not pretty either.
 
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Old May 6, 2009 | 08:57 AM
  #15  
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its definitly your cv joints. youll have to replace the whole half shaft. "Popping sounds are warning signs of a failing cv joint. Dont wait till the last minute like i did and almost wreck off the road when all the ball bearings fall out and it starts smoking
 
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Old May 6, 2009 | 01:40 PM
  #16  
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dodgeramguy85
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Originally Posted by HLN99DAK
its definitly your cv joints. youll have to replace the whole half shaft. "Popping sounds are warning signs of a failing cv joint. Dont wait till the last minute like i did and almost wreck off the road when all the ball bearings fall out and it starts smoking

I thought if it was your cv joints it would also be happening when driving straight not just turning(maybe im wrong correct me if I am). My friends needed a new cv shaft cause his was shot and at times when driving the truck it would start shaking then randomly stop.
 
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Old May 6, 2009 | 06:19 PM
  #17  
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ok thanks guys, well mine hasnt started to shake at all so i hope i can at least drive it a little while longer, oh and its a 2wd, my alignment is perfect and they didnt mention anything bein out of the ordinary such as tie rods or ball joints, but it feels like something is loose, cause it will kinda pop when hitting some bumps in the road. but its not hard pops just small enough to irritate you lol
 
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Old May 6, 2009 | 10:10 PM
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and potentially dominate your pocket book if it gets any worse...

Good luck!
 
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Old May 7, 2009 | 01:41 AM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by denley
ok thanks guys, well mine hasnt started to shake at all so i hope i can at least drive it a little while longer, oh and its a 2wd, my alignment is perfect and they didnt mention anything bein out of the ordinary such as tie rods or ball joints, but it feels like something is loose, cause it will kinda pop when hitting some bumps in the road. but its not hard pops just small enough to irritate you lol
2WD...well you can nix the CV joint idea then!
 
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Old May 11, 2009 | 10:50 PM
  #20  
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ok guys went to the dealer and got em to check it out, its the intermediate shaft in the steering! said both upper and lower needed to be replaced and it would be around $370 plus tax.
 
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