I have a 04' dakota with 60k miles. Yesterday pulling out of work i made it 10 feet and i heard a horrible clank in the rearend. Get out, didn't hit nothing, get back in try to move and nothin. So to make a long story short, went to move and the back was grinding until it hit a certain spot, then it broke free til it got to that spot again then would hang up and grind. I'm thinkin the rear went? Tranny? Anybody have any suggestions? Gettin ready to tare it apart.

 

If it is at least it will be cheaper than a tranny problem. Oh, does your rear end have factory or aftermarket limited slip or a locker? That could be part of the problem. Good luck and I'm sure the more experienced folks will chime in later. Best of luck and take some pics if you can, sounds like you may find something interesting going on in your diff.!

 

Eeek...im close to 60K!!! lol.
Sounds like you broke a tooth off. Anwyay, there are tons of rears out there, and for $100-$300 you can swap it out in a hour or so. Just pull the cover and all will become clear.
99% sure its not the trans...as, yea...

There was a carrier set for sale recently..where was that....where are you located?

 

Pull the rear diff cover and have a look. More than likely, if you have a factory limited slip it probably commited suicide. If you dont, then the ring and or pinion are toast. If it were a tranny problem it wouldnt be intermittent, it would be constant.

 

If you are going to venture into the world of pulling off the rear diff cover to have a look...

One warning...

Rear end fluid is about the nastiest stinkiest grossest fluid you will ever come across. It will ruin anything it comes into contact with and the smell will never, as far as I know, go away (maybe slightly exaggerating, but the stuff is disgusting). This would include things like concrete garage floors, driveways, and clothes.

Just so you know.

 

I love the smell of 90 weight in the morning!!!!