Question for ya guys…I had just replaced my left wheel hub this past Sunday and I drove it Sunday and had no issues, truck ran great. Then Monday morning drove it to school and work. Once leaving work, I back out of my parking spot and begin to pull forward and I hear a clack clack. I pull over and stop. Jack up the truck and check all the bolts and shake and pull the tire and everything seems tight. I proceed home taking side streets and it does not make the sound and then I turn right onto a street and it is the exact same noise but constant the entire way home. Which I want to say is close to a mile. I get home and it still clacks. I have rechecked the left side and took everything apart and have put everything back on. I also checked the right side as well. Everything is tight and nothing loose. I drove it yesterday and it still continues to make the noise when I turn left. It does not make the noise when I am turning right. I have done research on my noise and it is common with Dakotas to have a brake rattle but I do not believe that is it. I have no balljoints. Heims on the spindles attached to my tie rods and uniballs on both lower and upper arms. . Any suggestions? My second thought is my power steering rack but I figured I would ask around for any other ideas before I go and drop the money for a new rack…any help will be greatly appreciated…

 

2 or 4 wheel drive?

Bad hub?

 

2wd and hub looked good

 

Is it "regular" you know clack, clack, clack or is it more clack, clackclack, clack?

If it's the hub it should do it at the same point every time it rotates.

If you lightly rest your foot on the brakes that should eliminate any brake noise.

 

It isn't very regular and the clack clack picks up as I speed up and when I brake it still makes the clack noise

 

About the only thing it can be is the hub if you eliminate brake noise.

 

my problem with that is. i go through hubs like there is no tomorrow with the amount of dirt abuse my dodge sees because I am long traveled...when it does make the noise it can be felt inside the cab on the right side of the cupholders that are on the floor...that is why it is my guess that it isnt a hub...

 

The only thing near the cup holders is the u-joint. If it was going to be noisy you'd hear it all the time.

You shouldn't be going through hubs that often. Are you using a new nut when you install them? What are you torquing them to?

 

Well with my long travel kit I'm running stock rims so I have to use a 1/2" wheel spacer which is why I am having hub issues. As for torquing them down I use a breaker bar with locktight. So I don't think I'm over torquing them at all....I replaced my left caliper and pads today since my caliper was going bad too and test drove it and noise is still there...probably gunna replace the.right side.too because the pads.aren't releasing like they should. Just money right?

 

The spacers will put more load on your rims, yes. But, what are you torquing them to? A breaker bar doesn't answer the question, you need a torque wrench.

To tight is as bad as to loose.