I've got a 2003 Dakota with LS; 95k miles, 2nd owner. Just bought it last month. Changed out front, rear diff fluids and transfer case. Most likely first fluid change for diffs. Came out looking like swamp water. Used suction gun to pull out from diffs. Didn't get it all out of front. Filled as much as can with 75/90 synthetic. Now i hear a squeeling/ grinding noise as a make right turns; not straight or turning left. Same sound as brake caliper to rotar when pads need to be changed. Told that problem is b/c original gear oil was thick and metal shavings were coated and floating. Now with fresh diff oil, i'm hearing that stuff. That I should remove cover, clean out, use magnet to remove metals, and fill with symthetic.

Do you agree that's the issue? Should I include some hypoid in with front diff gl-5 fluids? Include some Lucas oil stabilizer? Go straight GL-5 75/90? Or is the issue most likely not even the diff but CV boot? Thanks

 

I will move this to the 2nd generation Dakota sub-forum.

 

If you saw the bad swamp water like you said yes you should have opened it up and done an inspection and complete cleaning to see what is going on and check for damage.

Open it up and see whats happening

Use what is recomended in the manual

 

It could be a bad hub too with that grinding noise.

Definitely pull the covers and change out the oil.