I have seen the left drive axle stub shaft striped and spinning inside the inner cv joint and also the front sway bar links causing a lot noise too. I would try removing the front sway bar and links and see if the noise is gone.

 

tried a new drive shaft. didnt help:l tried with no driveshaft in 4wd... didnt change noise still no noise when turning. now i didnt want to go out of 4lo. the light on the **** kept flashing in 4lo while i had it set to 2wd. hope i really didnt mess something up. found a different way to get the driveshaft off... lift with the floor jack and let down. pressure up then down. i got it off but...? and i got the old one put back on. might try checking wheel bearings and ujoints tomarrow. what about the transfer case antirattle clip thingy?

 

Which "drive shaft" did you try it without? The front or rear?

 

the drive shaft going from rear axle to transfer case is the one i took out.

 

Take out the FRONT propeller shaft, the one from the transfer case to the front differential. I'm betting that is the problem.

It spins whenever the vehicle moves.

 

had a suggestion about the 4wd actuator. not sure what that is or does other than moving front axle? i think. tried a wheel bearing on driverside and that didnt work.

 

There is NO 4wd actuator in a Dakota. The only thing that happens is the transfer case either sends power to the front wheels or not. The entire front drive train rotates any time the wheels move.

We do not have "locking" hubs with actuators in a 2nd Gen.

Really, the front propeller shaft failing is a common problem and it can make all sorts of weird noises.

 

Well finally got dakota fixed. put in new front driveshaft. the one going from transfer case to axle. Thanks for all the tips and advise. will be sure to check back here again if any troubles pop up again. thanx again!!!!!!!

 

Thanks bjadking for letting us know what it was.