I have the 2004 dakota sxt 4x4 with the 3.7l v6. I had it out mudding before deployment and noticed a clicking noise in the front end when I engage in 4 wheel drive. However, the clicking noise only comes when I put torque to the front end. Driving it down the road if 4hi doesn't give me any problems, it's not until I get into the dirt. I also have the electronic transfer case..damn things. I thought at first it might just be the front knuckle, but took a look at it and it seems alright. Anybody ever have this problem and resolved the issue?

By the way, I'm a new poster and I'll be sure to get some pics of my truck soon as I take them tomorrow. So far I have a 9500lbs winch that mounts to receivers in the front and back with quick connects to power it up, smittybuilt brush guard, 6" offroad lights in the front, tonneau cover, nerf bars, 2" torsion bar keys, 31" BF Goodrich Allterrain AT, flowmaster 1in-2out exhaust, superchips stage 1 mod, k&n airfilter, custom toolboxes inside the bed, and much more to come once I can locate a suspension lift fora decent price. Other interior mods such as reg cab sub system, motorola handheld cb with wilson 5000 antenna, custom diamond plate floormats, aftermarket center console, and tint.

 

welcome to the forum. sounds like you have a nice truck, lets see some pics

what kind of clicking in the front end do you get. does it do it more when your turning?

 

I think I have the same problem. Mine makes a wierd clicking noise also but it only does it when the wheel is all the way turn in 4x4, but there has to be torque on the wheel like going up a hill and tring to turn it will do it but on flat ground just making a turn it doesn't, if that makes sense.

 

Yea, it happens more when I'm turning but only if I'm applying torque to it. If I'm just driving down the road with it in 4 I can do a complete 180 without it popping or cracking at all. However, I had to drive around my mom's jeep last night up a hill to get out of the driveway and it was clicking like I had a branch stuck inside the knuckle. Even my neighbor gave me a funny look like my truck talked to him or something. Thanks for reminding me about the pics, I'll find my camera now and start making the truck pose for a photo shoot.

 

Semper Fi Marine, my Dakota was doing the same thing, but it was more like a clunking noise when I turned the wheel or gave it too much gas. Turned out to be the Transfer Case it's in the process of being replaced. Have you had it serviced recently?? then again the clicking may be the vacuum activator failing. Best to take it in to get checked.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I've dealt with a transfer case swap in my old 92' Dakota. That was not a fun or cheap experiment. I had it serviced about 1000 miles ago but apparently they missed that. Unfortunately my warranty just ran out too, looks like I'll have to dig deep in the pockets past the lint and find a thousand bucks or so.

By the way, picture gallery is posted. She's a beauty ladies and gents. go take a look.

 

yeah I got my truck last year, she had some miles but the body and engine was impecable. All was great but the transfer case. I bought it from these people in SC http://www.transfercases.com/. this was the best price for a rebuilt on, just a hundred bucks more than a used one from a junk yard. I've never put one in myself otherwise i'd save myself the 170 they're charging me for labor. 4x4 is great but requires lots of maintenance. This next time I'm going to make sure all maintenance is ahead of schedule.

 

nice truck,I see you have the 2" torsion bar keys too. did you install them yourself? I'm lookin to do the same to mine over the winter. now I just have to decide if I can put them in or take it to a shop to do it.

 

Yea, I installed them myself with a little bit of help from some guys that own a rig repair center. We adjusted it to stock clearance by measurement (didn't know how many turns I was up) then marked it, then just dropped the torsion bars and put the keys in and put it back together...took about an hour 1/2 with help from the guys at the shop. Rides allot different though. Shocks seem to jump more over small bumps and my truck seems to roadwalk a bit. Less than my old dakota though so I'm fine with it. If you're not used to it though, it's a rude awakening.

 

ok thanks. I probly will attempt to do it myself. but I wonder why it wanders more? I'm used to vehicles wandering. when I blew the rack in the old dakota there was 1/2 turn of play in the steering wheel and it pulled like a b*tch. and I blew a steering box in my old 74 F250 and it had 2 1/2 turns of play inthe wheel and I had to drive her home for like 50kms.

but since the 99 is gonna be a daily driver hopefully soon. I dont want it too wander too much. I'll have to see how she goes once I put them in. I know it's gonna ride better then if you crank the tbars up.