I have 2001 dakota 4x4 4.7 with 125,000 km. It's in great shape and gently used. Tonight, while driving I noticed that as I coasted towards a red light, there was sporadic clicking/knocking noise coming from (what sounded like) right under my feet. Once I accelerated, it stopped, but when I was merging onto the high shortly after, going around 40 km/h, it began to make the noise again.

First thought, universal joint (front).

Second thought, Transmission.

Keep in mind the truck has had no issue to date. Well maintained.

 

Best thing to do is crawl under and look around with a good strong flashlight at all those things you suggested.

It sounds like a U-joint grab the shaft and shake push pull it, it shouldn’t move at all but that still doesn’t mean it’s not bad if it feels solid there was someone on this forum that checked and it was fine but then replaced both and upon looking at the old ones they were all rusted the bearings that is.

 

I spent 3-4 hours doing that last night. The drive shaft that comes off the transfer case (Going to the front) has some play in it...but I can't really say if it's a U-Joint or if it's inside the T-Case or the pumpkin.

 

I would check your high velocity joint just coming out of the T-Case, I had mine go and it ended up ripping my T-Case in half

 

So the noise has been on and off over the last few weeks. I'm putting just over 100km's a day on it (Driving to work) =. I've taken to two different shops, driven around with the mech. and both times they've been unable to determine the problem. It's been on the hoist at both places, same story.....they can't find anything. The noise it getting more consistent now; with that in mind I tried to make a video tonight while coming home.


Check this out and let me know what you think of that:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut2EL...ature=youtu.be

Keep in mind, it makes the noise when coasting or when you're applying the brakes. When under power, it won't make a sound.

 

How is your spare tire good and tight sounds kind of like that to me it should be good and snug against the frame now if you don’t have a spare tire that could be it swinging around it will do that if you don’t have a spare tire?

How’s your steering Column intermediate Shaft if its rusty this may be it worth looking at anyway if so lube it up?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STEERING-COLUMN-INTERMEDIATE-SHAFT-DAKOTA-97-98-99-2WD-/260825439103?fits=Modelakota|Year:1998&hash=item 3cba685b7f&item=260825439103&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_P arts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

What about the tailgate are the hinges rusty kind of sounds like that also.

It just sounds like something is not snugged up somewhere.

I don’t think it’s a problem just an annoyance

 

Oh great job on the Vid you can hear it perfectly clear that was the best place to catch the noise.

 

Sounds like a bird stuck in your grille crying out for help.. LOL.. Good luck man

 

Damn that Bird must be very hungry by now stuck under that truck?

God that would be funny look under and find some dead bird stuck under the truck. OH Im laughing just thinking about that.

 

Sounds kind of like a sticky joint somewhere.