2 issues that concern me, excessive formation of "brake dust" and a very audible "Ka-Chunk!" sound when I put in gear or park.

Hey Guys,
I recently bought my 2005 Dak from a single previous owner. I love her to death and really wanna take good care of her. First off, have there been any service recalls or issues that have been common or one should be aware of with the 2005 Dak's? Any maintanence tips to keep her running strong other than the typical stuff (fluid checks, lube, cleaning)?

I currently have two concerns. Ever since I got her, I have noticed that when I put her in park and sometimes in gear I hear a distinct Ka-Chunk that I never noticed before on my 98 Dak. I'm hoping that is normal or at least an easy fix. My second concern is recently (the past two weeks) when Im going real slow or turning real slow I think I hear a metal on metal sound (rubbing, but not grinding) and when washing her I have noticed more "brake dust" accumulation than normal. Nothing too excessive (yet), but I'm concerned because on my last Dak when I hit about 140K miles I heard a similar noise and saw a TON of "brake dust" build up and it turned out my center hub bearings were shot. I only got about 53K miles on my 05, but could I still be having the same issue? Anyone got any ideas? I know I could just take her to a mechanic, but I like to know what's going on with her at all times, you guys can understand that, right? Thanks in adance for anyone who can help.

 

I agree with ya man and i hear ya. ive heard a simliar noise as well and looked under and noticed the clamp for my tranny was leaking.. my mechanic cut off the clamps put on a new hose and added more fluid... now i dont hear it but when i do park uphill i do hear a pop like sound when i put it into gear and thats with my foot all the way down on the break. for the that idk it could be a piston on the pad pushing hard or exactly what you thought idk take off the tire and take a look or let ya mechanic take a look. i hear a simliar noise myself the rubbing noise i did have brakes redone all around including calibers and my rotors are warped when hes done with the madness hes going to replace the rotors with better ones since they have a warranty on em i love mine to and i dont like it when things mess up either. right now shes leaking again ive had alot of leaking.... if i want i could lemon law my truck but i dont wanna have her trashed... shes to pretty for that.

 

Hey Thanks Money, glad to hear I'm not going crazy and I'm not the only one. I'll check it out underneath like you said and if I have to, take it to a pro. I was already thinking of changing the rotors and get some new pads (figured I'd paint my caliper at the same time) Appreciate the feedback!

 

When you hear your Ka-chunk, does the truck launch forward a bit hard if youre not on the brake?

 

Mine shifts into gear pretty hard too. Could be normal. Maybe time to get the trans fluid and filter changed. See if that helps. If not, and it's deemed excessive (enough to so something about it) you might have some bad driveshaft U-joints.

As for the brakes. If they are original, it's time to replace them. In my experiance, they make more dust just before death. If they have been replaced already, the previous owner may have installed crappy pads. Probably time for a brake job...maybe new calipers to go with the rotors and pads becase of the rubbing sound.

As for metal-on-metal sound. Bad bearing, loose caliper, bad caliper sliders (which can make more dust), larger than stock tires?

 

The hard clunk I have in to drive only happens on cold start ups after the engine has idled for about a minute. I already have had my fluid changed with the filter, and it didnt make a difference. It only does it on the first shift in to drive. If I put it back in to park and do it again, it goes smoothly. So, I just dont worry about it. Its not the right attitude to have, but it could take a lot of time and money to find where that clunk is coming from. As long as it only does it every once in a while, Im fine with it. My truck has 100k on it, it will never be perfect and I have learned to accept small things like that.

 

Hey thanks for all the responses guys! The Ka-chunk sound is most noticeable when Im pulling in my garage and put her in park. You're probably right, this is a used vehicle, who knows when the tranny or transfercase gear oil was changed and the filter, so that couldn't hurt. Also, with the "brake dust", yeah I'll have to check and see how much is left on the pads. I did upgrade my tires, but nothing extreme. I forget the size, but I put on Goodyear Silent Armor tires, They are about 1/2 inch narrower than stock (snow) and over all about 3/4 inch taller.

 

depending on if you have the 3.7l or 4.7l i know the 3.7l had a recall on a trans plug cup. after mine was change i noticed if i was parked going up hill i have to floor the break and it still clunks in to gear.

 

I got the 4.7 / I'm curious though, cuz I've heard a few of you guys mention something about what type of V-8 engine. I know that there is the reg. 4.7 and the HO, but I've seen guys mention the actual stock number ending in a different letter, like "N" or something, how do I check mine and also what difference does it make?

 

Look at your VIN the normal V8 has and "N" and the HO has a "J". Its in the 8th position of the VIN

Here this will tell you more about your win and what you truck is all about.

VIN DECODING INFORMATION

POSITION INTERPRETATION CODE = DESCRIPTION
1 Country of Origin 1 = Manufactured by DaimlerChrysler Corporation

2 Make D = Dodge

3 Vehicle Type 7 = Truck less Side Airbags; 3 = Truck with Side Airbags

4 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating H = 6001-7000 lbs.

5 Vehicle Line E = Dakota 4x2; W = Dakota 4x4

6 Series 2 = Dakota ST; 4 = Dakota SLT/Sport; 5 = Dakota LARAMIE/SPORT

7 Body Style 2 = Club Cab Dakota; 8 = Quad Cab Dakota

8 Engine K = 3.7L 6 cyl. MPI Gasoline; N = 4.7L 8 cyl. MPI; Gasoline; J = 4.7L 8 cyl. MPI High Output Gasoline

9 Check Digit 0 through 9 or X

10 Model Year 5 = 2005

11 Assembly Plant S = Warren Truck Assembly

12 thru 17 = Vehicle Build Sequence