I've got an '07 Dakota Crew. For a little while now I've noticed (mainly while driving across the lawn to my in-laws next door) a squeaking noise coming from the front end I think. Sometimes it sounds like the rear but now its getting louder and more apparent that its in the front. I've had other noises replaced under warranty since this has started. Mainly clunking noises that have resulted in new tie rods, sway bar links and sway bar bushings. I only notice this squeaking at low speeds, I've checked the brakes and they have plenty of pad left so it isn't the wear indicators. I also pushed down on the right front fender to find the sound was loud when i did it, but only for a few bounces. After a couple times of bouncing on the fender the sound went away, but the next time I drove the truck it came back. Is this just some rubber piece that has dried up a bit and is squeaking or is it something a little more serious that I should have replaced? Any Help would be awesome!

Oh yeah, I have noticed a little bit of a shake at highway speeds, but I just put on some new AT tires and was blaming it on them being a touch out of balance or something. Could possibly be from the same thing as the squeak?

 

Maybe the bushings on the sway bar are bad, or in the sway bar links... With the weather getting colder, the trucks start doing weird sh*t all around !

 

I just had the sway bar links and bushings replaced about 6 months ago. Unless the cold air is making them squeak then I don't think that is the problem.

However, I'm pretty sure I've pin pointed it to the Right Front corner. Noticed today pulling into the gas station that it was really loud! Not only squeaks but sounds wobbily. I have made an appointment with the dealer for wednesday to have it at least looked at and hopefully fixed. Any more input would be helpful, and I will also post what they think was the problem after I get it fixed.

 

control arm bushing or ball joint?

 

I just had this same issue about 2 weeks ago. i would manually bounce the front end and hear a squeak and also when i would pull into parking lots where there was a large enough jolt going over the transition from roadway to parking lot. it tured out to be the right front upper balljoint. replaced that and never had another issue. FYI the part from dodge was around $230 and the auto part store only $97.

 

Awesome input! I was thinking possible ball joint, but since its still under warranty I was gonna give the dealership one last try to fix it. Good to know that someone else has had the problem was able to fix it. I'm sure if one joint is ready to go the other side isn't far behind. So I'll know what the sound means next time when I will have to replace it myself.

I've done lower ball joints on an F-150 before, how much different if any is the upper one to replace? How much of my day should I set aside?

 

took me about 2 hours. spray some penetrating oil on before you start that save you some time. I spent most the time just fighting seazed bolts

 

hooah

 

Hey Guys! just got back from the dealer appointment. The damn truck wouldn't make the noise there! The service manager even had me go into the shop to recreate the sound and I couldn't do it. The tech said he checked all the front end parts and said everything was tight and most of it is new! They suggested that it was some bushing just hardening up from the cold and squeaking, or they got some dirt in them. I don't really know, but the sound hasn't come back since so who knows. The tech also lubricated all the bushings as well.

I guess I finally had one of those mystery noises.

Just a question, would you guys like some pics of my ride as is or would you rather wait til spring when I can give her a good bath and dress her up for her pictures? Northern NY salt and dirt is making her look a little nasty right now. Very STOCK Dakota FYI.

 

Yes we want pics! Don't wait until next year.

And well I guess that was good news at the Stealership. Did they lubricate everything before they tested it or afterward? Hopefully the noise hasn't already started back up..

Bain