so i bought my dakota about 2 months ago used from a chevy dealership. i had a knock/squeek that came out of the steering wheel when you turned it. they since fixed that. now i noticed (after the little warranty is up) that when i hit a bump, there is a knock coming out of the steering wheel again. not turning, just hitting bumps at a low-ish speed. also when i crank the wheel and turn left, there is a loud/deep squeek coming out of the front tires....
then to top it off. when i release the brake pedal after coming to a complete stop and then let go to get going, there is like a 'honing' sound coming out....any thoughts/ideas?
i am mechanically inclined but sometimes i can get lost
thanks in advance
oh, and love the site!

 

one more thing....after coming to a complete stop and i hit the gas...i feel a little kick like the tranny slipped

 

What year is your Dakota? I can move this to the proper section.

 

First thing to check would be the sway bar bushings and links. Dont have to jack up your truck to test it. Just get someone push down on the truck and listen for where noise is coming from. Good luck.

 

saranym80, I'm having the exact same issues as you. I just bought my '06 Dak from a Power Chevrolet dealer, and I've noticed a creaking sound when I'm taking corners coming from the steering wheel. I get that same kinda stutter when I hit the gas too. Have you found what was causing the stutter after stopping?

 

i have an 08
yesterday i went down a bumpy road kinda like a grate, but dirt. and the noise was horrible! it was making a clacking sound

 

the rear stab links in your dakota are made out of plastic and are frankly funk. i would deffently be checking them first. after that i would be checking the front once there made of the same cheap plastic. and the lower ball joints from the factory are only good for about 40k (from what i have noticed working on them in the shop. dont quote me on this because its not a true study

 

Rear links on my 05 lasted 70k. Yes they are plastic, but they also do not get a lot of abuse. Fronts on mine are definitely not plastic... at any rate, check the front end, thats where the problems are on these trucks. Struts, sway bar links, ball joints and tie rods. I've been lucky, my front end is solid (except for wimpy struts, which will be replaced within a month). Most all sounds you hear are from the crappy factory front end parts.

 

fun. i havent had a chance to check them out yet. but with this info it does help a lot more. thanks again~!