Hey everyone, I own a 05 3.7l 4x4 Dakota, for a few months I have noticed a strange metallic rattling noise when I drive at any speed, on flat surface not going over bumps or anything. I checked sway bar bushings and all that, but still couldn't figure it out, until I noticed this:


Slight play in my front drive shaft. Makes a very similar noise, this is probably the culprit right? I assume the drive shaft should not have any play in it. I also was wondering the price range to fix that?

 

I would get that CV joint replaced. I had one fail on my truck last October and cracked my transfer case in two.
Here's some pics from when mine busted out going 75 mph on the highway.
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This is the part: http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-35199-932-303.aspx

Here's the "Where to buy" just put in your zip code and you'll find places around you that sell them: http://hosted.where2getit.com/dorman/index.html

It'll cost about $115-$130 depending where you buy it. IT may seem pricey but alot better than shelling out $1500 for a new transfer case and new front drive shaft.

 

Thanks a lot for the info! I was under the impression I already would have had to buy a new drive shaft, am pretty relieved that I only have to buy the joint. I have been driving with this rattle for a while which leads me to believe that the joint has been gone for a while, so will the shaft still be ok? If it isn't, I have read about a dual u-joint drive shaft that will fit my truck that is better than the cv joint.

 

Here's a look inside that little CV joint:
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The play is most likely caused by either the ball-bearings wearing down or that inner ring (silver ring) is cracked allowing the drive shaft to move around.

It also looks like its missing the protection boot. That probably aided in wearing the bearings down do to low grease levels within the joint.

As far as the shaft itself goes, the only way to tell if the shaft is still good would be to unbolt it from the front differential (this is not easy, speaking from experience Dodge put lock-tite on those bolts and they're a pita to get out.) and unbolt that CV joint from the transfer case (I believe there are six bolts there.) and take the CV joint off (it's held on by a snap ring inside the CV joint.) Check the splines on the transfer case side of the drive shaft and also the if the drive shaft is bent.

As far as I researched you can only get the duel U-joint drive shafts for the manual transmission trucks. And even if they made one for the automatic you's still have to change the mount up to the transfer case some how. Plus those shafts are very pricey. $700+

If you like, I can sell you that exact same CV joint with all the parts and hardware for $60 + shipping. It's the same one in the photo above, brand new. I bought it when I blew out the old one, planning to fix the problem myself. But the transfer case was over my head, so I took it the shop and forgot to take this little guy. Just shoot me a PM if you're interested. I'll gladly send you pics of the entire box and all the hardware.