Hey Everyone, came to this forum to get some peoples opinions on how to fix a problem with my 2005 Dodge Dakota. it has 102k miles on and the suspension has never been replaced. matter of fact, there has been nothing replaced except for filters, fluids, tires, and windshield wiper blades.

anyways whenever i touch the truck, it squeaks. when you turn the wheel, it squeaks, and when you start bouncing, which it always does, it squeaks. has anyone expereinced this? i figured its common if you dont perform maintence one the truck, but im not sure what replcement parts i might need for it.

it is a working farm truck. it does everything from 75mph down the highway, to using the 4wd to dig my way out of the muddy ruts at my farm. its constantly being abused on the farm and upwords of a ton of hay is loaded into the back everyweek. so with that being said, does anyone have any suggestions with what type of replacement parts i would need to make the squeak go away.

 

102K? Everything! Struts, ball joints, stabilizer end links. Probably tie rod ends and check the hub/bearings. Use Moog greasable parts. Rockauto.com has the best prices. It's not too bad of a cost if you're handy with tools and can do the work yourself.

 

yeah 102k. it was my dads truck and he didnt see the point in putting any money into the truck because its a farm vehicle. but now im driving it as a primary vehicle and well the squeak is getting obnoxious

 

is there any order in which you would order these parts and install them? im currently running on a tight budget, so i cant really order everything all at once.

 

Ball joints and tie rods. Remove the sway bar till you can afford the links. Get all moog. Expensive, but worth it. Unless you want to keep replacing other products every time.

 

Dakotas problem is a non-greasable front end. The solution is Moog Problem Solver series of parts. they are greasable replacement parts. The Moog Signature series is cheaper but, not greasable. That would be like putting the same crap back in your truck. I would do ball joints and struts first. Preferrably at the same time, since you have to take all the same stuff apart to do either. Might as well only take that stuff apart once. Tie rods and end links can be done independantly with out having to take anything else apart.

 

People may be jumping to conclusions. Mine had all kinds of squeaking and I sprayed all of the body mounts and rear spring bushings etc with WD40. Quiet as the day it was new. I didn't get from the description it's a mechanical type noise. Take 10 minutes and a can of spray lube, you might be supprised.

 

If you're going to lube it I'd use white lithium grease over WD-40. I don't think WD-40 is all that great of a lubricant. But it's my humble option and YMMV

 

I agree it's not the best but just for what I wanted it it was first can on the shelf. Locktite makes a nice spray on white lithium and Kroil is actuall my favorite penetrating type spray.