I have 2008 Dakota SXT. For last while there has been a whine in the front end, sounds like it maybe coming from the front diff. It can only be heard at speeds greater than 50 km/hr. May have gotten slightly worst but very little. Any idea what this might be and how costly to repair. Im getting all kinds of stories from people. Can anyone enlighten me. Peacemaker.

 

Best would be to lift the entire truck on jack stands, put the truck in drive, and use a automotive stethoscope to find the noise.

The whine is either from the wheel bearings, pinion bearing, carrier bearings, or driver side needle bearing.

Mine entire front was shot, and just saved the labor time and bought a used front diff for $425 shipped with 7,000 miles on it with a 2 year warranty

 

Does it sound anything like this?

 

are you sure its coming from the diff? check oil levels in the diff and make sure theres no leak(which i doubt there is). You can get oil additives that reduce the grinding if its not serious. Also if it aint the diff, i know the alternator and water pump also have grinding type noises when going bad. But do like eimer said to check where the noise is coming from