Originally Posted by erau

When the truck accelerates or decelerates, the rear suspension compresses or expands due to the truck body lurching backward (under acceleration) or forward (under deceleration). Since the driveshaft is connected to the rear axle, it must be allowed to pivot up or down with the compression or expansion of the rear suspension. However, since the rear differential can only move straight up or down, and does not "follow" the semi-circular path around the driveshaft when it pivots, the driveshaft must also be allowed to lengthen or contract to account for this changing of radius created as the differential rises or falls.

So how is this accomplished? Through the use of a slip joint in the driveshaft: As the rear suspension compresses/expands, the two pieces of driveshaft slide in/out of each other. Is this unique to Dakotas? Definitely not.

Originally Posted by mlarson29

it happens after off and on but usually every ride from between 15-25km/h . i have checked the u joints they have no play and look good. the front cv joints are fine i see no leaks or rips in the boot. it sounds like it would be right at the front u joint. i dont have any idea what it could be. i bought the truck off of a guy who replaced inner and outer ties rods both sides and replace both control arms. im not to sure what this noise is as it doesn't always happen. both diffs have brand new amsoil in them about 4000km ago. it just started happening when the temp came down to about -20C.

also its got 164000 km on the odometer and it has original u joints.

Originally Posted by mlarson29

well you were right i took it to my dads friend it took him two seconds felt around the cv got his fingers in it and there was zero grease. hes putting in a new shaft instead of replacing it as the auto wrecker has a 20000 km 2 year warranty and the shaft is only 90$.

Originally Posted by jkeaton

Man you can get a re-manufactured one with a lifetime warranty for $65 at O'reilly's. Thats where I got mine from.

Originally Posted by Jeremysp1993

What cv is he talking about? I was talking about the one that is mounted on the driveline at the transfer case side, not the cv shafts in the front. I think we are all getting messed up. For 90$, I believe he is talking about the one from transfer case to the diff. That's is the one that made a continuous clicking noise wiTh me.