Brand new to the Dodge Forums, just bought a Flame Red 2002 Dakota QC 4x4 with 43K miles on her. Absolutely love every second in this truck. I'm excited to see what I can come up with to modify it.

First things first, I had to replace the outer tie rod ends to pass inspection and ever since then, there has been a creeking noise coming from under the body towards the front. I can mainly hear it when I go over bumps and when the body rolls fromside toside while hitting some bumps. It's kind of hard to explain but I've talked with some people and the shocks keep coming up as a possible problem. There is no fluid or signs of tears in the boots of the shocks or anything.....the ride quality doesn't seem to be any different. If anyone can at least point me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

So no one wants to put their 2 cents in?!?!? I haven't had any time to take it in yet. One thing I did want to mention is that we had some real bad rain for a couple of days and it seemed to quiet down a lot and then after the rain went away, I couldn't even hear it any more. Now about a week later, it's starting to slowly come back. If that helps anyone, please help me out. Thanks guys.

 

i have the same issue plus i have like some rattle noise coming from under my bed (almost like a washer or something hitting metal) and i know that is going to a pain in the *** to find but i know what your saying about the noise your hearing

 

Ball joints or control arm bushings. Both are known to be weak on the Dakotas.

As far as the rattle in the bed, check your spare tire. it may be loose. If that is tight, check the bolts that hold down the bed. could also be u-joints or leaf springs

 

I used to have a similar issue, and found this fix worked for me (from v8performance.com/tipsandtricks) although it says for 97-01, it might be the same for later 2nd gens:

 

Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate your comments. I was under my truck this weekend and didn't even know where to start looking. After about 45 mins of pointless looking, pushing, pulling, banging and wiggling....I found nothing. I think I'm just going to take it back to the guys who put my tie rod ends in and have them take a look. It didn't start making noise until after I got the outer tie rods ends put on. Don't know if that has anything to do with it, but...that's my first step. Thanks again guys, Love this site!

 

I also had a similar problem... Lift up the front end of your pick up and move the tires back and fourth if theres play then its ball joints ... as stated above the Ball joints are known to be really weak in dakota's just had mine replaced .... DAMN POP RIVETS !!!

 

Check the clamps that hold your exhaust pipe together. Mine rusted out and were just vibrating on the pipe causing the noise. YOu could also check your body bolts