when I go over big bumps or stop really hard and make the vehicle lunge forward, there is a creaking noise coming from the front left but when i push down on the front left of the vehicle, there is no sound. This vehicle has torsion bars, no springs, could it be the bushings? Maybe the shock got wet? I rebuild transmissions for a living and I'm at a loss...

 

i smell new ball joints! search the site for the ball joint test for the dak and durango's, also check with your dealer if they will do a recall search on your vin. it may be covered under the recall.

 

actually, the ball joints were recalled in this vehicle and replaced. but i found the problem!! the spare tire wasn't tightened up all the way in the back, and when i hit big bumps or stopped real fast, it would rub against the frame. Weird, huh?
thanks for the help anyway, though!