Making noise when accelerating and braking

Tiny
JOSHW1121
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 14,000 MILES
My 2000 Dakota with 4.7 V8, AWD Sport Package, 140k miles, has a rough grinding sound that I can hear with my windows and music up. I can feel it in my steering wheel and gas pedal. When I slow to a stop the truck shakes violently and nearly dies. Also has a burning smell in the front end, strongest under the hood. Brakes are brand new and rotors arent hot after driving. Please Help
Saturday, November 26th, 2011 AT 4:36 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Where is the grinding sound coming from? Could be bad front wheel bearings. Could be something rubbing a brake rotor. The burning smell could be oil dripping on the exhaust manifold.
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Saturday, November 26th, 2011 AT 4:44 AM
Tiny
JOSHW1121
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I can't quite tell where its coming from as it only does it in drive, the truck idles fine and reverses with no sound, but when I start accelerating it grinds very loud. When the truck is idling all the pulleys turn fine, from what I can tell, some are hard to see. The smell is burning rubber, sorry I forgot to add that.
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Saturday, November 26th, 2011 AT 5:00 AM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
See if you can hear the grinding sound with the truck moving forward/transmission in neutral. Next, try jacking up the truck and supporting it with jack stands, then listening for the noise. It is most likely either one of the differentials, the transmission, or the transfer case.

Run the engine until you smell the burning smell. Shut it down and feel the contact side of the belt(s). A sticky belt indicates excess friction, which normally means that one of the pulleys is either frozen or having difficulty turning. Also look for any hoses making contact with the exhaust manifold.
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Saturday, November 26th, 2011 AT 7:07 AM
Tiny
JOSHW1121
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Okay, I drove the truck again today, going about 40 mph I put it in neutral and revved the engine, and there was absolutely no squeaking, it ONLY squeaks/grinds when I am pushing the gas. I also didnt smell any burning while driving, I took the serpentine belt off today and all pulleys move freely. I do know I need new ball joints, and possibly bearings, but shouldnt the bearings squeal all the time and not just while accelerating?
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Saturday, November 26th, 2011 AT 9:02 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Yes, typically they will squeal all the time, but if they're not completely bad, the squeaking could come and go. Lift the front end, grasp the tires at top and bottom and try and move the wheel back and forth at the top and bottom. There should be no play.

The fact that you're only hearing the grinding under load while in gear tells me that it is probably the transmission. One of the gears is either misaligned or chipped and the piece of metal is caught between moving parts.

But the fact that you feel it in the steering wheel tells me it's probably suspension related.
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Sunday, November 27th, 2011 AT 3:16 AM
Tiny
JOSHW1121
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Lifted up the front end and there is all sorts of play in all directions on both front tires. I know I have to change ball joints. Thats not a big deal to me, I just need to get rid of this grinding. My tranny doesnt slip at all, and there is no pedal delay.
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Sunday, November 27th, 2011 AT 4:40 AM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Ball joint play is indicated by an up and down motion of the wheel. Bearing play is an in and out at the top and bottom of the wheel. It sounds like you have shot front bearings.

HUB/WHEEL BEARINGS
Removal
1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove brake caliper, rotor and ABS wheel speed sensor (if equipped).
4. Remove hub/bearing spindle nut and discard nut.
5. Slide hub/bearing assembly off spindle.
Installation
1. Slide hub/bearing on spindle.
2. Install NEW spindle nut and tighten to 185 ft. Lbs. (251 N.M).
3. Install brake rotor, caliper and ABS wheel speed sensor (if equipped).
4. Install wheel and tire assembly.
5. Remove support and lower vehicle.
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Sunday, November 27th, 2011 AT 4:52 AM

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