1998 Dodge Dakota Clunking while driving

SREDNAS

MEMBER
1998 DODGE DAKOTA
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
105,000 MILES

I just replaced tires that had uneven wear because I found out as I was having an alignment done that my ball joints were bad.

There was sqeaking in the suspension. I then replaced upper and lower ball joints and test drove. I now hear a clunking sound that was not present before. I almost sounds like rubbing, I checked for clearance and didn't see anything.

Could replacing the ball joints now expose bad CV jointss too? I looked at the drive axle when I had the steering knuckle off and they seemed fine. Any ideas?

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,179 POSTS

CV joints usually click. As far as the noise you hear now, is it only over bumps?

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Monday, November 8th, 2010 AT 1:00 PM

SREDNAS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

It does happen when I go over bumps. I first noticed it going up and down a hill during the test drive. It doesn't happen on tight turns only; wide turns too and driving straight. I took a passenger on the 2nd test drive and it didnt happen as much.

The only other thing I can think of is maybe I didn't torque the castle nuts tight enough?

The only thing that was different from textbook was the upper ball joints were factory rivited vs the after market parts which are bolted.