question

From : frank gregory

Q: i am considering buying a 98 dakota 4x4 with an automatic transmission. there is an odd noise from the tires/wheels at higher speeds that has me concerned. it is an increasing wha wha wha almost as if something is spinning out of true. the tires are new and it doesnt effect the driveability. here is where i am showing my ignorance so please bear with me. under the truck the driveshaft moves forwards and back a good 1/2 inch. is this a housing and is this normal could the two issues be related the truck is in superb shape and seems well taken care of i cant see that it has been abused. any thoughts thanks. .

Replies:

From : bob

frank gregory wrote i am considering buying a 98 dakota 4x4 with an automatic transmission. there is an odd noise from the tires/wheels at higher speeds that has me concerned. it is an increasing wha wha wha almost as if something is spinning out of true. the tires are new and it doesnt effect the driveability. here is where i am showing my ignorance so please bear with me. under the truck the driveshaft moves forwards and back a good 1/2 inch. is this a housing and is this normal could the two issues be related the truck is in superb shape and seems well taken care of i cant see that it has been abused. any thoughts thanks. thats a bad thing. drive shaft should not move fore and aft even the tiniest bit. it could something simple like the u-joints but its probably the pinion in the differential. that needs to be fixed quickly before you have a catastrophic failure. at a minimum youre looking at $40 and a couple hours of your time for u-joints. at the most youre looking at a differential rebuild at $400-800 depending on whats still usable. if the pinion shaft moves in and out i would just go to the boneyard and find a low mileage replacement. -- ..bob 97 h-d fxdwg - turbocharged!! 01 dakota quad sport 5.9/auto/4x4 83 gmc jimmy beater 66 427sc cobra replica - project 66 mustang coupe - daily driver -----= posted via feeds.com uncensored usenet =----- http//www.feeds.com - the #1 group service in the world! -----== over 100000 groups - 19 different servers! =----- .