[Gulfstream]

First a little background, 04 Dakota, Regular cab 4X4 with 3.7 and 5 speed with 79K miles. Started getting a whinning or roaring sound over 25-30 mph, kind of like when you're running super swamper tires. I figured it was probably a wheel hub bearing going south so jacked the front end and sure enough...play in the front wheel when grabbed at the 12 and 6 o'clock position on the passenger side. Ordered a new wheel hub bearing assembly and installed it today, crap...noise is still there. When I inspected the old bearing assembly it felt fine so I swapped it out to the drivers side figuring maybe it was bad...nope, noise still there! I checked all the CV boots for damage, they're fine, checked all the gearbox fluids and they're good, and there doesn't seem to be any slop in the universal joints. BTW, the wheel slop is from worn upper ball joints...did figure that out. So, anyone got any ideas??

 

[l1tech]

Are you sure the noise is coming from the front? If it is and you are sure that the bearings are ok then I am gonna say that it is the BFG's that are causing your issue. It has been my experience with BFG's that they tend to wear like crap especially once a front end component goes bad...such as your ball joints. When the tires wear funny they will make alot of noise and BFG's seem to make ALOT more noise than any others.

 

[Gulfstream]

Well, it appears to be the pinion bearing in the rear end...anyone every changed these out, is it a pita? Might be an excuse to buy a junkyard posi unit.

 

[Gulfstream]

Anyone have a feel for how much it would cost labor wise to have the pinion and carrier bearings replaced? The kits run about $100 and I figure if you're in there might as well change all the bearings. Thoughts...?

 

[99dakota5.2]

I was going to suggest to check your rear pinion bearings, ive had to replace a few in our dakotas that came in for a noise like yours. Ive had to replace mine as well. Its not too complicated to do, but it isnt plug and play. Probably cost around $200-$500 depending who is doing it.

 

[Gulfstream]

I've got a local powertrain shop that quoted me $600 to install a complete bearing kit...sound about right? I figure since it's apart might as well change all the bearings.

 

[l1tech]

Is the $600 for parts and labor? Book time to rebuild the rear end is 5 hours but your not really rebuilding it, just replacing bearings so I would knock about an hour off of that.

 

[Gulfstream]

Yep, that's the "out the door" price...parts and labor.