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Dodge Dakota - Quad Cab
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Comments
one day after this fluid change I took a 500 mile round trip to Orlando Fl and avg about 19-20mpg doing about 75mph. I will continue to monitor the mpg and let you know though.
1. Do you think that the groaning sound is coming from one or both wheels (brake caliber problems) or do you think that it is in the rear differential (drive-train clearance issues)?
2. Is the sound continuous (brakes and/or rear dif) as you back-up for any amount of distance or is abrupt and only occurs when the suspension gets loaded in the opposite direction (dry rubber bushings on the leaf springs, sway bar, or shocks that are tighter in cool weather)?
3. Is it repeatable every time you go into reverse in one whole day or is it once and done for the day until it sits over night?
4. Does the groaning "always" occur in cooler weather or only in certain types, e.g. frozen slush under the truck versus "dry" cold?
Probably the wrong time of the year (weather-wise) to run a test but stand outside the truck while someone else moves it in reverse. You know best what sound to listen for.
My Dak, has DRUMS in the rear, they squeel every time I stop. (Just like a delivery truck might)
I have taken them apart and PMd them. The squeeling came back within a month. It stops when I push on the brake pedal, that is all that counts.
The sound is continuous when backing up, regardless of the distance traveled. It seems to get louder if I accelerate in reverse.
It is repeatable throughout the day when the noise occurs. The truck does not have to sit overnight for the noise to reoccur.
The noise frequently occurs when the outside temperature is below 40 degrees F, regardless if it is dry, raining, or snowing. And it also occurs at warmer temperatures but only when the truck has been sitting in rain for some time.
Print-off the TSB, read over it, walk into the dealer with it, in-hand, and asked to get it fixed. Make sure that they test it out with you in the truck. If they say that your's doesn't need it (checked on the lift) or they do apply the fix, let us know if it worked (no groaning in reverse). I don't know how handy you are, but if there seems to be a cost issue (shouldn't be), you could get the parts and install them yourself. If she's still groaning let us know and we can go from there.
Bookitty
The front end is where it would get tricky. One could adjust the torsion bar anchors to some degree but only as much as the camber can be adjusted and stay in spec. I don't know if that adjustment would be enough to keep the overall ride slightly "tail-high". I also wonder how these changes might impact the current 4x4 height shocks.
I like the 4x4 mode and in some cases the 4x4 height but that tailgate seems like a mountain when heaving motorcycles, a dead deer, or construction materials into the bed.
seems theres very little choice out there for aftermarket I would like to stick with infinity's and i'm considering the infinity 6002si reference models 6 1/2's.
also anyone install a sub in the q/c. not much choice here either if you still wanna retain the full function of the rear seats...
Best regards,
Dusty
Can you be more specific as to the opening between the fenderwell and engine?
Best regards,
Dusty
A few days later, it started raining while we were driving. I went to turn on the wipers, and nothing. No wipers, no washer juice. I stopped and pulled the fuse. It was OK. I pulled the wiper relay and reinserted it. When I restarted the truck, the wipers were working. It must of been a stuck wiper relay. Cycling the power probably reset it.
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) (or "check engine" lamp) will illuminate only if a problem is recognized for a long enough duration and will store the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) in the PCM memory. If the DTC is related to a non-emissions component or system, the DTC will drop out if the condition is repaired or ceases to exist after 40 warm-up cycles of the engine. In addition, the PCM recognizes DTCs by priority. Depending on the assigned priority in the PCM, certain DTCs will be erased from the PCM after two or three complete "trips," or complete cold-to-hot, hot-to-cold engine cycles.
Emissions-type DTCs are almost always Priority 4 and must be reset. I don't know at the moment if the P0132 is a P4 code, but I suspect it is based on the DTC description.
It depends on the actual scenario, but the PCM recognizes deceleration as a mode by monitoring the fuel and emissions systems. If by some chance you travelled the entire eight miles with the throttle completely closed ("hard deceleration"), the fuel injectors should have been completely shut off allowing no fuel into the cylinders and in this mode the PCM will ignore the O2 sensor signals completely.
I suspect, however, that you were not in this condition and indeed the cylinders got some quantity of fuel. Had you occasionally opened the throttle very, very slightly during the down hill trip? If this were the case, the PCM saw this as a extreme lean condition and threw the code.
Your Whiteface Mountain scenario is likely a very unusual mode condition and I suspect doesn't indicate any malfunction in the engine systems.
The wiper relay experience was the first time I've heard of this. Maybe the relay was just not making a good connection.
Best regards,
Dusty
Edelbrock IAS or Monroe Reflex shocks?
Thanks,
MM
If you do any research into shock absorbers, you will quickly find that there are "Twin-tube Low Pressure Gas" and "Mono-tube High Pressure Gas" types.
The Edelbrock IAS are the "Mono-tube High Pressure Gas" type while the Monroe are not. The Edelbrock IAS actually improve handling and braking (by reducing lean and nosedive)
In my case, the original absorbers were so bad that the rear of my Dak would leap sideways several inches over expansion joints. (scary at 65MPH!) With the Edelbrock IAS, the scary stuff is totally GONE and now it handles expansion joints as if they were not even there.
and installed them today. With a short test drive I can tell a difference.
Advance beat my best mail order price and had them the next day,,,not bad at all.
Drive out price was $277.00 for all four.
It never hurts to ask,,,,,
Bests,
Dusty
I know this is a tough question to answer, but do you have a feeling of how much shock action has changed since you put on the IASs?
I work with a guy who put the IAS shocks on his K-series Chevy PU a couple of years ago and he thinks they were a waste of money. But I'm not really sure what criteria he used to come to that conclusion. He may be thinking that for the price they weren't that much better. I don't know.
Since you're the only other one that I've run across that has them, especially on a Dak, I'm very interested in your observations and opinion on the performance since you've installed them.
The shocks on mine is the only thing that tells me that it isn't new anymore. When I first got the truck the ride was very controlled and responsive. I can tell that the shocks have loosened up, although at 30K it really isn't bad or anything. I suspect that by the time I hit 60K I'll want to change them out.
Thanks in advance.
Bests,
Dusty
I agree with Dusty regarding the ride of the factory shocks. I am a very sedate driver and at first, the ride on my Dak (2003 Quad 2wd 4.7) was firm, controlled, and responsive but, has loosen up considerably. After only 17K kilometres (10500 miles), the ride became very soft and leans/dips into turns and nose dives slightly when braking. My Dealer agrees the shocks have become definitely soft but, claims is normal wear. Personally, I think it's premature wear after only 10500 miles. Now, at 25650 kilometres (15940 miles) the ride is getting softer and bouncier. I don't think they will last until 40K kilometres (approx 25K miles) before needing attention.
I think Dodge must have changed suppliers in the last few years as the shocks on my '01 Quad 2wd 3.9 were never this soft at the same mileage.
Awhile back, I did some research and took Bruce's suggestion and got the Edelbrock's IAS shocks and will install them at 32K kilometres (20K miles) or sooner. Although, the Dealer will likely replace the factory shocks under warranty but, why bother with putting the same factory cheapos back in. Just my...2 cents.
Can someone please advise me on the various symptoms or telltale signs of upper/lower ball joints problems?
Thanks in advance,
dataguru
it's damping.
Edelbrock shocks have a full warranty that covers
most all defects for life. The pamplet gives
examples and diagrams. (i.e.)How to check your shock for failure.
<<<
Some of the way a vehicle reacts to worn ball joints is characteristic dependent on the platform design. In general, worn ball joints are first detected from road wander or how the vehicle traverses pavement separations in the driving position. Wheel shimmy or pulling to one side is also an indicator. Less evident is excessive play in the type of suspension system utilized by the Dakota.
I have seen a few so bad that they'll rattle over certain type of pavement conditions, or make clunking noises.
The best way to check for ball joint wear is to have a technician do the correct inspection.
Best regards,
Dusty
NOW, even with about 30K miles on the IAS shocks, I can ACCELLERATE over expansion joints and the rear end actually "squats" as the IAS do their magic to keep the tires planted on the road in a straight line. In the winter, when the roads are MILES and MILES of bumpy ice, my Dak stays planted and controlled.
I am certian that it was the very same ICY conditions that clobbered my original shock absorbers. (blew out the seals)
Currently, symptoms include slight road wander traversing gentle curves, barely noticeable steering wheel shimmy, very slight pulling to the left, and a clunk noise when going over a bump with wheels turned out. Tire pressures and alignment have been checked out but, perhaps should check free play on the rack and pinion components as well. I should also measure and compare the ride height clearance to ground on both sides. However, I keep wondering if all these symptoms can be attributed only to the weak shocks? After 26K kilometres (16K miles), I guess the Dak is no longer new.
Thanks and Best Regards,
dataguru
Further update...from the Front, the ride height(ground clearance) on the Right side is approx 1/2" lower than the Left side when measured on level ground. Not aware if this was the case from day one? There are no visible leaks but, could it be that the soft shock is collapsing or that a ball joint has failing.
I'm now, curious (in addition to the other symptoms mentioned previously) as to what else might attribute to the height difference on the Right side? (it's a 2wd Quad)
Any comments or suggestions?
Thanks & Best Regards,
dataguru
Conventional non-booster shocks have no influence on ride height. I doubt that a ball joint could be worn that much to drop one side by that much, either.
Do I hazzard to guess that this is a four-wheel drive?
Bests,
Dusty
I have read that there are ball joint problems. If I can get a stiffer ride I will replace the shocks, but I first want to know what the issue may be. There are documented ball joint problems but this truck is brand new. How shall I proceed?
What type of shocks? New ball joints? Will the dealer work with me?
The shop manual has step-by-step instructions on how to measure and adjust the front torsion bars for ride-height.
Before you get to deep into this though, can you explain HOW you are measuring the ride-height? Are you taking the measurements from the ground to the proper frame-members?
<< Do I hazzard to guess that this is a four-wheel drive? >>
No, it's a 2003 Quad 2WD with LSD.
Best Regards,
dataguru
Yes indeed, with rack & pinion steering but, it's still under warranty (17K miles or 27K kilometres), so I wanted the Dealer to initially correct the problems. Currently, I don't have a shop chassis manual but, I should get one since I plan to keep the 4.7 for at least another 5yrs. Thank for the suggestions.
< Are you taking the measurements from the ground to the proper frame-members? >
Yes, I measured the distance from ground to the chassis frame rails on level pavement. Can't remember the exact figures just now.
As mentioned in #4851, the Dak tracks fairly straight despite of the various symptoms. So, at 17K miles I'm a little puzzled with the soft shocks and front-end situation.
Thanks & Best Regards,
dataguru
update on my '02 qc 2wd 4.7, 5spd,3:55 lsd, hvy duty service, towing etc......
Now have 50,000+ miles still running strong. Noticed a groove on front LH rotor so I'm asking for info from anyone that has gone after market for rotors and pads and their experiences? I'm going to just go ahead and change rotors and pads and hopefully be done with it !!! My '98 had 80,000 with original pads/rotors still in good shape so I don't normally have to deal with brakes yet!
Thank you for your info
Lee
Okay. If it was a 4-wheel drive you'd have torsion bars and those are adjustable.
However, Bpeebles asks a good question. You have to take a height measurement to the frame, not body parts such as front bumpers. Bumpers are notorious for being out of adjustment. Mine is.
Bests,
Dusty
To be sure, I re-checked the height difference again this past weekend. Measured from level pavement to the chassis frame rails, it's closer to 3/8" lower on the right-side than the 1/2" previously reported.
In addition to the soft shocks(no visible leaks), my upper right ball joint looks like it is collapsed(as compared to upper left) which might attribute to the height difference. Now, at 17,000 miles (27,500 kilometres) and the ride getting bouncier, I'll just take it in for a technician to confirm since it's still under warranty. I wonder if the premature weaken of the factory shocks are putting more stresses all over and thus affecting other steering components such as ball joints?
Thanks for the help & Best Regards,
dataguru
by dealer at 33K miles. 2001 Quad/2wd/4.7/auto.
Thanks & Best Regards,
dataguru
common front-end popping and squeaky rear suspension. No questions asked, they replace upper and lower ball joints and front and rear links.
Also wiper motor control, ignition switch.
Had trans. fluid changed and injectors cleaned
(at my costs).
I didn't ask "what was wrong with ball-joints?"
I was just shocked that they were all replaced
without a 2nd discussion. This was shortly after
Dodge SUVs and trucks were beginning to make headlnes about faulty ball joints.
We have enjoyed this truck (50K miles now) very much and was my first Dodge vehicle. We're lucky it has been an overall good ride! The "mid-size" was the main reason for our purchase. Plan on keeping it for 3 more years. Now that Toyota and Nissan are up-sizing their small trucks, will probably to back to one of those brands next?
Mick