Matt,
I got the same thing. Knocking, thumping or a light clunk when
acceleratoing ot decelerating. My dealer said Chrysler is aware of the
problem and has a TSB that will be out late summer.
Here's the kicker... I wrote Chrysler customer one and they called me
and said they called the dealer and said, he said that he called Chrysler
and they said thy would have a TSB avaliable late summer. Talk about
wanting to stay disconnected from the customer.
Drive Safe,
Joe
>
>Date: Mon, 11 May 98 16:56:43 -0500
>From: rti1pmp@ismd.ups.com
>Subject: DML: Intermediate shaft and front suspension "thumping" on 97 Dak
>
> Hi all,
>
> I've been unsubscribed from the list for a bit. I have brought some
> problems problem back to the forum with me regarding some front
> suspension/steering linkage thumps and clunks on my 97 Dakota 2wd.
>
> First problem: I have been getting a light bumping feel transmitted
> through the steering column into the steering wheel. Kind of feels
> like someone wrapping the head of a screwdriver on the steering shaft
> under the hood. I've had the truck in to get it checked out and the
> dealer replaced the intermediate shaft. The problem went away for
> approx 3000 miles but is now back. I get it while doing parking lot
> manuvers where the wheel gets turned from lock to lock, and when
> throwing the weight front to back - back to front like when making a
> jack rabbit start followed by a quick stop. I rifled through the
> archives and saw mention of an upgraded intermediate shaft and a
> technical service bulliten that talks about this. I've searched
> www.alldata.com for the tsb on intermediate shafts and came up empty.
> Can anyone give me a reference number or a place to go find it? I'd
> like to find out if my truck got the upgraded part. Anyone got the
> part no? I'm sure it is listed on my service ticket and I'd like to
> compare.
>
> Second problem: Similar to above but I get a the tapping or wrapping
> click transmitted through the brake pedal as well.
>
> Third problem: This one is more pronounced than the first two. When
> makeing left and right turns (most notably left) over bumpy terrain
> there is a muffled thumping noise and kind of a loose feel in the
> front suspension. I can feel it over speed bumps crossed at angles,
> going into diveways that have the little step-up apron, and manhole
> covers in the middle of intersections. The key seems to be hitting
> these obstacles with the wheels turned so that truck gets tossed
> around torsionally. I've asked the wrenches at the dealership over 4
> trips now to check sway bar brackets, mounting, positioning, loose
> motor and tranny mounts, front coils springs moving in the towers, etc
> ... They can find absolutely nothing wrong and I'm stuck!
>
> Any help out there regarding any of this would be greatly
> appreciated!!!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Matt Plowman
> 97 Dakota Sport
> rti1pmp@ismd.ups.com or
> pmp@roadnet.ups.com
Joe Dille
Telford PA USA
(joe@dille.montgomery.pa.us)
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