Hey guys im new to this thread. I signed up because I am looking to buy a...2004 Dakota SLT 4.7L V8
4WD Quad Cab (64,000 Miles)
Before I make the purchase I really want to know what common problems to this year and Model I should look for. I want to get it up on the lift and make sure I am not inheriting any inherent problems. Any information you guys have on what I should make sure checks out would be greeattly appreciated. Thanks in advance
You won't necessarily detect problems on the lift on a 2004.
Mine is a 98 (13years old) with about 64,000 miles on it now.
Here's the problems I have experienced with it so far:
Rotors warping..both have been replaced twice in 13 years.
Calipers seizing..the driver's side seized up twice..oem in about 8 years
and the replacement within a year..so far, the 3rd one on the drivers side
is reliable. Passenger on#2; Drivers side on #3
Wheel hub bearings..sealed, not able to repack..my drivers side failed
around the same time the caliper seized as the wheel overheated.
The passenger side was replaced this year..around 62k miles because
it was loose.
Ball joints...notorius for wearing out. I've been sort of adding grease
with a small grease gun and a grease injection needle straight into the
rubber boot on all 4 ball joints..that probably have kept mine going
until this year, when the drivers side lower joint started to have too much
play.
After seeing the horror story on Youtube of the wheel breaking
off on a 2000 Durango (same chassis as the Dakota)..
I decided to replace all 4 of mine with aftermarket Moog ball joints,
which have grease fittings. Expensive, but I don't anticipate having
any further problems with suspension as long as I own the truck.
Shocks: OEM shocks suck! I replaced mine a long time with Monroe
gas shocks.
Sensors: I've been lucky so far with mine..only the transmission speed
sensor failed..which was replaced and allowed the tranny to shift normally.
Serpentine belt and tensioner idler bearings: I'm on my 3rd serpentine
belt. The tensioner bearing started to make a lot of noise about 3 years
ago, so I took it off, popped the grease seal, washed it out in solvent
and repacked it with bearing grease..no further problems.
A/C clutch bearing..mine started to make a lot of noise, so I pulled off
the pulley with the bearing, popped the grease shield, washed it out
and repacked it with wheel bearing grease..working ok so far.
And for places where the truck experiences harsh weather conditions:
One of the front
transmission cooler lines developed a rust pin hole and
had to be replaced with a tranny flush, filter and new fluid.
This year, my
front to rear brake line failed because of similar rust perforation. Had to replace all lines front to back, over axle and new
wheel cylinders/shoes.