I need some help please

trinitron12 · #1 07-02-2008, 09:08 AM

I have a 98 dakota 4cyl 5 speed
As I am driving home yesterday I notice a loud whining noise when I am in any gear axcept 4th, also I can smell tranny fluid pretty strong. I cannot find a leak anywhere and dont know what it could be. I was told that the camshaft bearing in the tranny was bad and i needed a new tranny but before i spend 1700 on a rebuild i need some second opinions. Has anyone else had this problem and what is it?

Please help

300exoh · #2 07-02-2008, 01:23 PM

If I had to make a guess I would say it is probably your throwout bearing (not sure if that is the same as the cam bearing). It's not a big deal really and it shouldn't cost near 1700 bucks. It's just a bearing that allows the input shaft to turn while it engages with the clutch/pressure plate. It might be a good idea to put a new clutch disk and pressure plate in when you replace the bearing.

trinitron12 · #3 07-02-2008, 01:50 PM

yeah i dont know if they are the same or not the mechanic said he has never heard of anything like that before the noise only in some gears so i am not to anxious to go back there gonna try diff mechanin tomm. If it is throwout bearing does that require complete removal of tranny? Im trying to get a guess on what im gonna have to spend to fix it any idea?

wink2873 · #4 07-02-2008, 01:55 PM

It does sound like a throwout bearing, if that's the case you can probably still drive it. my 88 dakota has a bad throwout bearing and it makes the whining noise you describe. the whine is in all gears except fourth, i think maybe because that gear is 1:1. also, when not in gear and the clutch is not depressed it makes a rattling noise. I looked up the cost of a throwout bearing once and it was like 50 bucks. If thats the case, you're paying 1,650 in labor... sounds like a rip off to me. Also, I've been driving mine with a bad throwout for 2 years, and that truck is 20 years old. if it was going to break i think it wouldve happened by now.

trinitron12 · #5 07-02-2008, 01:59 PM

WINK does yours make that sound in all gears except 4th as well did I read that right? Also does your have a tranny fluid smell well if you have had it for 2 years you wouldnt notice as much. Well i am coming to realize that this is the problem i have now just have to find someone to fix it. I would just drive it but its my fathers and he is making me get it fixed rightfully so i guess. Any idea what kind of cost i should look to pay for replacing it?

thanks for all you help

300exoh · #6 07-02-2008, 01:59 PM

Yes the trans would have to be removed to replce the throwout bearing. Typically the throwout will make noise in all gears but it could be that the load isn't that great on the bearing in 4th so it doesn't squeal. I couldn't really say how much it will cost since I haven't done one in may years but the bearing itelf isn't that expensive. Most of the cost would be for labor. I would think you are looking at somewhere around 4-6 hours at $65+/hour plus parts. It is possible that there is some other problem though. I'm not a tranny expert by any means...just a backyard mechanic for the most part.

wink2873 · #7 07-02-2008, 03:49 PM

yes, it does not make nearly as much noise in 4th as it does in all other gears. I have no idea about the fluid though, when i got the truck the bearing was bad, i've never even checked the fluid in it, for all i know it could be empty. i would say that it should be under 500$ to replace a throwout, call around.

trinitron12 · #8 07-02-2008, 03:51 PM

THANKS for all the help guys really appreciate it