Dodge Dakota (R1). Manual - part 753

improper body component alignment, body seam
porosity, missing plugs, or blocked drain holes. Cen-
trifugal and gravitational force can cause water to
drip from a location away from the actual leak point,
making leak detection difficult. All body sealing
points should be water tight in normal wet-driving
conditions. Water flowing downward from the front of
the vehicle should not enter the passenger or luggage
compartment.

Moving

sealing

surfaces

will

not

always seal water tight under all conditions. At
times, side glass or door seals will allow water to
enter the passenger compartment during high pres-
sure washing or hard driving rain (severe) condi-
tions.

Overcompensating

door

glass

adjustments to stop a water leak that occurs under
severe conditions can cause premature seal wear and
excessive closing or latching effort. After completing
a repair, water test vehicle to verify leak has stopped
before returning vehicle to use.

VISUAL INSPECTION BEFORE WATER LEAK TESTS

Verify that floor and body plugs are in place, body

drains are clear, and body components are properly
aligned and sealed. If component alignment or seal-
ing is necessary, refer to the appropriate section of
this group for proper procedures.

WATER LEAK TESTS

WARNING: DO NOT USE ELECTRIC SHOP LIGHTS
OR TOOLS IN WATER TEST AREA. PERSONAL
INJURY CAN RESULT.

When the conditions causing a water leak have

been determined, simulate the conditions as closely
as possible.

• If a leak occurs with the vehicle parked in a

steady light rain, flood the leak area with an open-
ended garden hose.

• If a leak occurs while driving at highway speeds

in a steady rain, test the leak area with a reasonable
velocity stream or fan spray of water. Direct the
spray in a direction comparable to actual conditions.

• If a leak occurs when the vehicle is parked on an

incline, hoist the end or side of the vehicle to simu-
late this condition. This method can be used when
the leak occurs when the vehicle accelerates, stops or
turns. If the leak occurs on acceleration, hoist the
front of the vehicle. If the leak occurs when braking,
hoist the back of the vehicle. If the leak occurs on left
turns, hoist the left side of the vehicle. If the leak
occurs on right turns, hoist the right side of the vehi-
cle. For hoisting recommendations refer to Group 0,
Lubrication and Maintenance, General Information
section.

WATER LEAK DETECTION

To detect a water leak point-of-entry, do a water

test and watch for water tracks or droplets forming
on the inside of the vehicle. If necessary, remove inte-
rior trim covers or panels to gain visual access to the
leak area. If the hose cannot be positioned without
being held, have someone help do the water test.

Some water leaks must be tested for a considerable

length of time to become apparent. When a leak
appears, find the highest point of the water track or
drop. The highest point usually will show the point of
entry. After leak point has been found, repair the
leak and water test to verify that the leak has
stopped.

BODY

23 - 1

Locating the entry point of water that is leaking

into a cavity between panels can be difficult. The
trapped water may splash or run from the cavity,
often at a distance from the entry point. Most water
leaks of this type become apparent after accelerating,
stopping, turning, or when on an incline.

MIRROR INSPECTION METHOD

When a leak point area is visually obstructed, use

a suitable mirror to gain visual access. A mirror can
also be used to deflect light to a limited-access area
to assist in locating a leak point.

BRIGHT LIGHT LEAK TEST METHOD

Some water leaks in the luggage compartment can

be detected without water testing. Position the vehi-
cle in a brightly lit area. From inside the darkened
luggage compartment inspect around seals and body
seams. If necessary, have a helper direct a drop light
over the suspected leak areas around the luggage
compartment. If light is visible through a normally
sealed location, water could enter through the open-
ing.

PRESSURIZED LEAK TEST METHOD

When a water leak into the passenger compart-

ment cannot be detected by water testing, pressurize
the passenger compartment and soap test exterior of
the vehicle. To pressurize the passenger compart-
ment, close all doors and windows, start engine, and
set heater control to high blower in HEAT position. If
engine can not be started, connect a charger to the
battery to ensure adequate voltage to the blower.
With interior pressurized, apply dish detergent solu-
tion to suspected leak area on the exterior of the
vehicle. Apply detergent solution with spray device or
soft bristle brush. If soap bubbles occur at a body
seam, joint, seal or gasket, the leak entry point could
be at that location.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - WIND NOISE

Wind noise is the result of most air leaks. Air leaks

can be caused by poor sealing, improper body compo-
nent alignment, body seam porosity, or missing plugs
in the engine compartment or door hinge pillar areas.
All body sealing points should be airtight in normal
driving conditions. Moving sealing surfaces will not
always seal airtight under all conditions. At times,
side glass or door seals will allow wind noise to be
noticed in the passenger compartment during high
cross winds. Over compensating on door or glass
adjustments to stop wind noise that occurs under
severe conditions can cause premature seal wear and
excessive closing or latching effort. After a repair pro-
cedure has been performed, test vehicle to verify
noise has stopped before returning vehicle to use.

Wind noise can also be caused by improperly fitted

exterior moldings or body ornamentation. Loose
moldings can flutter, creating a buzzing or chattering
noise. An open cavity or protruding edge can create a
whistling or howling noise. Inspect the exterior of the
vehicle to verify that these conditions do not exist.

VISUAL INSPECTION BEFORE TESTS

Verify that floor and body plugs are in place and

body components are aligned and sealed. If compo-
nent alignment or sealing is necessary, refer to the
appropriate section of this group for proper proce-
dures.

ROAD TESTING WIND NOISE

(1) Drive the vehicle to verify the general location

of the wind noise.

(2) Apply 50 mm (2 in.) masking tape in 150 mm

(6 in.) lengths along weatherstrips, weld seams or
moldings. After each length is applied, drive the vehi-
cle. If noise goes away after a piece of tape is applied,
remove tape, locate, and repair defect.

POSSIBLE CAUSE OF WIND NOISE

• Moldings standing away from body surface can

catch wind and whistle.

• Gaps in sealed areas behind overhanging body

flanges can cause wind-rushing sounds.

• Misaligned movable components.

• Missing or improperly installed plugs in pillars.

• Weld burn through holes.

STANDARD PROCEDURE - BODY LUBRICATION

All mechanisms and linkages should be lubricated

when necessary. This will maintain ease of operation
and provide protection against rust and excessive
wear. The weatherstrip seals should be lubricated to
prolong their life as well as to improve door sealing.

All applicable exterior and interior vehicle operat-

ing mechanisms should be inspected and cleaned.
Pivot/sliding contact areas on the mechanisms should
then be lubricated.

(1) When necessary, lubricate the operating mech-

anisms with the specified lubricants.

(2) Apply silicone lubricant to a cloth and wipe it

on door seals to avoid over-spray that can soil pas-
senger’s clothing.

(3) Before

applying

lubricant,

the

component

should be wiped clean. After lubrication, any excess
lubricant should be removed.

(4) The hood latch, latch release mechanism, latch

striker, and safety latch should be lubricated period-
ically.

(5) The door lock cylinders should be lubricated

twice each year (preferably autumn and spring).

23 - 2

BODY

BODY (Continued)

• Spray a small amount of lock cylinder lubricant

directly into the lock cylinder.

• Apply a small amount to the key and insert it

into the lock cylinder.

• Rotate it to the locked position and then back to

the unlocked position several times.

• Remove the key. Wipe the lubricant from it with

a clean cloth to avoid soiling of clothing.

STANDARD PROCEDURE - HEAT STAKING

(1) Remove trim panel.
(2) Bend or move the trim panel components at

the heat staked joints. Observe the heat staked loca-
tions and/or component seams for looseness.

(3) Heat stake the components.

(a) If the heat staked or component seam loca-

tion is loose, hold the two components tightly

together and using a soldering gun with a flat tip,
melt

the

material

securing

the

components

together. Do not over heat the affected area, dam-
age to the exterior of the trim panel may occur.

(b) If the heat staked material is broken or miss-

ing, use a hot glue gun to apply new material to
the area to be repaired. The panels that are being
heat staked must be held together while the apply-
ing the glue. Once the new material is in place, it
may be necessary to use a soldering gun to melt
the newly applied material. Do not over heat the
affected area, damage to the exterior of the trim
panel may occur.
(4) Allow the repaired area to cool and verify the

repair.

(5) Install trim panel.

BODY

23 - 3

BODY (Continued)

Content .. 751 752 753 754 ..