I have had to replace the water pump twice in a month on Dads dakota. both looked like they were leaking from the shaft behind the pulley, I am kind of unsure that two differant pumps would leak in the same place after being on for a week and a half. Is there something i should be looking at that would cause these pumps to fail? Truck is 4x4 with the 5.2 in it. This pump is a real pain to change, and really don't want to do it again.

Thanks

Paul

Did you get all the air out of the cooling system when you replaced the pump?

Besides proper venting check for proper belt alignment. Then check for proper tension on the belt and for any bad idler pullies. I assume are using a good mixture of anti freeze and water. Make sure all grit and grime are flushed out.
The parts store giving you a wrong size new belt is common. Check length against the old one.