1999 3.9L Engine noise/Braking ?

[Riser]

I'm getting a periodic rattle sound coming from under the hood. I can sit in neutral, no noise. I put it into drive (automatic) and I hear a rattle noise that goes for a couple seconds, cuts out for a few seconds, comes back on. It seems to happen less when I have the vents/air/defrost off. I replaced the belt with one of those Gatorback non-stretch no-squeal belts. It seems to be working well.
I checked the forums out and the closest I came to was the timing belt, but that appears to be a constant noise. This sounds more like a pulley might be rattling out a bearing in the cooling fan went out?
I'm going to check to make sure everything is tight under the hood tonight.

With the front brakes, ABS, I sometimes, maybe 1 out of 100 brakes, I get an awkward pulusing and weak braking. If I let off the brake, push it down again it goes away. Any thoughts?

Anyone having problems with the front end ball joints or odd clicking when doing sharp turns (into a parking space or U-Turn)? I hear the ball joints tend to go out every 33,000 miles or so, but I just get a click/clack once in a while. I've had it checked out twice at shops (never the dealer) and they've told me it was an expected noise.

Thanks for the help in advance.

[theFREAKnasty82]

There was a recall for ball joints going bad on Dakotas between 97-01 (also for Durangos). Might wanna go to the dealer or a service shop and get those ball joints looked at ASAP.

[BamaDodgenMX]

Check your alternator for the rattle, that's always been a periodic problem for me.

[Davejb]

I'm amazed at the level of misinformation on some of these posts. The recall is for 2000-2003.5 Dakotas and Durangos. The ball jounts would NOT cause a rattle in the engine compartment, especially with the truck sitting still.

[BleedDodge]

Yeah I hear that.

[tah45]

had to replace the ball joints(upper and lower) at my own expense, that caused a rattle over bumps not idling. My idling rattle was from bad fan. fan now sounds like an airplane.....hmmmm

[tah45]

sorry, have 99 myself

[theFREAKnasty82]

Originally Posted by tah45

had to replace the ball joints(upper and lower) at my own expense, that caused a rattle over bumps not idling. My idling rattle was from bad fan. fan now sounds like an airplane.....hmmmm

that sound you hear comes from the fan clutch. Usually it disengages after running for about 2 to 3 minutes. If it goes on longer than that, as in it makes that loud, heavy sound all the time, you have a bad fan clutch.