2000 dakota with a 5.9 engine, I have another noisey water pump on this truck. this will be pump #5. only last about 2 1/2 -3 years. truck only has 106,000 miles on it. I use NEW not reman pumps, 3 different brands, tensioner is nice and smooth as is the fan clutch, and the fan has no damage.I drive easy,but it seems that every time I hit 80 mph for some reason, the pump goes south.
anyone else go through water pumps?? or am I the lucky one.

Any ideas what to look for that can be taking these things out?

I did get the last pump from autozone,so at least I have a warranty this time,I've checked idler and tensioner pulley, NO noise.I know replacement parts are not very reliable today,but man, this is nuts.

No idea, I know the factory units went around 60k. My 5.2 Dakota lost it's at 40k. But the replacement was still fine when I sold it at 140k. Sounds like you have an alighnment issues or something.

I agree you have a problem somewhere.I replaced a bunch at work and on our Durango.Never had problems.We used Advanced remans at work and they lasted.Rocky

The stamped steel impellor of the factory Magnum 5.9 water pump has a known issue with "cavitation damage" if an incorrect antifreeze mixture is used.

Years ago NASCAR cooling guru Howard Stewart of Winston Salem NC answered a question on his forum about Magnum water pumps by writing that in his opinion the GNB brand water pumps were superior.

I still have the original factory water pump on my 1995 5.9 V8 with 200,000 miles, but i have been running Evans NPG coolant for a little more than 100,000 miles.
The Evans Nonaqueous Propylene Glycol is advertised as being highly resistant to cavitation and protective against metal corrosion, but the NPG's lower "Heat Capacity" rating can only carry away about 70% of the engine heat that each gallon per minute of pure water can.

What antifreeze are you using? The pink Hoat or DexCool? It's been my experience that they don't have enough lubrication properties for the old style Magnum pumps. Stick with the old style green Prestone aka Ethylene Glycol.