Front end noise on bump

[joe308]

A few months ago, I noticed a bump sound coming from the front drivers side when the suspension compresses from a dip in the road. I've only noticed this when moving slowly and it seems to happen when the truck has been sitting and then it's ok for the rest of the day. I replaced the stock shocks with Bilsteins last year and they seem to be tight. The truck has never been hit and other than the shocks. Two things have been done since new - I installed a MagHytec front diff cover (did not losen any linkage) and front driver side ujount was replacement by the dealer. Could this noise be a tie rod or bushing or do you think the shock might be bad? Could it be the front diff cover even though I don't see any marks on it?. I have 60k miles currently. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[MickeyMiller]

I had a drivers side 'bump' sound when rolling off a curb (118K miles)... just replaced the ball joints (Carli uppers, Moog lowers) and the sound is gone. BTW... there was 1/2" of up/down play in my old drivers side upper original ball joint, once they were removed! Put your truck on a lift or on jack stands with the wheels off the ground. Use a pry bar to lift up on the steering knuckle at the ball joint... If you get visible play (I could lift my knuckles ~3/16" with everything bolted in place) time for new joints!

 

[joe308]

Thanks. I just found a thread on TDR about the Maghytec front cover hitting as slow speeds on some of the Dodges. I've not checked my diff cover for signs of any contact yet, buy this may well be the ball joints since it feels like the driver side only. How much did the parts cost and did you replace them on both sides at the same time?

 

[seafish]

Took my truck in to the local garage for tire rotation and asked them to check the front end cause the other day I heard a thump going around a turn on the highway while driving and I had NOT hit a pothole. Mechanic says the balljoints are loose. Going to take it up to the dealership for warranty repair. Only have 45,000 on the truck, but some people have had to replace them even sooner. Unfotunately since its under the extended warranty, I guess that they'll just replace them with the same old cr*p.

 

[joe308]

What the warranty coverage for ball joints? My truck is an 03 (in service date 2/04) with 60k miles.

 

[seafish]

What the warranty coverage for ball joints? My truck is an 03 (in service date 2/04) with 60k miles.

The Max Care extended warranty which I bought from Chrysler before fy factory warrant ran out covers the ball joints. I bought the 7 year, 100k mile, figuring it would cover the ball joints twice, HVAC blend door at last once, and injectors when (if) they go out. They already fixed the HVAC once, as well as did the 08 steering upgrade. , and now they are going to do the ball joints. If the balljoints are a $900 repair, then the warranty has just payed for itself in less then 10k miles. Still wish I good get the dealer to install Carlis or Spicers, instead of the crappy oem ball joints.

 

[steved]

Also, check your lower shock mounts...

 

[dan.poitras]

Check your stabilizer end links (look like small tie rod ends)

Also the upper ball joints are more like a king pin (they do not supprt any weight)

 

[BDaugherty]

My buddy's 07 had a clunk in the front end that was driving him nuts. It turned out to be a loose trac bar bolt allowing the trac bar to wallow out the upper mount hole.