front end noise

[dcherill]

my first ram, 2003, HO 4x4 long bed, and silver, I hear that is the best color for 03's. just got it in June.



I have this weird front end noise, and it appears to come from the front axle.

it only really is audible when turning, around 25mph and under. It is speed specific, not RPM, so I don't think it is the engine. It is a pretty loud clanking noise, almost metal on metal. U-Joints don't seem to have any play. if I reach under and grab the front axle output shaft, inboard of the u-joint, I can sort of jiggle the output shaft, and it makes a similar noise on the axle housing. is this what is causing my noise, and what died to cause this noise? I haven't jacked the truck to jiggle the front wheel to check for hub or ball joint issues yet, but I feel that it is in the ouput shaft area. any ideas? the vehicle has a plow, so I think that may have helped cause this failure. any ideas would be a great help.

 

[bighammer]

Jack the front end and spin the tires by hand with the wheel turned. I'm guessing you will feel a bad U Joint.

 

[Spooled-up]

I'd guess Axle U-Joint also.

Here's a good thread about how to change them or at least get to them.

 

[RailroadJim]

I don't know about silver being the "best" color

 

[Slow Six]

I think it sounds like u-joints. They go dry and start binding up before there is a lot of play in them. As mentioned above take some time a do a search. There is a lot of info on this problem.