Archived squeal/screeching noise from front

[bonito]

I need some help, please!



My '05 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD 4x4 is making all of the sudden some screeching noises. It seems to come from the front, but may be middle too. I have change and checked the front axel diff fluid, which is good. It seems to be the most at 20 mp/h then I have a hard time hearing it with windows open and the diesel sound. The sound, sounds like something round scratching, but with a slow pace, like only 2x per second. I can not tell if the frequency changes with speed, sorry.

All I can think of is axel bearings or something with the front drive shaft. (Even with the differential put in neutral coasting at 20 mph its still does the noise).

What about brake pads? Could they make such laud noises?



Since I live in SoCal and like a lot of ppl we are broke and I need my daily $5 p/gallon commuter.



Thanks for any input.

 

[Gene Arnold]

I don't know if Dodge is the same, but GM products have a brake pad wear indicator that really squeals when the pads get down to a certain point. They are just light weight metal pieces that contact the rotors when the pads get worn. They are intended to be loud and irritating for obvious reasons.



Gene

 

[p-Bar]

could be pads . try getting on a stretch of road where you can speed up to 50 or 60 and slow down with out putting on the brakes. This will eliminate the brakes if the sqeak is still there.

 

[articdodge]

my gess, a u-joint, I know check them any way sound travels every where