silverbullet02

I noticed a few hundred miles ago while I was on vacation a clicking coming from the front left of the truck. It gets faster and slower with wheel speed. Does it under braking, acceleration, 4wd, 2wd, etc. Can't make it do it or not do it. Does it on smooth or rough roads. It'll do it up to about 40ish mph then can't hear it any more. I jacked the front end up when I got home and wiggled the tires like one would when checking trailer wheel bearings, and the front left has slop in it, I can wiggle it up and down when pulling on top and bottom of tire. Right side is solid and tight. Truck is completely stock with 39,500 on it, and I stopped by the dealer just for the heck of it and all I got told was I was over warranty mileage and that's it. They were even too busy to have a mechanic talk to me. After thinking about it and talking to a bunch of friends, I'm pretty sure it's the wheel bearing. Does that make sense? Anybody else had issues like this? If so, how bad of a job is it to replace? As of right now I'm gonna stop driving it because it's just not right. Hard to believe a truck that's less than 3 years old and less than 40k on it can have an issue like this. I don't use it that hard, never sees off road. Anyway, all responses are welcome, if you need any more info let me know. Thanks!

Brian

Skyd Ram

Sounds like ball joints as far as the tire wiggling. The constant clicking is probably an axle u joint. Both of these items are known to go out between 40-80k. I did ujoints on mine at 46k.

dodge35000

Clicking is most likely axle u-joints. Check them by turning the front driveshaft by hand and looking for movement at the u-joint.

As far as the movement in the front wheel, you need to see where it is coming from. With the front end off the ground, have a friend grab the wheel from the top and bottom. Try to rock the wheel back-and-forth and look for movemant at the ball joints and also at the wheel bearings. The places where you see movement are most likely items that will require replacement.

silverbullet02

Yep, you guys are right, bad u-joint in drivers side axle and the upper ball joint has a little play. Seems pretty amazing to be having these problems already. I run my truck pretty easy too, and no offroading either. Oh well, it is what it is, so now time to start researching recommended ball joints and u-joints. Thanks!

Brian

Skyd Ram

My ujoints went bad around 45k and I'm waiting for the ball joints to fail.

I use and recommend Spicers for the axle joints and Carli for the ball joints.