drafalske

Hi guys. I just noticed a vibration in my truck. I only feel it for a couple seconds just as I come to a stop - like 5mph down to zero. Never while accelerating or decelerating or on turns, at least, not yet. Seems to be coming from the front. It's very subtle and feels not unlike driving over rumble strips on the side of the highway. Definitely feels "rotational", but very low frequency, not like a hum or whine or anything.
I know it's probably the u-joins or hubs, but what should be checked first?
Truck is a 2001 2500 HO, 4x4, 141K miles. I've only owned it a couple years and I can tell you I have not changed the ujoints, ball joints, or hubs... so their condition is pretty much unknown.
Thanks for any help!
Dave

drafalske

Yeah, so this problem has gotten a LOT worse.
I've noticed if I allow the truck to coast to a stop, the vibration is very bad. If I tap the brakes it seems to lessen the effect.
I put the ol' girl up on jacks last night and the front axle u-joints seem fine - no binding or anything. They are Spicers, so I'm assuming they're original. The hubs, likewise, seem fine. The ball joints, on the other hand, are waaay gone. I've got probably 3/8" play in any direction. So they're getting replaced and since I'll have the axle shafts out anyway I'm going to replace those u-joints as well. With 141k miles, I figure I might as well.

D