I have a 2004.5 Ram 2500 2x4 with the 6-speed trans. with 92,000 miles. A couple of weeks ago a strange noise began coming from my truck occationally while braking. It's a high pitch sound and It sounds like an air leak, similar to an air brake or maybe like an old school steam train horn. It only lasts for a split second when I hear the sound. I only hear it when braking and it doesn't do it very often. One time it'll do it when I first hit the brakes, then the next it might do it when I'm almost stopped. It doesn't do it everytime I drive either. I haven't heard the last 2 days. Driving through town, it may do it once, or it might do it 3-4 times. I've never heard anything like it. Can anyone help identify the source?

I don't have any engine mods except for a turbo boost gauge and a pyrometer gauge. The truck runs great, brakes feel great, and no codes are showing.

 

I have what might be a similar noise, it starts as a sort of medium pitch howling, usually when accelerating, appears to be coming from perhaps the rear brakes....if I tap the brake pedal it sometimes goes away, sometimes it just goes away by itself, I first thought it might be a rear end problem..

Cold weather seemed to make it worse, 35 F and lower when first taking off on a cold morning.

It has been going on for years, i just forget about it as it never got any worse all these years...

I inspected the rear end on the last fluid change and the gears looked perfect...

 

The noise I have isn't constant. It only happens occationally when I hit the brakes. I can't tell where it's coming from, but it sounds more like its coming from the front. It's not a squeal or moan or any other typical noise you get from braking. It sounds like a burst of air. Maybe the waiste gate on the turbo is going bad or the dump valve on the Cummins exhaust brake is dumping air. I can't make the noise happen, it only does it when it wants to.

 

It's not cold weather either. I live in California and its still in the high 90's where I live.

 

The noise is becoming more commen. It's not from breaking. It happens under any condition like; turning, stopping, coasting, smooth road, bumpy road. It's coming from the front end, and now sounds kind of like a thin piece of metal, like a heat shield, vibrating. But it only lasts for a second when it happens.

Does anyone have any clue what this might be??!

 

I had the same noise but it was more constant on mine...it was one of the lines (hoses) coming from the hydroboost unit. Replaced the hose and all was good....just another suggestion to check.

 

I will look into that. Thanks!

 

Wear tabs?

 

On what?

 

Brakes

 

I had a similar problem last year. Couldn't figure it out. Finally gave in and took it to the dealer and it turned out the be a small clear line off the hydroboost. It looks just like that clear water line for the refrigerator.

that or like shorts said, make sure you got enough pad left on the brakes.

 

I'm going to go with the hydroboost line. I'll check the breaks too, but the noise happens even while driving and not touching the breaks.

Thanks for the info guys.