05 2500 short bed 4x4 6 speed w/cummins , the only mod is the Banks MONSTER EXHAUST just so everybody knows what truck i drive.About 8000 miles ago noticed a slite squeak the squeak almost has a rotating rythym to it does not change with engine speed.It is most noticeable at about 15mph any faster than that and the engine and road noise drown it out.It only seemed to do when it was coll out.Now at 27000 mile it on is more noticeable but only when does it when its warm outside.Oh by the way brakes have no effect on it,Clutch in gear or out of gear has no effect on it.and seems like it is coming from the front of truck.Checked diff fluid and all is good.Some one please help me before I strngle my local service manager.He and his tech physically heard the noise, I drove with them and showed when it did it and when it doesnt.He puts it in the garage and one of his techs compliments on the nice banks decal that is on the back window.I think nothing of it till I get a call about a 1/2 hour later that the noise is coming from the Quote" all the after market banks stuff that I threw at the truck".I'm not worried about warranty there is another dealership in my town.I Just need to help them diagnose the problem. Any help is greatly aprreciated.

 

You said that it doesn't seem to be related to engine speed. Is it related to ground speed?

The first 2 things that come to mind are the serpentine belt and the driveline u-joints. If it's consistently reproducible, you could remove the belt and run it for a couple of minutes to see if that eliminated it. The u-joint noise should be related to ground speed.

Hope that this give you a place to start.

 

Hope your friendly neighborhood dealer didn't flag your VIN in the system for aftermarket-parts induced warranty denial.

As you describe the symptoms - it can't be the engine, transmission or brakes.

It's either the U-joint(s) or the brakes, unless there's a mod on the truck you haven't mentioned. Make sure the driveshaft carrier bearing is still tight.

 

I was worried about the same thing that day so in the crossfire of everything I went to the other dealer in town and had him check the vin and he said there was flags,and even set up an appointment.He agreed that the noise was some sort of bearing sound.The truck is bone stock except the exhaust.
I thought that the carrier bearing was only on long beds?

 

That's right - you have a short bed; I've never owned on in my life, and of course the factory manual doesn't make it clear... just takes a sec to peek underneath, though

Have you made sure the tires are balanced? That's about the only other problem I can think of that matches your symptom description - otherwise, U-joint(s)!

 

Can they flag you for just having a big exaust? A.K.A. fixing one of the Dodge messups? (Girlyman Exaust)

 

The dealer has to prove a warranteed part actually failed as a direct cause of an aftermarket device or alteration. There is a federal law protecting car/truck owners on this matter. But, of course, if the problem is truely related to the aftermarket goodies you have installed, then they don't have to warrantee it.
Dealers will try to bluff their way out of warrantees this way, but don't let them bully you!

 

Yeah - that's why a good dealer is worth their weight in gold!