I have an '03, 3500 that just turned up 80,000 KM (50,000 miles) Last winter when I drove off road a couple of times I heard a sound coming from the front end that sounded like a rock was in the front hub cab bouncing around. Inconsistent noise and the only time I heard it was when I drove on a bumpy road. Recently while driving on the pavement, there seems to be a knocking sound coming from the front end that co-incides with the rotation of the wheels. When I notice it the most is when I'm cruising along above 30 miles per hour and then coast down a hill. At first it only happened once in a while but it's getting worse. I can't say for sure it makes a difference if I turn left or right at all. It definately knocks at the same rate the wheel rotates. Taking it in to get checked out but am looking for suggestions. I was in an accident over a year ago and there was $12,000 damage to my front end. (accident was not my fault by the way) I'm thinking perhaps this might be the result of the accident. My first thought was a wheel bearing.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Pull over and take the rock out of the front hub cap. It reallly sounds like my U-Joint when the cups ran dry. I suggest if one side is bad, do both sides in the front. Some folks had their U-Joints go out earlier than your's, some later. IIRC, mine went into the 70,000 mile range and I still have my original driveshaft U-Joints at 130,000 miles.

 

Yes, perhaps it is U-Joints. Thanks for that. By the way....I actually did look for a rock in my hub cap. You just never know.