97 4x4 1500 ram, 110,000 miles
I can be going straight down the road, not turning at all, and if I hit
a bump, about half the time I get a grinding noise coming from the
right front of the truck. Should I assume that it is the universal
joint going bad, or could there be something else causing the problem?
I'm not afraid to take on the job, but is there a website that shows
some good pictures on what to expect?
High Sierra - 28 Feb 2005 16:11 GMT
> 97 4x4 1500 ram, 110,000 miles
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> I'm not afraid to take on the job, but is there a website that shows
> some good pictures on what to expect?
Could be a bad brake caliper. My 96 makes a similar noise sometimes and with the
wheel off you can see the caliper moving.
Not saying you have the same problem but it could be.
Mine started like yours in that it usually took a bumpy road to start it making
that noise. Now it makes the noise more often.
One way to diagnose this is if the noise stops with slight pressure on the brake
pedal.
My first step (once the weather warms up a bit) is going to be to knock all the
rust off of the rotor to see if that helps.
I hope this information helps.
George
paulyman_ca - 01 Mar 2005 02:38 GMT
> > 97 4x4 1500 ram, 110,000 miles
> >
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> George
dude, i have a dodge ram and know the sound very well i have replaced
3 universals on my truck, it is possible you are having the same
problem. if you have any mechanical experience you could do it
yourself,email me if you have any questions paulyman_ca AT @ AT
hotmail.com
Woody - 01 Mar 2005 13:10 GMT
>97 4x4 1500 ram, 110,000 miles
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>I'm not afraid to take on the job, but is there a website that shows
>some good pictures on what to expect?
Find a place off pavement (gravel, grass whatever), stop and put it in
4WD. Then go slow forward or back with the steering to one side and
then the other. A bad front universal will usually complain quite a
bit, often a snapping sound.
Woody; 95FXDS