02ramowner

02 2500 4wd. i recently noticed a noise on the drivers side front of my truck. only hear it with the windows down and also only happens between 45 and 55 mph. sounds like a grinding noise or a slapping sound, no vibration. I took the wheel off this evening to check it but nothing seemed obvious. i know this isnt something that can be diagnosed with just the description that i gave but i was wondering if anyone may have ever had any problem like this themselves. any ideas are greatly appreciated.

2500Ram

With that description I'll vote for front ujoints. The best way I can describe the sound is if you've ever driven over an open metal bridge. Not necessarily a vibration but a sound you can't mistake.

Good luck.

smokeyram

grease the axel u joints, ( if there aftermarket ). strange as it sounds, after i tore my whole front end down a few weeks back, changed every part imaginable. I noticed on the tire, one of the balancing weights was loose. chances are that was my noise all along.

02ramowner

i appreciate it . i will check the u-joints to see if i can grease them. can you not grease the factory u-joints? if it is the u-joints do you think it would only do it at a certain speed like that.

2500Ram

Yes. It's all about balance. Once the drive shaft is out of round (bad ujoint) it hums at only a specific speed will be fine above and below that speed. Mine both times were at 65-70mph. Your comment about slapping or grinding still confuses me though.

U-joints are pretty much a hum or buzz unless they are so far gone, then you can get a grinding sound but I wouldn't be driving anything that gave me a grinding sound at 45mph.

02ramowner

it sounds sort of like the dust cover on the rear of the brake rotor is rubbing. thats what it sounds like but i dont believe thats actually what it is. its not so severe that im worried about driving it, although it is a little annoying. its my only vehicle so i dont really have a choice. anyway when i find the problem i will post it. thanks all.