Pretty sure the noise is coming from the driver's side front suspension somewhere. Upper control arm? Ball joints? Shocks/mounts? I don't know. Basically, it creaks like a door in a scary movie when I turn the steering wheel (power steering fluid is good and no leaks I can see), and when I hit even the slightest bump it sounds like two people having fun on an old mattress with bouncy springs. The noise is definitely coming from the suspension compression/movement. The shock is not weeping (though I do have four brand new Rancho 5000's downstairs waiting to go on), nor are any of the boots that I can tell. No unusual steering play or vibrations.

So, thoughts from just this description of a noise?

 

It was the lower ball joint when mine did this.
Al.

 

Thanks much. I should be able to get an indication of this if I jack it up and try and wiggle the wheel, right? Also, is this a difficult DYI fix? I'll have access to a fully stocked shop with a lift.

 

Yeah. Good test for the lower BJ is to pry on it as you suggest.
You could also puncture the rubber boot and push in a spray tube from a wd40 can and spray a bit into it.
If like mine the BJ was not worn just dry, the squeak went away on spraying. This isolated that it was indeed the lower BJ.
You will need a ball joint press which you can hire to press out and in the new lower BJ's.
Look at this youtube video. It shows you quite well what you'll need to do.
Hope this helps bud.
Al.

 

Thanks for the video. I'll check it out. I appreciate the help.

 

Hey no problems bud.
When i did my lower ball joints, i placed the new ones in a freezer for 8 hrs or so.
I then heated up the lower ball joint hole in the lower control arm with a torch and then fitted the super cold new ball joint into it and it literally fell into place.
Obviously don't heat the lower control arm to an orange red lol. Just apply a little heat.
Al.

 

One more question: Assuming it is the lower ball joint, is this something that can/will catastrophically fail if I continue to drive it between now and when the part arrives (love being an American living in Europe... have to wait for everything you need or pay out the rear for a part that comes in an unmarked white box)? I'm driving it as little as possible right now, but I do have places I need to go every now and then, and I have my kids in the truck when I pick them up from school. Thanks, again.

 

Well tbh, there's always the potential for a big failure bud.
I drove around with mine for quite a while. But mine was a dry joint and had no play in it.
But it's not safe to do so really.
Just make this replacement a priority and if when you pry up on the wheel and see movement, I'd definitely take it off the road, until you can get it sorted.
Can't put a price on you your family and other peoples lives mate.
Take care. Any issues either post up or pm me.
Bye.... Where in Europe are you?
Al.

 

Thanks. As said, I'm trying to drive it as minimally as possible. I'm over in Germany; about an hour south'ish of Frankfurt.

 

I've found local dodge dealerships here in the UK can get me parts in days, usually from Italy and Belgium. Ok, little bit expensive but, small fry compared to a hurt family or totalled truck.
We're only talking 20-30 dollars extra per ball joint max.
I'd personally bite the bullet. Get em ordered and get get her done
Al.