2002 quad cab v8.
hey guys i just got this truck and as always i bought used and there's some issues..so when i first got it i didn't notice anything really wrong except the steering is really loose.but it was cold outside when i got it and it seemd fine. it made some noise when turning the wheel after id drive it for 10-15 mins or so.. no noise when driving straight or backing straight. engine runs fine. i know it has to be steering components maybe.
soo... now that its better weather outside (warmer) it seems to happen faster and worse. the steering comes really loose after i drive in the heat and today when i got home there was some clunks from the front end (backwards or forwards) when turning and there was a wierd smell from the wheel area which leads me to believe its gotta be wheel bearings or ball joints or something that would smell wierdafter it heats up due to bad friction.
anyway.. im taking in my truck tomorrow cause its not safe to drive it like this i dont think but i wanted to get some input if anyone has had the same issues.
thanks guys. take care

 

moe in wichita ks
does this model have a flex coupling in the steering shaft? just a thought

 

honestly im not sure if it has one.... i mean im pretty sure that it needs breaks as its alittle rough on breaking but the steering thing is definatly i think something from a component around the wheel area. just cause it smells like a burning from in there by the time i get home from going somewhere. im hopeing there's no tranny issues but i don't think so.

 

moe in wichita in ks
maybe you need someone that knows steering systems to take a look at it. if you can find someone thats good it would be worth afew bucks. could you have two things wrong?

 

What you have said sounds like my truck, I got new ball Joints last friday and the stearing is stiff and does not loosen up. These Trucks have a 100,000 mile warenty on the ball joints, I found this out by luck when i had the dodge dealer inspect the upper ball joints.

 

so i got it back from the shop. they couldn't find anything wrong. inspected the suspension and says it looks great.. breaks are new all around he says... not sure if bleed propely but that wouldn't cause the issue im hearing however would account for the cushy break pedal pressure. but he also couldn't get it to make the sound it does for me as it was pretty cold the last few days here so the mechanic said just drive it and bring it in when its doing it and he'll go for a ride with me. then we can go from there

bad part now is that i know suspension is good now so im think'n could be a bigger issue yikes! we'll see ill keep posted.

 

hey guys .. so i took my truck to the mechanic today as it was make'n the noise after driving for a bit. he got out and listend to it in a parking lot while i was backing up slowly and going forward and it sounds like its from the rear differential. he said he actually used to work for chrysler and said there were alot of issues with noise from these posi rear ends. im takeing in tomorrow to just try changing the fluid in the rear and make sure there's friction modifier in it since i see alot of posts on here from people saying they had same issues till they changed the fluid. the cover on the back looks like it hasn't come off in a long time so im think'n its def due for a change. we'll see i hope that's all it is if not then its a bearing probably gone as it only happens at slow speeds while turning. nothing wrong otherwise. anyway ill keep you all posted..

 

hey guys. so i took in last week and had them put in the friction modifier with the diff fluid change. noise hasn't appeard again yet. im hopeing that's all it was. ill say thanks now cause if it wasn't for this forum and others posting about the additive then i may have been ripped off into having to do an actual rebuild on my diff. this forum rocks!!! thanks again
derek.

 

ya, its amazing what the friction modifier will do. and if you dont put it in, you will burn out your clutch packs fast.