I recently had the u joints and tie rod ends replaced. Immediately after that, I began to hear a creeking when I slowed down, and at low speeds. At first I thought it was the u joint, but then I realized that if I slipped the truck into neutral and crept along I could still hear it.

My thoughts are ball joints due to this sound, and the fact the truck wanders a bit on the highway, and is pretty scary when hitting bumps on the highway as well.

If not the balljoint, maybe a wheel bearing? My first thought was the balljoint simply because they are notorious on our trucks. I will try to jack up the truck and wiggle the wheels to test for the bearing. Is there a similar test to do for the balljoint?

Thanks!

 

Balljoints usually "pop" not creak. And if you put your truck in neutral, the driveshaft still spins cause the rear wheel will drive it, but your tranny will just freewheel. I would think more likea defective tie rod, bad wheel bearing, or bad steering shaft. Jack her up and check it out!

 

True, I didn't think about the fact the shaft is still spinning. That is a brain fart. You'd swear I never worked on a car before haha.

Unfortunately I am still (10 months later) slowly moving stuff from my folks' home in MA to my place in CT. I only have a small tool box of tools, but not my jackstands or jacks.

I do hear a "pop" sometimes while stearing. Which also reminds me, it seems to be tougher to turn to the LEFT and easier to the RIGHT. Now, when the wheel bearing went on my Neon, it growled when turning left and not as much to the right, and it was the right bearing that was going out. Does this principle hold true for balljoints??

 

A week ago or so my dad's Ram had a real loud creaking coming fromthe Front left whenever he'd hit bumps and stuff. Turns out it was the ball joints. If you push down on the truck you can hear it.

 

Dont forget that you do have that trusty little jack that came witht the truck! Just be careful on where you place it, and do not crawl under the truck with no jackstands.