Hi all, this is my first dodge, bought it a few weeks ago and just started dricing it. My only complaint is a loud popping noise that is only noticeable at low speeds, seems especially prominent when turning rt. I've read a few things about common control arm and ball joint issues, and maybe a steering column complaint or two. The noise i'm hearing doesnt sound like the klunk of a sway bar and it doesnt rattle. It definitely is a distinct loud thud or pop and doesnt seem to happen over bumps only.

I am brining it to work with me tomorrow and one of the techs said he would look ar it. We are not a dodge dealership though and I am not sure how in depth he can go. So if its a steering column issue, are the parts serviceable or do you have to buyit as an assembly? If its a control arm or ball joint problem, are the ball joints only sold woth the control arms, and are the ball joints/control arms available aftermarket? Are they any better than the factory replacement from
Dodge?
Is there any other 'common' issue that could be making such a noise? There is no squeaking, slihjt vibration at moderate speed but the tires do not look like they have been rotated at the appropriate interval.

Thanks in advance foe any help
Or suggestions. Sorry for any spellimg errors, iphone isnt the easiest to type on.

 

I would look at your control arm bushings, they get worn and soon if conditions are just right... metal on metal. That makes a loud pop/ clunk sound when flexed. Another thing to look at is if the control arm bolts are loose. Pull forward and brake hard, then back up and do the same. Loud clunks were my bolts loose. Fixed that and the "pops" were the right side lower bushings worn completely out. Good luck.

 

Ok thanks. It seems I was too hasty in my thought that it was in the front end. Driving with the windows down there are definitely gremlins in the engine. It will lose power and backfire for a couple seconds at low speed, low rpm. It's intermittent and doesn't seem affected when it's warm. The MIL is not on, I have been driving it around the last two days trying to get the monitors set because the battery was dead when I bought it. I'm going to try it again tomorrow. Hopefully it will be ready. thanks for the advice though regarding the suspension issues, I'm sure I'll need it eventually.

That is, if the noise isn't stemming from looming engine failure. I will be pretty disappointed if my first Dodge doesn't make it past a week of me driving it. It's a really nice little truck, fun to drive, rides nice, and it isn't as granny as the 4cyl Ranger I had.

Wish me luck. The truck only has 70k on it so I figured it should have a little more life left to it.

 

I crap you not, when I was doing a brake job on my uncles POS saturn, I found a 16oz soda bottle wedged and melted in the caliper between the dust shield and rotor. It made a horrible noise when driving. You might answer some of your questions by taking a few minutes and messing around and getting a good look at everything just to take it in and put things in perspective.

Good luck!

 

haha, i cant stop laughing. that poor saturn.

 

haha, I can't imagine. We did find one customers brake pads put on backwards though. Customer complained that after he replaced the brakes, it still sounded like metal on metal. Said he tried to save some money and did both of his vehicles. He had one vehicle right, but this one wasn't. We showed him what was up and he went for another go. Got it right that time.

Well I had the tech change the oil, plugs, wires, cap and rotor. They all looked OK when he took the old stuff off. He checked the front end and everything is fine. I asked one of the sr techs, he took it for a drive and noted that it doesn't do it when it's warm. Said something about the upstream o2 sensors being common and probably the issue but he would check them on tuesday. I hope it's something that simple!