2001, 4.7, SLT, 2WD, 200K miles

I hear a faint groaning noise when driving above 20 mph AND turning right. The sound does not occur at any other time, no noise while driving straight at any speed and no noise when turning left. Within the last year, I've replaced the tires, front brakes, hub/wheel bearings, tie rod ends, sway bar links and upper ball joints all with quality parts (MOOG and AC DELCO Gold). I've also replaced the rack and pinion and the power steering pump and cooler. It's not a power steering noise. It sounds like it's suspension related and possibly on the driver's side. I can't imagine that any of the recent parts I replaced are bad. I tested the bearings by lifting the car then spinning and shaking the front wheels both at 3 and 9 o'clock and 12 and 6. There is no wobble or play that I can detect in the bearings. I did the same in the rear and they feel solid also. The lower ball joints look good, so I don't think it's that.

It's not a loud noise and can only be heard if the windows are up and the radio is off, but it is irritating me. Is it a bad bushing in the control arms or maybe an axle shaft going bad?

What can it be?

 

Is it a constant noise that stays the same throw-out the turn? Or does it make the noise once during the turn and then stop? Also do you have oversize tires/rims? Have you checked for contact marks on the fender wall? To check your bushings on the control arms just jack up the front end without putting weight on the control arms. Then grab a large screwdriver or prybar and try to force it side to side. If it moves the bushing is due. Sometimes wheel bearings only make noise in turns. That can be quite hard to test but luckily for you front wheel bearings on dakota's are stupid easy. Pull off the tire and take out three bolts and the axle nut. Slide old hub off and slide the new hub on.

 

I'd guess wheel bearings too but OP says they've been replaced. The question is, were they replaced on both sides?

 

Ah, missed that. My bad.

 

yes, both bearings were replaced exactly one year ago.

 

Yes, the noise is constant as soon as I start to turn the wheel to the right at speeds above 20 MPH and continues until I’m no longer turning. There’s no vibration in the steering wheel or any rubbing of the tires on the wheel well.

Wheels are stock and tires are OE spec. Bought the tires 12 months ago put them on just before I replaced the bearings and other suspension parts. I’ve put less than 5000 miles on the truck since then.

No mods or repairs were done prior to the noise, which I started noticing 2-3 weeks ago.

I’ll check the control arm bushings this weekend.

 

Its probably not the bushings. They usually make a single or double clunk noise similar to a bad ball joint.

 

Agreed, that's what I've heard as I've searched through YouTube and the forums.

I checked the front bearings again by shaking them from 12 and 6 o'clock and felt a little bit of play in the passenger side wheel. So maybe that's it? I don't recall noticing it when I checked them the prior week, but there it is. There's no play at all on the driver's side. I'm going to warranty the bearing/hub through Rock Auto, so they'll give me a replacement. Hopefully that does the trick.

 

its the inner tie rod ends I think mine has the same problem.