Hey Guys, I'm new to the forum but you should see me around as I'm a recently new Dodge Owner. I just purchased a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT, 4wd, quad cab, with the 5.9 liter 360. I didn't notice this sound at first because when I test drove the truck for the first time it was a cold day so I had the windows up. Well now that it has warmed up a bit I've noticed a scraping or grinding sound out of the right rear wheel. I'm not sure if is a wheel bearing or what. I only hear it when taking off and slowing down (not to say it's not there when driving and road noise drowns it out). It doesnt' seem to affect the way the truck drives it just sounds bad. It's not a constant noise, it's like you can hear it everytime the wheel rolls. The best way I can explain it is two pieces of metal scraping each other. Any idea's? TIA

 

The sound that you are hearing is probably the rear brake shoe grinding against your rear brake drum. It's not uncommon for somebody to back off the star drag all the way when this happens when they are selling a vehicle. After the new owner has driven it a bit the worn out brakeshoe rivets will again start to grind against the brake drum. You'll need to pull that tire and drum to verify this.

 

My first thought is your rear brake on that side. How many miles on the truck?

 

I've got about 140,000. . .and yeah I thought about brakes, I hope thats all it is

 

If it's the brakes, you're talking about brake shoes, probably drums, and maybe wheel cylinders if they have not been cared for by the previous owner either.

 

Thanks alot guys for the quick response, i'm going to tear into it on Saturday and try to determine the problem. I'll post after I find the solution.