So, about a week ago, my truck started making a howling noise when I was driving, Keep in mind, my dodge has 78,000 miles, and 62,000 of them were driven by my great uncle, I dont go off roading, mudding ect either.

So I thought, tires need to be rotated, maybe off balance. That didnt help, but today I noticed while on a curvey road that it kinda shimmys and makes the noise driving straight, makes it louder/worse when going left around a curve, and it COMPLEATLY goes away when going around a right bend.

What could this be? I did jack the truck up, and tried to rock the tires back and forth, up and down, didnt move at all, solid. I think hubs are ok.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

Ball joint's

if you have a 4x4 which i cant tell, it could be the U joint for your axle shaft on the front

 

Nope, its a 2wd. You think my Left Ball joint is bad? If that was the case wouldnt the wheel rock up and down?

 

I am going on a 300 mile roundtrip on Friday, I assume I need to get this fixed before then eh?

 

Not really, ball joints take ALOT of pressure to move usually.

The rocking up and down when the truck is jacked up means a bad bearing but you've already covered that.

This is what a bad bearing looks like


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnZEujquYdY

 

Wouldnt hurt

 

Because If it gives out, The wheel falls off correct? POS dodge stuff breaking at 78k miles. lol. At least the gas pedal hasnt ever gotten stuck down. Well crap, now I need to figure out which one, upper or lower.

It wouldnt be tie rods right?

 

Thats a very good possibility

 

Well, I just went out and looked at it. Do you have to replace them in pairs? Like upper and lower? I am pretty sure the passenger side is new..er.. The drivers side, Left, the boot looks eroded and torn, at least the upper does. This is going to cost at least $200. UGH!

 

Well you dont have to replace them in pairs but most places only sell them as a set, "Upper and lower" and if i were you and were going to pain in the *** trouble of doing the ball joint's i'd do both top and bottom cause its not something i'd want to do more than once in a loonnnggg time