When driving at 60-75 I can feel some tapping or clicking in the steering wheel when going over bumps. I know my shocks are shot and it almost feels like someone is laying under there hitting the drag link with a drum stick after each bump. What do you think it could be? I have my theories, but don't want to jump to conclusions.

 

bad u joint maybe?

are you sure it's in the steering wheel? cause a bad pcv valve will have an audible clicking/tapping when driving.... just a suggestion

 

Have you inadvertently run over any short people recently?

 

Or maybe a short drummer? Seriously though, I have sort of the same thing going on. Hopefully, someone will point in the right direction.

 

I could be wrong, but if it was a bad u-joint, I would expect to hear clicking when turning, or at least under acceleration while turning. This acts like there is some slight play in the front suspensions somewhere. VERY slight play. Just enough to feel the metal on metal tapping up through the steering wheel. I am assuming it is a bad wheel bearing due to the fact that the front passenger wheel was more worn than the others when I bought it last fall, and when I rotated the tires, I could feel some slight top/bottom play in the wheel when jacked up. No right/left play, though. Also, the one and only time I had it in 4wd last winter and was at 45mph+ I would have a vibration. No clue where that was coming from. But it was a loud enough droan that I drove slow and only put it into 4wd when it was absolutely neccessary.

 

Check all 4 tires to make sure the tapping noise isn't a nail head in your tire. I got the same sound when I got a screw in my tire. Just a thought...

 

Thanks J415. But this is only at higher speeds and only while going over bumps. Not a consistant sound.

BTW - Steelers have 6.

 

have u checked your ball joints?

 

How do you check them?

 

It could be just about anywhere in the front suspension/steering, but I'd start first with a look at the stabilizer bar links. A shot bushing there will cause exactly what you're describing. A track bar can, too, and would be the more likely culprit if you've got more than the usual 2nd gen Ram steering wander.

It could be anywhere in the front suspension/steering, though.