Hello all,
I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 and there's a small (yet amazingly annoying) squeak coming from the front center section of the truck. I can hear it inside although I'm 99% sure it's coming from underneath. It's like a shaking squeak, it's mostly noticable when I'm at idle, and when going slow over even the tinyest bumps. When at idle, if I put it in park it seems to go away, but then when I put back in drive it starts to squeak again even though I'm not moving.
I know the suspension needs some TLC, I'm just wondering where to start.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Serpentine belt?

 

and check belt idler. Putting in park, the idle goes up, but in drive, the lower idle may cause this. Got stethoscope?

 

i had squeaks and ticks and click sounds coming from both the idler pulley and the tensioner. i replaced the idler pulley ok and that one stopped. i replaced the tensioner pulley only but it didn't stop and i eventually had to replace the whole tensioner to get it to shut up.

there's another annoying squeak that comes from the auto trans linkage bushings. if its that, you can recreate it by opening the drivers side door, holding the door edge and using it for leverage to rock the truck from side to side. smear wheel bearing grease on the dry cracked bushings to quieten them.

 

Just replaced the serpentine belt so I'm pretty sure that is not it, it's like a shaking or vibrating squeak if that makes sense. I've rocked the body and there's no squeak there. I was wondering about motor and transmission mounts

 

^ i doubt it.

to prove that it is or isn't related to the belt, temporarily remove it. beware that the water pump isn't working, so don't run it but a minute or so and watch the temp.

 

I too have this annoying squeak.

I fixed it by putting super 40s on my trucks and rolling the windows down.

I have lost a lot of money on poor gas mileage and tires but by god I never think about that squeak any more

 

 

That's what I'm talking about! I am constantly amazed by the number of people that do NOT have one of these. I think they are only about $5!

 

If I hear a squeak, exhaust leak or anything similar that is the first tool I think of.