I have a 2001 Ram 1500 4x2 5.2l V8 that has been making an odd noise from the front right side. The noise started as a sort of a crackling sound, only heard when first moving truck in the morning at low speeds, once over 15 to 20 mph sound was unheard. It also started to be able to be heard during driving but as I said during slower speeds, now yesterday I couldn't hear it at all in the morning or all day but late last night after driving to work and it sitting for maybe 25 minutes I hear a new noise coming from the same area, its not a constant noise and it sounds like a kind of rubbing sound, not sure how to describe. There is no change in the way it drives just this noise.

My mechanic friend and I will be looking at it this coming week but wanted to get some ideas on where to start looking. I have searched this forum and found a few things that sound similar but not to our noise issue. Just bought this truck not even 3 months ago so not sure if any work was done on the front end or when the brakes were changed last. At first my mechanic friend said it might be the brakes and I was inclined to agree, there have been little things I noticed only when braking. Like when fast and hard braking it seems to slip (first truck so not sure if this is normal) and twice while lightly braking there was a little bump in the road and it sounded like a linkage slip occurred.

I want to be safe when driving, as I have to drive across town to mechanics house and being our only vehicle I need to drive back and forth to work until we can get it fixed. Any suggestions or ideas would be really appreciated.

 

You may want to check your wheel bearings right away. That kinda sounds like your bearings are on their way out.

 

Caliper may be hanging causing pads to rub also.

 

I had a similar problem, and after replacing nearly everything, it was the brake caliper. Needed a kit for the bolts and isolators. Did both sides, now quiet as a mouse.