I have started hearing a clicking noise around my passenger side front tire, I think it could be in the u-joint of the 4x4 drive shaft to that wheel. how can I be sure? what would this cost to fix? I'm in Tn. would try it myself but have had 6 back surgeries & #7 is scheduled for next week. any help to figure out the clicking appreciated... what happens if u-joint goes out??? it is 2001 dodge ram 1500 5.9

 

Have someone jack up front end and wiggle and spin wheel. Have someone do it...don't jack up your back! Prices to repair vary and I have no idea what labro charges are in Tenn. I suspect u joint or the hub bearing.

Good luck with your surgery. Hope it gets better.

 

Check for rocks stuck in your tire tread

 

check your u-joint mine does the samething

 

I had to replace both of my axle u-joints a couple years ago. I was able to grab the axle shaft and wigle it a bit. Its not a hard repair. I pulled the axle shafts out and took them to a shop to have the new joints put in, drain the front dif first.

 

85% sure it's a u-joint. I had same kind of ticking noise, but I heard only when passenger side window was open and I was driving next to a concrete wall so I kind of forget to fix it in time. So on one sunny Sunday, I ended up pulling the hub and shaft on a side of the road because u-joint was miles away from destructing ears from the stub shaft.

Like Derick said, wiggle the inner shaft and if there's any play, replace. And when it ticks, it means that there's a lot of play.