Noise in front end '96 Ram3500 4x4
Noise in front end '96 Ram3500 4x4
Here's what I've got... Truck is a '96 ram 3500 4x4 Cummins with 5 speed. 118,000 original miles. Truck is far from stock as far as motor. I've owned it since new.
I have had front end problems with this truck from the time it had about 30,000 miles on it. That's when I replaced the first front bearing/hub assembly. Drivers side. Replaced same one again at about 70,000 miles. (complete failure both times with no warning) I replaced the SAME hub/bearing assembly last December, then finally the passenger side this March. I caught both of these before failure. I have replaced the ball joints once, it is on about the 5th track bar, and I have replaced tie-rods twice. Last weekend I replaced both rotors and calipers.
NOW, I have a strange "thump" sound. It is more noticeable at slow speeds. Like idling in 1st gear. You also notice it at about 20 mph and 40 mph. Just a "thump...thump...thump..."
I have jacked it up again, can't find anything loose. rotate wheels by hand and no noise.
Something else I have found and fixed, apparently the vacuum actuator on the front axle had went bad again (it had been replaced once because it wouldn't engage) except this time it happened when it was in 4 wheel drive. I don't know how long it had been stuck in 4 wheel drive, and I'm driving about 500 miles a week. At least 300 of those miles at "highway speed" (80, 85 mph maybe a LITTLE more). so... did I fry a bearing in the front axle or something?
Any ideas on what's going on with this thing???
I have had front end problems with this truck from the time it had about 30,000 miles on it. That's when I replaced the first front bearing/hub assembly. Drivers side. Replaced same one again at about 70,000 miles. (complete failure both times with no warning) I replaced the SAME hub/bearing assembly last December, then finally the passenger side this March. I caught both of these before failure. I have replaced the ball joints once, it is on about the 5th track bar, and I have replaced tie-rods twice. Last weekend I replaced both rotors and calipers.
NOW, I have a strange "thump" sound. It is more noticeable at slow speeds. Like idling in 1st gear. You also notice it at about 20 mph and 40 mph. Just a "thump...thump...thump..."
I have jacked it up again, can't find anything loose. rotate wheels by hand and no noise.
Something else I have found and fixed, apparently the vacuum actuator on the front axle had went bad again (it had been replaced once because it wouldn't engage) except this time it happened when it was in 4 wheel drive. I don't know how long it had been stuck in 4 wheel drive, and I'm driving about 500 miles a week. At least 300 of those miles at "highway speed" (80, 85 mph maybe a LITTLE more). so... did I fry a bearing in the front axle or something?
Any ideas on what's going on with this thing???
Champion
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,866
Likes: 434
From: Central VA
Did you check the tires closely? That thump-thump sound might be a bad tire - perhaps a broken belt in the tire?
As for the 5th track bar on that truck - WOW! - If you find yourself needing to install track bar #6, might want to look into this setup below - it will be the last track bar you will ever need to buy..
I upgraded to this model adjustable track bar, which required a custom bracket - very well made parts with no heim joint to go bad:
http://www.solidsteel.biz/datb.htm (Track Bar)
http://www.solidsteel.biz/tbk.htm (Bracket)
As for the 5th track bar on that truck - WOW! - If you find yourself needing to install track bar #6, might want to look into this setup below - it will be the last track bar you will ever need to buy..
I upgraded to this model adjustable track bar, which required a custom bracket - very well made parts with no heim joint to go bad:
http://www.solidsteel.biz/datb.htm (Track Bar)
http://www.solidsteel.biz/tbk.htm (Bracket)