My 01 Ram has 78K miles on it. It has been squeeking for some time now with every little bump I hit, mostly from the front end. It just started "thumping" when I hit the brakes. I can actually feel the thump in the brake pedal and in the steering wheel. It seems to be more exaggerated at slow speeds and when I am turning. Any suggestions as to where this thumping could be coming from. As soon as I get the chance I am going to pull the wheels and inspect the brakes and do a quick look at the suspension, etc.....

 

Sounds like the ball joints and could be the tie-rods as well. Stock ball joints are known to not last very long.

 

vwanddodge is right, however I had the same problem with mine and chased down the thump for months. Ball Joints, andWheel bearings will leave traces of bad tire wear. If you don't have that and its really noticeable when you turn could be wheel joints (you didn't say 4x4 or not)shocks if worn out bad at the top will slam back and forth in their housings. Swaybar end links if broke will thump. I replaced it all tie rod ends wheel bearings ball joints end links shocks you name it. The thing I forgot was sway bar bushings on the frame. Everytime I hit a bump I felt it in the floor boards. It cost me $12 for the pair. by by thump.

 

It isa 4x4. Is there anyway to trouble shoot it down to a specific area or is it just start ripping in and changing parts to you fix it?

 

A very common place to generate a thump from the front suspension is the lower shock mounts ... they loosen with wear and also are rarely torqued correctly when replaced. 100 lbs/ft is the proper value.