2007, 47K miles.

Noticed two days ago that the front end has been making more noise than usual when traveling over bumps, holes, etc. Hard for me to describe the noise but I would say it's like a like rattling or rumbling, like something might be loose. I can't really feel it when driving, just can hear it.

Truck only has 47K miles on it and hasn't had any other major issues. I got caught in a snowstorm last weekend and had to use 4wd lock for a few hours. However, the issue didn't start until 3 days after that, so it may be irrelevant. The tire pressure is good and I didn't see anything odd when I looked underneath.

That being said, I probably wouldn't notice if anything was wrong anyway since I don't know what to look for.


Thanks

 

Check your sway bar end links. Those are the first components to fail. Check upper and lower ball joints, strut mounts, and your upper and lower control arm bushings.

 

Yep, what he said....welcome to the world of weak front end parts. You really can't tell by "looking" at them, unless they are really, really bad, but those parts mentioned are known weak points on these trucks. I'd start with the sway bar end links. You can get quality replacement (moog) from rock auto for a decent price. Are you lifted by chance? oversized tires? etc.

 

Appreciate the info gents. Looks like I'll have to take it to a shop to get it looked at.

No lift, no over sized tires, pretty much stock all around.

Unfortunately I'm moving in a couple months and will be selling the truck then. Is it stupid to just continue to drive until then?

If I do get it repaired, any ballpark ideas of costs to have a mechanic replace the above mentioned parts? Really hoping not to have put too much into $$ since I have to get rid of it soon...

 

If you are going to get rid of it, dont bother. If it tracks good, no terribly uneven tire wear, etc. Probably not an issue to drive it for awhile. Really though, it's not that hard to jack the front end up and have a look yourself instead of paying someone to do it. sway bar links can be bought for less than $50. Paying someone to diagnose, and then R&R would run into the several hundreds. If you are concerned, you can pay someone to have a look, but then post back here the results. Plenty of how-to's and knowledge on here to talk you through.

 

So far it feels fine, driving wise, aside from the sound.

My two main concerns would be
1. Causing more damage by continuing to drive on it and
2. How much less I would get when selling it. (Likely going to take it to Carmax.)

Thoughts on those two?

I know it's pretty basic but it's probably over my head to try and identify and/or replace the sway bar links/ball joints, etc on my own.

I'd likely rather pay someone to make sure its good to go.

 

An update for any future searchers of this problem. Ya'll were on the money with the sway bar links.

Had the shop do everything for $150.