My 2005 Ram 1500 4X4 ( 55K)started making a strange noise last week. While going straight between the speeds of 30 – 40 mph I have a random scraping sound. As I drive the sound increases in frequency but still no repeating pattern. When I stop and restart the noise slowly returns. If I turn, the noise temporarily stops. If the truck has been sitting, the noise will not start for a mile or two. When I first heard it I thought it was a mud flap randomly contacting the tire but it is now clear that it is metal on metal. The sound appears to be coming from the front driver side. I replaced the break pads, but it did not change the sound. Any thoughts?

 

possibly a wheelbearing? mine made noise between 50-60 and when i was going slow

 

I had the same problem with my 05 Ram.

It turned out that my brake rotor was warped and the pad was rubbing my rotor at the warped part and was causing it to make a scrubbing sound and made the steering wheel vibrate.

Drilled and slotted rotors fixed that problem real fast though.

 

That was my second thought, so I replaced the pads and rotors. No change. Its either the front left hub bearing or the axle cv joint. There is a lot of heat being generated on the outside of the CV joint which is about an inch from the bearing.