Have a 2002 Ram 1500, 4x4, 4.7l.
I have a single 'pop' sound from drivers front wheel when I cut wheel all the way to right and back up...or even when I go forward. I especially notice this when I back up my driveway and the back tires first engage the curb.
I have had both lower ball joints replaced, tie rod ends checked and even the drivers side spindle replaced. Still have this sound. Thought was that it could be the sway arm bushings or the sway arm links are bad. Any ideas as to if this could be my problem or how to check for sure whether it could be the bushings or the links? (just bushings are alot cheaper than the links) My mechanic has thrown in the towel and this noise is driving me nuts.

Send me a message if you can.
Thanks

 

Do you have a leveling kit on the front?


the vehicle encounters sharp suspension inputs such as a speed bump.

 

No leveling kit. The pop comes when the weight seems to shift to the drivers front wheel. So it would almost be when the truck rolls into that wheel rather than the strut extending. I will cut the wheel all the way to the right and back up driveway and as soon as the right rear tire rolls over the curb, it will pop every time. I get an occasional 'loose' feeling at higher highway speeds sometimes as well, but not sure if related. I have 'heard' about the sway bar bushings/links but they seem to look ok....although I am not sure that them looking ok means anything.

 

check your cv shafts for play, if there is play in them it could be the start of your cv joints going bad.

 

I have had the sway bar end links done on my truck. Sounds like the front end is gonna pop right off! The 4x4s have a rubber bushing on the top end and a ball joint at the bottom end. This ball joint wears out and causes all the racket. Not cheap either. Good luck.

 

I had that loose feeling too. Changed a top ball joint/control arm and now it's all better. The bottom joints have some play up and down, but not sideways. I'm sure this can cause noise but not steering issues.

 

Also, for the top, I was able to get one that's cast iron with a replacable ball joint and grease fitting for around $80.

 

ive had this problem on my 99 durango and replaced all my sway bar bushings and greased them with motorcycle chain lube and noise was gone

 

There is a bushing kit, with just the 2 rubber bushings (8$) and a link kit that has those two bushings and the link. (35$ rock auto, 55$+ advanced auto) How do I know if I need one or the other. I think I am just going to go with the link, but I still would like to know.

 

Go for the complete kit on both sides. Make sure the link has the joint in it as this one is for the 4-wheel drive. The solid link rod is for the 2-wheel drive. Good luck, 4minc!