Ever since I bought this truck (used, in March) I have had this subtle rattling noise like something is loose going over light bumps from the front end. Sounds exactly like a loose sway-bar link....but they are all tight, shocks are tight, all tie rods have been replaced (they were loose), ball joints are tight, track bar and control arm bushings are good....doesn't stop when I hold the brake pedal lightly, so it's not the calipers or pads....anyone have an idea??? You can hear it more then feel it from inside the cab. Thanks!

 

Pitman arm loose?

 

Pitman arm is tight, although if I grab it and push up on it i can hear a slight gear mesh....but its not the same sound as I am getting over bumps...

 

how old are your shocks?

 

The shocks are I believe original with 95k miles...probably need replacing, but mounts are tight, worn ones have never rattled to my knowledge on any vehicle I have owned. any thoughts?

 

I had an issue similar to that, and it was one of my front shocks. I thought it was a swaybar bushing issue too, due to the sound.

joe

 

So the mounts were tight, but the shock was simply "worn" and replacing it stopped the noise??

 

In my situation, yes. The Dodge OEM shocks (at least on the 1500) aren't known for their stellar quality. I replaced mine at 32k, although I really replaced them for performance reasons.

Obviously I can't guarantee that's going to fix your issue though.

 

the shock will internally rattle and knock as well i have had one's separate and untill you take them out and the come out in two pieces they look fine.

 

Mat99 has this same problem and hasn't been able to figure it out. i mentioned taking the wiper cowl cover off and seeing if the wiper motor isn't loose, but I guess it's too much work to possibly find that it's not the case?