have a 2004 Ram 1500 4x4 QC 5.7 with about 80k on it. at about 45k I put on 295/70/17 with an offset rim. I have had nothing but problems since. about 55k I needed new lower ball joints and at 62k my front passenger wheel bearing broke on me on a long trip- I replaced both at the dealer where it was towed to. at about 70k I was still hunting frontend noises so I bought new outer tie rod ends, sway bar links, sway bar bushings, shocks.

I have noticed lately a clunk when going at slower speeds and hitting a large bump that there is a clunk as if something is loose. I have looked over the frontend and everything seems to be tight. If i move the cv joints in and out there is some play in both sides from the differential to the hubs. I am not sure that that is normal or not.

I am thinking it could be the wheel bearing hubs again. They only have 18k on them. I noticed when I spin the wheels when both wheels are jacked up that the passenger side has more resistance.

Should I try to replace both hubs and go from there or does anyone else have an idea. Thanks

 

sounds like sway bar end links they would case a clunk when hitting bumps if the ball socket side is worn.

 

I would certainly check everything over again. I would even take it to a front end shop and tell them what you are feeling and let them check it out for you for free and tell what what parts (if any) need to be replaced. Then go out and buy the parts, install them and take it back to them to let them do the alignment.

If you think the pass side has more resistance when turning, make sure the caliper and pads are free from the rotor and still not grabbing it.

On a side note, I spent a good bit of time yesterday looking for front end parts. Im at 76k and it is time. I am going to replace both lower ball joints, both upper control arms and BJs, both outer tie rods and both wheel hubs.

I priced everything out on www.rockauto.com and www.autozone.com

While rockauto was (and always have been) cheaper, here is what i realized. Although I want a lifetime warranty on my parts, at 76k on the OEMs, if i can get that on the next set of parts then do i really need a warranty?

Total on those parts was 680 from AZ
Total on those parts was 535 from RA

BUT total on those parts from Ebay was 350

And they were all the same brand parts. Now what would you do? Because I already know where Im going to order mine from.

 

Ok- I would like to thanks everyone for their help. Today I took the sway bar links off and drove around without the sway bar links and the clunk was gone. I have moog links with about 10-15k on them. I grease them every oil change and before trips. I noticed the passenger side had some play in the joint. I greased it on the bench and water and old grease came out. It had been 900-1200 miles since I last greased it. I then put the links back on and greased them again and the noise went away. Now I know if it comes back that it is the links that have failed. Thanks

It has also been snowing and very wet and the water probably caused the dry links.

 

moog today aint the moog of 15 or 20 years ago. i stopped using moog parts about five years ago and see way less failures.

 

Weedahoe- if you can get the name brand stuff for 350 go for it. Alot of the stuff on ebay is the cheap parts. Check to see if you have 2 wheel abs. I believe those have one regular hub and 1 with the abs sensor on the drivers side. Most sets on ebay dont give you 1 and 1. Rock auto should list the part numbers. Also add in sway bar end links and you might aswell change the sway bar bushings. Thanks for your help guys!!

 

so what is the brandname to use? Just curious incase I have to replace these sway bar links. I only had 10-15k mileage on them with frequently greasing them and it was only like 1000 miles since I last greased them.