So my new truck has a bad sound when turning(kinda rumbling/growling sound). I figured maybe a wheel bearing, so I lifted it and found the front right wheel has play left and right, but not up and down. I looked behind the wheel and everything seems to look and move properly during the 'play'. My dad said it's probably ball joints, but he doesn't know for sure since he lives a few states away and can't look at it himself. Oh yes, it's a 2008 ram 2500 bighorn hemi 2 wheel drive. What do you guys think??

 

I would check the tie rods.

 

Ok, it was the right sway bar end link gone bad. I had them replace both while they were in there.... Thanks!

 

Glad you got it solved.

 

By the way, this also fixed my death wobble!

 

If you still have the bad parts, take some pics and post them.

 

So I lied...it never really stopped, just got better, but now getting worse again... I'm scouring the internet in search of a fix. I called the factory to check on known issues/recalls, but they said that my issue has never before been heard of and it must be isolated to my truck/worn out parts or something, since no one else is reporting the issue... So, back at it! Anyone else have this/fixed this stupid, drive me up the wall issue?

 

I second ramhemi's suggestion to check the tie rods. Bad tie rods will give you the back and forth wheel play that you described earlier. I don't think that replacing the sway bar linkage will have any effect on wheel play. If you do replace the tie rods, do both at same time since you will need an alignment. Be sure to ge the greaseable tie rods.

 

Sounds like you have a wheel bearing going bad. Tie rods don't make growling noises. Even though there is no play in the bearings doesn't mean they aren't bad. what kind of mileage on the truck? Jack up the front,, spin the wheel, listen for noise, sometimes you can feel roughness when the wheel spins (do it slowly). good luck let us know what you find out.

 

Are tie rods related to the 'death wobble'? I've been trying to fix that for over a year, and still cant figure out whats causing it! I'm certain I need new wheel bearings up front btw. However, I don't think bearings would cause the quick loss of steering when hitting a bump above 30+mph....