2004 Ram 1500 Hemi engine Automatic....everything is stock. 178k miles.

First 4wd truck I have owned in almost 20 years. I can usually fix anything...it is the figuring out what is wrong that I dont know.

Lately I have been having some intermittent growling in the front end. Seems to be mainly at highway speeds. When I steer to the right...even a little (such as correcting drift in a lane of traffic) then it will start. Last for 30-60 seconds and fade out again. Sound comes from the front driver side tirearea I believe.

Any thoughts on what it is or how I can figure it out? Any help would be appreciated. I just dont have the money right now to take and have it diagnosed somewhere.

 

My first guess would be front hubs, especially if they haven't been changed yet with your mileage.

Raise the front end until the tires are hanging, give the tire/wheel an up/down side to side push/pull, also rotate, see if there is any play or grinding.

Its also possible the front or rear drive line u-joints are giving it up too.

Start there.

You can get the FSM for the vehicle at Weedahoes sig for free as a download--------(the bible to your truck)

 

Thanks, I am off to a barrel race with the family right now...but I will check it out later and post what I find. Thanks.

 

I agree with fishin, that's the most likely problem and the right way to diagnose it.

 

Did not get a chance to check it out today. If that is the case...what kind of cost and difficulty level am I looking at? Anyone have a write up somewhere?

 

this might help a bit.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...placement.html

 

Ditto on possiable front bearings.