**This is NOT for me but for JohnMuehlhausen who is a new member and learning the forum**

I bought a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L V8 Crew Cab 4-wheel Drive, automatic transmission with 6 inch Fabtech lift last year and last week as i was driving down the street from my house i heard a loud bang under the floor board on the driver's side and i slowed down and heard a winding down noise. I thought i ran over something so i backed up and the winding noise went away. I took it to the shop and had the upper ball joints replaced that were loose and the heavy duty Fabtech tie rods replaced and since the tires were off i had new rotors and brake pads put on. I still hear a grinding or thumping noise when i slow down to a stop. I think it is the drive shaft gears. Could somebody point me in a direction or give me a guess what they think it could possibly be. I dont want to tear into my drive shaft as i am using this truck instead of my lifted jeep as a daily driver back and forth to work. Thanks in advance.

TSgt Muehlhausen
US Air Force

 

Thank you.

 

That sounds like a unit bearing. When mine went, I would feel a slight decrease in power, then BANG, I thought it was my engine backfiring. I was freaking out for over a day, thinking I had a cracked intake at the least, but no codes. You could definitely feel it in the floorboard as well as hear it. Somehow the bearings would get bound up and then release with a bang. I finally figured it out rolling slowly up to a stop sign. I could hear a grind and feel a slight pull to the left. Funny thing, after the pop, it would exhibit no sign. No grinding or anything. Then it would build up only to release with a jarring bang. Put your truck on stands and check the front wheels for any movement or grinding noises.

 

sounds like wheel front bearings. i did mine wheel bearings last week. and sounded like what your discribing without the bang. if it is you front wheel bearings you break peadel will be lower than normal on the first push.