This is a long story. I have a 2002 Ram 1500 4x4. A month or so ago I started hearing very loud scraping noises from what seemed to be the left front wheel. they seemed to go with tire rotation so I assumed it was something interfering with the wheel/tire. It got worse and worse, and after looking through threads and youtube, I figured it must be a CV axle. I bought and installed the new axle, and the noise has changed, but it now seems to vibrate right under the drivers footwell. I also tried changing the hub (its only about a year old anyway). This didn't make a difference. Any thoughts on what other components may cause this issue? When I had the wheel off the ground this morning after changing out the hub, I spun the wheel and it was smooth as glass, no noise whatsoever, but when driven the noise returned. I will say that now it only does it at speed. Could it be the differential? the transfer case? I checked the differential fluid, and it wasn't low. The transaxle is not wet at all, so I believe it is full of fluid (maybe not). The small drive shaft that comes from the transaxle to the front differential seems fine, the front u-joint has no play in it, and the rear seems OK as well. One observation I do have now is that when going straight at speed, the humming noise is there (quite pronounced), but if I am moving at speed and I take a left curve (where the truck would tend to roll right) the noise goes away while under that lateral force, and comes back when going straight again. I've tried shifting in and out of 4 wheel drive when moving, it doesn't seem to affect the noise. I'm mystified since when I'm under the truck moving and rotating things nothing seems wrong. If anyone has had a similar experience please let me know.

Thanks, Dave

 

You might check the passenger side hub and axle. The noise/vibration could be passing thru the chassis and you are feeling/hearing it on the driver side as well.

 

Thanks, I'm out of Ideas. I'll check that out, but it really does seem to be coming from under the drivers footwell. But I'm running out of stuff to check.

Thanks,

Dave