I havd a 2004 dodge 3500 4x4 with the cummins in it. I have noticed that I have had a weird squeak coming from the driver side front wheel. Not too big a deal I'll find it. I'm more curious I have heard that dodge is notorious for front end problems. Is there anything in particular on this model that I should look for and make sure is ok?

 

My 04 3500 CTD squeaks when i roll forward while turning the wheel any direction haven't looked at it yet to see wtf I did. I just did front brakes.
It could almost be about anything front wheel bearing to half shaft ujoints to u joints on driveshaft front or rear. I'll have to get out their and check it out
Does it just a little squeak and does it do it when turning at slow speeds?

 

Sounds like a u-joint.

 

Mine sounds exactly like yours. As long as your rolling straight the noise seems to go away, but when you are turning at a slow speed whether forward or backwards it has that weird squeak to it and the weird thing is it isn't a continous squeak it sounds like it has a flat spot or something that squeaks when it comes around to that spot.

 

u-joint.........

 

yeah one of the u joints is bad cant tell what side it is though cant grease them factory ones suck not just dodge though they all dont have grease fittings on anything anymore witch is stupid guess it saves them money and then makes them money when they go out and people take them to the dealer to get fixed. I'll be fixing mine myself

 

I think you guys are right it more than likely is that u-joint. I have heard that moogs is a good brand to go with. What do you guys think about them or is there another brand that is better that I don't know about.

 

I don't really have a opinion about it as long as it has a grease fitting. I think they are all about the same. I've had mud trucks that I have used Moog in and Cheap ones they all toss the drive shaft the same distance. But the cheap ones broke more often then the good ones.
Plus a moog is only like 16.99 cheap ones are 8.99 I'll spend the extra 8 bucks to get ones that they use in race cars. Napa is good to use also I've never had any trouble with them. Im not sure what they cost for our truck. I've used them before for half shafts and they where the only ones that came with grease fittings per my application (chevy 1/2 ton with 1ton axles 38in swapers)
I have got precision u joints for mine they are good too. made in America I'm just going to stick with what I got they are 16.99 also

 

I replaced mine with NAPA's and they're not bad.

Just make sure when you get them, you DO NOT get the chinese ones. If they don't have the US ones, get the Japanese ones. I haven't had issues with either.

The Chinese ones look like they were forged by a 2 year old with a ball peen hammer.

You need part number 464, that's the u-joint you want.

They are gonna run ya about $58 each. They're a lot more expensive than the driveshaft u-joints.

 

There was a question about installing the u-joint in compression vs tension.

Here's a little diagram of how you want to position the u-joint so the grease fitting is in compression.