My 2001 Ram 2500 4x4 has a very subtle knock or grind when I am at crawl speed. I can't hear any sounds but it feels like something isn't turning properly and grabbing. Only happens when I turn the steering wheel 1/2 turn or more, in either direction. Happens in both forward or reverse, whether I am applying the brakes or not. As soon as I accelerate past about 10 mph, the grinding is gone. The grinding is felt inside the truck but I can't feel it particularly on the steering wheel.

I checked both front wheel bearings and there is no movement at all. I looked at the front axle U-joints and can't see anything wrong. When I lift the front end and turn the wheels, the U-joints turn fine and I can't see anything loose. Of course there is no load on the wheel when the truck is jacked up.

Any ideas what could be causing this? Is this the beginning of an axle U-joint failure and it's not bad enough for me to see anything wrong? Is there a better way to test U-joints? Thoughts?

 

Could be ujoints. I had a cheap set once that caused binding when turning low speeds. Could also be in the power steering pump or gear and when there's more rpm, the problem isn't as noticeable.

 

I should have mentioned that my U-joints are original (never been changed).

 

Then they would be the first thing I checked.

 

OK but is how do you check them to know which one needs replacing (if any)? Pulling the axles off a 15 year old truck will be a lot of work. The bearing/hubs are rusted in place. I'd like to know for sure that this is my problem before I dive too deep into this. Is there a good way to check these universals, other than looking at them when turning the wheels ?

 

Jack up the front of the truck, turn the wheels to the lock. (doesn't matter which way.) Then, try and spin the wheel. Watch the u-joint while you do so. If it doesn't turn smoothly, or, there is any excessive movement in the joint, it's bad.

 

Also look at the seal area, You may see a light rust color coming from them. If so they are dry and are starting to disintegrate.

 

 

I'm on my 4th set and they are getting due (4 years old). Two things to check:

- Look at each cap end and see if they are orange. Mine had one cap that was orange (rust) and so I knew it was dry.

- Stick a couple of fingers in the joint and try to wiggle them. That cheap set I mentioned were loose to wiggle. Got maybe 2 years out of them. Only get:

Spicer 5-760x

 

I just noticed that the OP has a 2500. You can get greasable ones for that. It's just the dana 44 is non greasable. I have a set of non greasable ones for a 2500 if anybody is interested.