When my joints started to fail, they started squeaking then would intermittently vibrate/hum. They didn't "growl"...

How many miles?

 

Truck now has about 96,200 miles on it.

 

If you haven't already replaced the joints, I would pull the shafts and make sure the joints are still good. NONE of my joints made it to 75k before failing...including the knuckle and front driveshaft...

 

I think I will give that a try. I never realized the joints would go bad and still be nice and tight w/o play while installed. Maybe I'll just do a little preventative maint. and just replace them all. The only one that was replaced was the forward joint on the rear shaft. That one failed and was really loose w/ a lot of play about a year ago.

Thanks for the replies. Will advise if it fixes the problem.

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Well, since I was called into work today I dropped the truck off at the Dodge dealer. (We're leaving for Canada on Friday, so I need it fixed.) They called and said that one of the drive shaft balancing weights had fallen off and the drive shaft was not true. They recommended a new drive shaft which comes w/ new U-joints installed. Price including installation - $575.00. I have been trying to find out how much a replacement shaft would cost me if I bought it on my own but haven't found a website that sells the whole assembly. The Dodge Parts page lists about 20 different part numbers that fit my truck though no good descrpitions to make sure I am getting the right one though they run from $225.00 - 599.00. I just don't think it makes sense that that was the problem. If the drive shaft was bent or out of balance I would think the vibration and noise would be constant - not just at high speeds and when under load. Any thoughts? Any ideas if I was getting a good price or getting ripped off?

 

Bob, the noise I was getting along with the vibration in the cab was similar to a rearend vibration. The best way for me to describe it toya is remember back when you rode the school bus and you heard the loud noise coming from the rearend. That's what I was hearing and feeling. As to what you are saying about checking the joints, they are going to feel tight, very tight. The front U-joint was fine but the rear was so warn, it had seized up and had no movement. That's what you want to look for. I didn't find the bad U-joint until I dropped the drive shaft. Good luck. Hopefully this will fix your truck.