My truck has recently developed a loud squeak from the right front wheel. You only hear it when you turn right or left. Nothing going straight. I recentley fixed a front end squeak by d
oing a brake job. This squeak is quite a bit louder than the brake squeak. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

Assuming you have a 4x4 (can't tell by your avatar), i say it's the U-joint at the knuckle. They dry out and start to squeak first, then they'll size and make your steering wheel buck when going around corners. At least that's what mine did.

 

thanks dieseldude03, yes it's a 4x4 and I'm thinking yur right. What's this gonna cost me? I;ll change the avitar so people know it's a 4x4. Thanks again1

 

Sounds like you are on the right track. Dont rule out a unit bearing just starting to fail...

Are you going to attempt the repair yourself, or take it to a shop?

DIY, If you or a buddy already have the tools, probably around $30.00 to $50.00...

Take it to a shop, you might as well bend over and drop your pants--->

 

If you do the work yourself, just the cost of the u-joint itself (about $35.00 through NAPA or near $100.00 through a Dodge stealership) and several hours of your time. You'll need a man's impact wrench to remove the axle nut from the hub and you have to pull the unit-bearing hub from the steering knuckle. This is usually a major pain and 50% of the time you'll pull the hub in two trying to get it out. That'll add a couple hundred bucks to the repair bill ($500.00 at the above-mentioned stealership). Your best bet is to start applying your favorite brand of penetrating goo everyday for about a week before you attempt to pull it apart and then cross your fingers.

 

i have a 07 and i had a loud squeak when i put it in reverse. Then it started making it all the time. Took it to a buddys shop and they said it was the rear driveshaft u-joint that happened at 50000 miles. I would say it would be a u-joint

 

Hey Sooster i had the exact same problem on my 05 and it was the outer u joint knuckle. I went ahead and replaced both of them and since i already had the ball joints out i replaced all of them the brakes rotors and new stabilizer bar for about $1100 at a local shop also they did an alignment. Common problem on dodges is the front end. I would say do your ball joints too while you are at it cause they go around 70,000 anyways

 

Thanks guys, There goes my turbo money I've been saving. I guess it's due as I have 155,000 miles on her and I've heard a lot of front end problems happen around 100,000 I'll have to have it done. I'm getting too old to wrestle with this job.

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Just curious what tools are required to do the job? My neighbor is a good mechanic and might be able to help if we have all the right tools. Looks like ball joints are in order as well. How much are they?

 

I think the ball joints were like 75-90 a piece i might be wrong.

 

Got mine (MOOG) for $58.89 for the uppers and $64.70 for the lowers through Auto Parts Fast at RockAuto