Chrysler/Dodge Front End Noise

deepNdirt · Nov 26, 2011

mmurphy said:
Do not to forget sound may possibly be not coming from front end suspension. A bad motor mount, or anything that could be by a part of suspension could be coming in contact.

yes very correct

my wife explorer had acquired a thump/bump sound when going over things like speed bumps or even slight dips in the roadway, I look over the entire front end components and couldn't find a thing wrong or worn,
so we just lived with it for about 2 years, about 3 months ago while doing an oil change and being under and closer to the middle of the SUV I decided to have a look around that area, checking the U-joints etc,etc, ..... when I picked up on the drive shaft I was able to slightly pick up the rear of the transmission as well, This is when I notice the 2 bolts holding the tail of the trans to the support was loose, (((( BINGO)))) a couple a quick turns of a wrench and a 2 year old problem was solved,

Not to say this would be the problem th OP is having put yes the sound could be from something other than the front end

nikdfish · Nov 26, 2011

Welshman said:
Thanks, Nick - I'll check that out, right now. How many miles on your Magnum?

Currently coming up on 139,000 miles...

Nick

Welshman · Dec 12, 2011

automech said:
Look closely at the outer stabilizer links and the inner stabilizer bushings. You can cut the front wheels to one side and reach in and put your hand on the link ends while a helper bounces the front end up and down. If you feel play in the ends replace them

Just an update. Automech, I did as you suggested, and was unable to detect any play, however my "helper" is a lightweight, and we may not have gotten enough bounce. I'm going to try it again the next time my son is here. While I was checking it though, I noticed that the driver's (left) outer tie-rod end was sloppy. Since my noise pre-dated the tie-rod end (I had checked it a few months ago), I didn't think that was the source, but I took the car in to have it replaced and the front end aligned. While there, we bounced, twisted, and inspected and couldn't find anything else wrong, but this was all done on a frame lift. When they moved it over to a drive-on, to do the alignment, they were to check again, but at that point, I wasn't in attendance. The noise is still there. As I said, I'll check those links and bushings again as soon as I get some more "beef".