DD 1998,grinding and knocking sound from front end...help!!

[taco7775]

Hi all,
I went through a lot of threads, and found nothing really similar to my problem. This may be lengthly, but I want to include everything.
Acouple of months ago I started hearing a knocking noise under my feet, only when I was driving from 10-25 MPH. Whether or not it was exactly under my feet or vibrating from somewhere else in the front, I don't know. I had a friend look at it and they said it needed a greasing real bad. So my husband got under and did that, turned the tires in all which directions and did those. After that I heard no more knocking.
Now I have a grinding noise coming from my drivers side front tire. The faster I go the less I hear. I also get a noise when I brake, mostly on a decline. I have learned to brake real early and slowly to try to avoid the noise. It sounds like a "clunk". I also get the noise when I go over bumps.
I think I have gotton myself paranoid because of the whole "ball joint" recall on newer models. All I can imagine is my wheel coming off and that's the end of me. If anyone has any idea what this could be, it would be much apprieciated. I am hoping it is nothing big because money is tight right now. And I don't think there is a recall for the year of this Durango...I've called a the Dodge dealership and they said it would 200 for them to look at it. I think that is ridiculous. Thanks...

[steelerguy]

Originally Posted by taco7775

Hi all,
I went through a lot of threads, and found nothing really similar to my problem. This may be lengthly, but I want to include everything.
Acouple of months ago I started hearing a knocking noise under my feet, only when I was driving from 10-25 MPH. Whether or not it was exactly under my feet or vibrating from somewhere else in the front, I don't know. I had a friend look at it and they said it needed a greasing real bad. So my husband got under and did that, turned the tires in all which directions and did those. After that I heard no more knocking.
Now I have a grinding noise coming from my drivers side front tire. The faster I go the less I hear. I also get a noise when I brake, mostly on a decline. I have learned to brake real early and slowly to try to avoid the noise. It sounds like a "clunk". I also get the noise when I go over bumps.
I think I have gotton myself paranoid because of the whole "ball joint" recall on newer models. All I can imagine is my wheel coming off and that's the end of me. If anyone has any idea what this could be, it would be much apprieciated. I am hoping it is nothing big because money is tight right now. And I don't think there is a recall for the year of this Durango...I've called a the Dodge dealership and they said it would 200 for them to look at it. I think that is ridiculous. Thanks...

You may have dried out front stabilizer bar bushings for at least part of the noise. It's an Erk Erk sound when going over bumps, or hard braking, pot holes...etc.,. I don't bother changing mine anymore because even the new ones are only good for about year here in Arizona before the irritating Erk Erk returns. I took advice from a previous thread & pulled them out, cleaned them, & lube them with a bee's wax based motorcycle chain lube from a bike shop. The Haynes manual shoes them very clearly. Nothing else (silicon, WD40, whatever) lasts more than a few days. I have to use the chain lube about every 18 months. Make sure you have a torque wrench for reinstalling. This is not something you want falling off.

I would lube new ones with chain lube should you decide to replace them.

Not so sure about a grinding noise from one tire. If it's there when braking, are your pads worn & grinding into the rotor? Should be able see the grind marks on the rotors without removing the wheels.

You'll need to replace the pads & rotors (or have rotors turned) if there marks. If that's never been done, you need to have a good shop turn the rotors. Keep in mind that Carquest sells new rotors for $40 each before you start spending a lot on getting them turned. I have no faith in checker or any of the parts chains turning rotors. It's something they do a lot cheaper but hit or miss on the quality. They are there to sell you parts.

By the way, if your rear brakes shoes are original, they may need changing as well. Most of the braking comes from the front, so rear shoes can last forever. If you have 1/8 of an inch left on the shoes (get a Haynes manual for specs) that could go another couple of years. Not worth the trouble if they're within specs & not grinding.

Can also get a metallic screaching from ball joints needing lubricated. If it doesn't have a grease fitting servicing port, you can try getting a little injector needle attachment for your grease gun & pierce the rubber grease trap. I did that to one on my 99, despite a Meineke mechanic telling me it wouldn't last & it's been like 2 years without a peep. Of course, if it has a servicing port use that but don't go crazy. You can burst the grease trap if you keep pumping.

The only other thing I can think of might be your front wheel bearings/races that are inside of the front hub (I believe). If you are have the rotors & pads redone anyways, have them do that too as they will be taking most everything off needed to get to them anyway (ask for a discount since it's repetitive work being done on the rotors) & it's a good preventive measure if not an outright possible cure for one of your possible noise makers. They may be able to lube them but if they've been making noise, something may need replaced. They not expensive parts but can cause a wheel to lock up or worse if not taken care of.

Note: reading other posts, the Durango wheel bearing could be very expensive if they have a speed sensor attached (like $200 each). Good old dodge. They put the fuel filter in the gas tank for their convenience. Ridiculous.

[steelerguy]

Originally Posted by taco7775

Hi all,
I went through a lot of threads, and found nothing really similar to my problem. This may be lengthly, but I want to include everything.
Acouple of months ago I started hearing a knocking noise under my feet, only when I was driving from 10-25 MPH. Whether or not it was exactly under my feet or vibrating from somewhere else in the front, I don't know. I had a friend look at it and they said it needed a greasing real bad. So my husband got under and did that, turned the tires in all which directions and did those. After that I heard no more knocking.
Now I have a grinding noise coming from my drivers side front tire. The faster I go the less I hear. I also get a noise when I brake, mostly on a decline. I have learned to brake real early and slowly to try to avoid the noise. It sounds like a "clunk". I also get the noise when I go over bumps.
I think I have gotton myself paranoid because of the whole "ball joint" recall on newer models. All I can imagine is my wheel coming off and that's the end of me. If anyone has any idea what this could be, it would be much apprieciated. I am hoping it is nothing big because money is tight right now. And I don't think there is a recall for the year of this Durango...I've called a the Dodge dealership and they said it would 200 for them to look at it. I think that is ridiculous. Thanks...

Taco...make sure you get the new 411 on the wheel bearing in my reply. could be expensive but possibly necessary.

[jslubar]

there is a recall on durango for front end failures - my 2001 had same problem -ended up being bearing failure - wheel almost came off - go to internet for dodge recalls

[taco7775]

Hello all,
I just want to thank those who responded. My 1998 Durango has since been fixed. We brought it to Pep Boys and quoted us 800 for everything to be fixed....upper ball joints, tie rod, inner tie rod, rotors, brake pads, alignment......My girlfriend's husband ended up fixing it for me for 470. Now my beauty is back to normal.

For the last response I just wanted them to know that my 1998 is not included in the recall for ball joints. I have called them and everything.

Thanks again all
Jen