Dodge Van Front Suspension

[Ken Duncan]

I have a 96 3500 and a 77 Sportsman Class C Motorhome. Before I go to a front end shop and get taken to the cleaners does anyone have any suggestions? Both vans have a metalic noise when hitting a bump. And both get a very loud metalic pop when wheel is turned all the way, moving forward or reverse. Shocks have been changed on both. Could it be ball joints, springs, tie rods, all of the above? 96 has 97000 miles and 77 has 78000 miles. Thanks

[Heavyvan]

I had a van where the ball joints would make a sound like that when they needed to be greased.

[alloro]

If you only got the pop when turning the wheel I'd say it was a tie rod end. But since you're getting a noise when you hit a bump, I'd then lean towards ball joints.

[Dodgevanman]

Also..the strut rod bushings could be shot in both vans. My '94 would clunk going over bumps. I knew in my case it wasn't ball joints or shocks since they are new. My strut rod bushings (and swaybar end links) were shot. I replaced them with polyurethane bushings. Front end is now tight and quiet.

[B-300]

Also if you turn so hard the steering stop hits it will make a popping noise as you turn and the suspension travels up on one side and down on the other due to body roll.