One problem related to suspension noise has been reported for the 1997 Dodge Ram 2500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
2500 while changing gears with a 5-speed manual tran. You could hear a poping sound comming from the dana 80 rear axle. I took the truck to the dealership. And the problem was the (2) spider gears in the rear axle were made to large and where loose and making a poping sounds when engaged. Also I have a proplem with the independent front suspension. The truck will not stay in alignment in front and it wears out the outside of the tires down to the steel belts. I have replaced the front tires 3 times and had the trucks 4 wheel alignment done 2 times and it still is eating my tires up within a few weeks after I put new tires on the front . The dealership told me this was a very big problem with the 2500 and 3500 4 x 4 club-cab trucks with the cummins diesel motor.