Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Pickups Dodge Ram Dodge Ram: Problems & Solutions 
3275 messages, Last post on Oct 18, 2006 at 8:20 PM
You are in the Dodge Ram Forum. Your Host is kcram
|
I have a 2001 Ram 2500 diesel and noticed that I am not the only one complaining about the steering. Driving the truck down the road required constant attention to the wheel always correcting it to drive straight. The truck will not center on the road. It has been back to the dealer 4x (2 separate dealers). They've replaced the track bar, steering box, aligned it each time, and a ball joint was frozen. There are no TSB's according to the dealer. Someone told me that an after market levelling kit will solve the problem, but that is $700 and a void on the warranty. This kit replaces the control arms (trailing arms) with tubular instead of the stock stamped metal, and the springs. The truck now has 45,000 miles on it. I LOVE the truck but HATE to drive it. How's that for spending close to $40k??? Any help would be greatly appreciated!! |
|
Well it sound like you have a quad cab w/short bed, I had a 98 quad w/short bed and it did the same thing it didnt bother me to much but the way I fixed it was lowering the tire pressure to 32-35 psig when the truck was empty and adding air when I loaded the truck.
|
|
|
It's probably because the motor is so heavy, there isn't enough "truck" in the rear to compensate. I drove a friends 2001 short bed quad with only 8k on the odo. and you could feel the fight in the steering wheel. But it wasn't worth getting worked up over. He also has 33" tires and it still wasn't bad. Later I test drove a long bed quad and it drove straight as an arrow on the stock tires. If you let go of the wheel and it veers sharply to one direction, I'd definitely get it checked. If not then I wouldn't worry. |
|
| My '01 2500 is an ext. cab, short-bed 4X4 and steering is fine pushing 52K miles. Better with the Michelin LTX that came standard, but I replaced them with more aggresive meat (Toyo AT's) that tow better thanks to stiffer sidewall. Steering is more vague, but doesn't wander around more than any other 4X4 truck with all-terrain tires. Could this be a tire problem? Or could you be not used to driving something like this? I mean, anything that can tow major weight is going to be equipped with tires and suspension that requires a bit more work to drive than a family sedan. The Silverado has probably the best steering feel, and it's still nothing like driving a car. The biggest difference is sporty tires, which don't work well on a truck. If you're not towing with it, you might try some lighter-duty tires. | |
|
Since we didn't have a Dodge Ram Problems topic, I've made this the official home...
|
|
|
|
Hi all, I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 QC 4x4 Off Road, Auto, 5.9, w/ 8k miles. When I'm driving between 70mph and 80mph on the highway it does a weird Vibration/Humm type thing that comes from underneath the truck. It peaks at 75, and goes away below 70 and above 80. To me it's like when a manual transmission's throw-out-bearing is worn, it like worsens at a certain spot when you let off the gas and varies but is always there between 70 and 80. Any ideas? TSB's? Experiences? I'm supposed to take it in so they can look at it tomorrow, but I'm almost sure they'll just give me the typical "We didn't seem to find anything wrong". or " We looked underneath, and everything seems to look fine". Thanks in advance..........................
|
|
I have a '99 Quad cab 1500 2 wheel drive 318 engine and on the highway I have noticed around top end 70- 80 mph on the interstate that the engine seems to miss and sputter occasionally. It sounds like spark knock (even with Amoco white gas) or something like popcorn popping metallic sounds. While riding on the passenger side I heard it very promeniently on the right side of the engine. I loose power and its time to have it investigated but I would appreciate someone with similar problems discussing this with me.
|
|
| We have a 96 4x4 extra cab shortbed bought new. We just had a third transmission in 68,000 mile. The 1st was at about 33,000. Was suppose to be a complete rebuild. About 11,000 mi. later it wouldn't even move. Another complete rebuild. Both of these were warranty. This last time we took it to a independent tranny man. He did a complete rebuild--recondition of tranny with Reman torque convertor and all updates,gasket and seal kit, overdrive piston housing, reverse drive, torque convertor, tranny cooler. This cost $2263.60 out of our pocket. We are just curious about anyone else having trouble. | |
|
Interesting post on your tranny. Several years ago I owned a 2WD Dodge 1/2 ton that practically ate transmissions (3 in the first 50,000 miles). The third rebuild was done by a private shop and it lasted until 160,000 miles. The trick is to get a good tranny cooler, do a tranny service anually and put in a friction modifier (aftermarket additive)to keep the seals flexible. It's too bad Dodge can't fix 'em right but at least there is hope in the aftermarket.
|
|
| Mpjmpj, try going to the TDR website about this one. No offense to anyone here, but in my opinion, the Turbo Diesel Register is THE CONSUMATE AUTHORITY when it comes to Ram Diesel topics. The address is www.turbodieselregister.com. Its kinda expensive to join, but the access to knowledge is WELL worth it. | |
You are here:
Forums
Pickups Dodge Ram Dodge Ram: Problems & Solutions
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Dodge Ram Pickup 1500
2010 Dodge Ram Pickup 2500
2009 Dodge Ram Pickup 3500
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
