2001.5 Ram I ordered is here....And wanders!

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Hi everyone. My 2001. 5 Bright Silver 2500 4x4 Quad cab with everything including the Cummins is here dispite my order being canceled (?) by DC last week. It has 4w disc brakes, looks *****in, and drifts down the road from lane line to lane line. The steering has kind of a "dead" or "vague" feel to it. It certainly doesnt inspire confidence in the steering. I don't really want to plop down the big bucks if Im going to be fighting with DC over this. What do you guys think? Help, please.

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Welcome to the Club!
I've been holding off ordering my 2001. 5, till my father inlaw can get his 99 2500 4x4 5sp fixed. He has had 3 steering boxs, brakes redone, independent alinement shop ajustments, tire pressure changed and what ever else people have suggest on this site.

But his truck with still less than 10,000 miles on it, might just be getting ready to be turned in as a Lemon!!

I feel really bad about this because I'm a Old Dodge Truck nut, owning several Antique Dodge Trucks (back to 47) and I basically talked him into this Dodge.

The dealer sometimes admits their is a problem, but hasn't really offered any suggestions for fixing. I've told him to call a Lawyer and see what they say.

By the way he loves the Truck in every way and uses it to haul Christmas trees, but is
scared it's going to cause him to wreck.

I'm going to be in Auburn Hills this week at the new Chrysler Museum, hoping maybe they will tell me someone to talk to. Will let you guys know.

If I were you and the truck of your Dream is on the lot, I'd take it, but make the dealer realize (sign something) that the steering will be fixed.

Good Luck - Nollie

Waiting to order 2500 6spd loaded 4x4!
Owner of Antique Dodge Trucks
Pres. Piedmont Carolina Chapter ATHS
Antique Truck Show Sept. 16th - Spencer NC

 

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There have been many discussions on the steering wander. Seems some people have had good and bad luck getting their dealers to fix the problems. There was a suggestion about an adjustment being too tight or to loose (is that vague enough?) on the steering box. Your at the best place to find the information you need, here at the TDR. Try searching the archives. This seems to be a "roll of the dice" type of problem, as the vast majority of trucks don't have this problem. My 3500 tracks so well I sometimes set cruise control and climb in the back seat for a nap (hmmmm, now to get one of those lights on the front the goes back and forth like Knight Rider).

Your order was cancelled by DC, yet your truck still arrived? Are you sure it's the same truck you ordered? Did you by chance get the VIN on the order sheet and check to make sure the truck had the same number?

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2001, 3500, Cummins, SLT, 5sp, 3. 54LS, camper/tow package, 4x4, freed turbo silencer, 165 watt backup lights and lookin for more.

 

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In addition to what bumble stated, if you special ordered your Ram, YOUR name would appear at the top of the factory window sticker.

 

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RamBill, Had the steering problem on my 01. Kept making adjustments and they would help but not cure the problem on mine. Had my steering box replaced last Friday and the front end realligned. Really drives good so far. No vagueness, lag or drifting. Took an hour to change the gear box and an hour for the allignment and a tank of fuel for everybody and his brother to try out the truck. On the other post, you'll see that the gear box on mine was a GM Saginaw unit replaced with a Delphi. Someone asked for part numbers of the Delphi. Don't have it because it is what came when they ordered the part and I don't have the paperwork. Good luck.

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2001 HO 6 spd 2500, 4. 10 LSD, Towing Package, Electric Brakes, EGT/Boost Gauges, Running Boards, K&N,
Real Backup Lights

 

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At first my truck seemed to wander a slight bit and have the dead feeling in the center. They had entirely too much air in the tires which decreasing the psi seemed to help the wandering The stickiness has decreased over time. I have about 5200 miles on my truck.
I bought a 97 new set up the same as my new truck. From the start the steering was far from good. The dealer adjusted my steering box which made the steering worse. I have used the same tire and alignment shop for years because they are the best(Bolton and James in Spartanburg SC). They told me that steering boxes should not be tighten and then loosened because this screws up the entire box. They should only be tightened. My dealer would adjust to a very tight setting and then reverse it which made it have more and more play. Right before my warrantee ran out, I had them put a new steering box in it and told them not to adjust any settings-talk about tight. My steering had become so loose that this new box seemed like I was in a different truck. At first it seemed to be difficult to turn the steering wheel. After a month or so, it worked in and was awesome. Moral of this story: I doubt it very seriously if many dealerships understand how to properly adjust the steering box. In the service manual, great detail is given on how to correctly adjust one which is some cases requires removing it.

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2001 2500 ETH/DEE Blk/Agate 4x4 QC LWB SLT+ 3. 54 LSD, Every option except Snow Plow and Cab Lights. ARE Z-Series Cap(lined) w/ intregrated electric lock. Bedrug Mopar Blk Aluminum Tube Steps 12000 lb Warn Winch/Transformer Mount- Brush Guard Factory Tow Hooks and all the right gear.

 

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Some Thoughts-
1) 4x4 solid front axle trucks will never have the steering feel of a 4x2 truck no matter what.

2) Tire pressure, shocks and steering stabilizer can make a huge difference in steering feel on a solid front axle 4x4.

3) The procedure for adjusting the box is not that difficult and is laid out well in the factory service manual.

4) Drive another similar truck to be sure yours is different.

5) It's a shame we have to go through this after paying $30K+ for these trucks...

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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

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When my 2000 was delivered, there was a dead spot in the center of the steering range and it tended to wander. The dealer replaced the trak bar and the drag link at 8000 miles which solved the problem. Now at 20000 miles the stearing is still tight.

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Jim Hillmann 2000 Intense Blue 2500 SLT 4X4 6spd, Line-x liner ,Bull Rings

 

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I think my arms are getting stronger from the constant back and forth motion to keep my truck in my lane. I've tried all the adjustments on the steering box, the preload is tight and my trackbar was replaced and the truck aligned (by the dealer) but it still has the dead spot you constantly overcorrect while driving. If I run less than 65 psi in the front tires it really wanders but putting on rancho 9000's seemed to help alot, bumps in the freeway really get things upset. With my camper on the problem is amplified that much more. I'm thinking maybe the steering box alan reagan got may be a solution, I've run out of things to try myself #ad




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2001 black dually,4x4, 6 speed H. O. ,loaded up. Jacobs E brake, lighted running boards, toolbox, solor visor, mag hytec cover, rhino lined, diamond tread rail protectors, mud flaps with genos chrome plates, megs exhaust tip, SPA digital pillar mounted pyro, boost,fuel press & oil temp gauges, rerouted blowby bottle, torklift class 5 double tube extension hitch and frame mount camper anchors... Its not a hobby anymore, its an addiction!

 

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I've been in 3 times so far with only 4100 on the truck. The first time they adjusted the caster. This last time they replaced the track bar. It's better, but I'm not sure it's right yet. Could need a new steering box. This is a common problem area for Rams, which my service manager aknowledges. I want to drive a similar truck to mine to compare. Who's close to central WI that has a similar set-up to mine with good steering? #ad


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2001 2500; SLT; 4x4; QC; LWB; Auto; 3. 54 LS; 265s; Camper; Tow; Sliding Rear Window; Travel Convenience Group; Cab Clearance Lamps; Forest Green

 

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I'm going to have to go along with bumble and say that my 3500 4x4 drives in the exact direction that I point it (no wander what so ever). I have to admit that I haven't tried the nap in the back seat though. It appears that it is possible to get these trucks right.

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE), SLT+, 3. 55 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine oil temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, AND functional Halo light!
"Diesel, it's not just for breakfast!"

 

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RamBill,

My "silver bullet" is waiting for a train ride as of 8/7. Is this a vague indication of what's to come for me. Sure hope your dealer can come through on this one w/o to much hassle.

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2001 2500 Auto QC 4WD SB 3. 54’s Bright silver metallic, Camper and tow package.

 

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I just picked up my new 01. 5 yesterday and it drives straight with no wander. Although, I've only got 52 miles on it, I can tell it steers, drives, rides, and brakes significantly better than the 99 auto I had. I guess I got lucky with this one. My 99 did wander some and it would drive me nuts on a long trip. I hope someone finds the solution for this.

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2001. 5 2500 QC, ETH/DEE, SLT plus, LWB, 4x4, solid white w/agate leather, 3. 55 LSD, camper/trailer tow, 241HD,TT mirrors, 4 wheel disc brakes, the works

 

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Fireman Dave, my truck is same as yours except mine is a 99. Where in central Wisconsin do you hail from. I travel all over the state.

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99 QC/LB,ISB w/auto,4x4, 3. 54, VDO (trans, boost, pyro) Westin SS Nerf Bars, Westin Grille Guard, Contico tool box, CP Industries pivoting 5th wheel, Louverd 5th wheel tail gate, K&N, VA CPC, BD Valve Body, and Mag-Hytec transmission pan. 40252 miles (8/4/00)
87 24ft Terry Resort 5th Wheel, 86 "Classic 16" Alumacraft, 00 Honda Rancher

 

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Ill bring this back to the top

I was told by the dealer that that was normal. I never wandered as much with any truck than I have with this one. I drive a 1995 Mack CH600 Tractor/trailer for a living with 600,000 Chicago miles and that truck goes down the road straighter that my new Ram. I ve had it in 2 times so far they didnt look at it they said its normal question is normal to who? I was also told that DC uses a different PS gearbox on the 2001's that doesnt have a true center this I dont know.
I did a search today here I see everything from the pitman arm not being straight to the over center adjustment being off,my pitman arm is not straight its off just a few deg.

This gets really annoying Im still waiting to get pulled over at night for a drunk driving check but I dont drink

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2001 2500 4X4 QC SLT LWB Auto Ordered 3/16/2000 delivered to the dealer 5:30 pm CST on 5/9/2000

 

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n9 , the dealer response seems to be standard throughout DC as a whole , anything that is wrong that no one can fix is considered normal , whether its life threatening or not . i hate to say it but this is probably my LAST DC product , i'm tired of dealer repair facilities that CANNOT repair the vehicles they sell and use a lame excuse to cover an inferior or unsafe product.

 

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Don't they have lemon laws in your state? Check up on them . Have they test driven your truck? How many other vehicles do they have on the lot that exibit the same characteristics. I would think that such a problem would jeporidize the safety of anyone in the vehicle. Liability should be the issue here and should be stressed to the Max. I have never had any safety issues with my truck (98. 5 special ordered also), but I did go through a transmission @12. 5k after a 5k trip through Arizona,New Mexico and Texas. They said there was a wrong size snap ring in the transmission: what ever that means. Bad day at the factory; must have been put together on a monday.

 

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My '96 was wandering and a check of the track bar quickly showed the ball joint was loose. Changed it and steering was better but still on where it should be. CAREFULLY checked the gearbox and found lateral movement at the shaft where the pitman arm attaches. The slight movement there makes a big difference on the road.

 

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IT'S NOT NORMAL!
Mine went in multiple times before it was fixed.
1. Caster Adjusted
2. Track Bar Replaced (bad ball joint)
3. New Steering Box (Delphi AF) - loose pitman shaft
With the caster adjustment and track bar replacement, it improved, but eventually deteriorated again. The steering box was the biggest improvement - it removed the slop, but it still wandered some. Then the final piece of the puzzle fell into place. About a week after the steering box was replaced, I rotated my tires and checked the air in them. They were all overinflated. I bled them down to their proper levels and bingo! It finally steers like it should have all along. Was the tire pressure the problem all along? No. I had them all inflated properly months earlier, but the dealer must have changed them one of the times it was in for the steering problem. Also, there's no question the track bar and steering box were defective. It was a combination of things in my case that solved the problem. Don't accept the "it's normal" response. It's not normal or right, just a common problem. 6000 miles on my truck now.
n9oig: I know what you mean about worrying about getting a DWI. I had a state trooper turn around and follow me for awhile on Labor Day because I think he thought I was drunk by the way I was all over the road. Do you ever get to the drag strip down there? I used to get down there once in awhile for the races.

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2001 2500; SLT; 4x4; QC; LWB; Auto; 3. 54 LS; 265s; Camper; Tow; Sliding Rear Window; Travel Convenience Group; Cab Clearance Lamps; Forest Green

[This message has been edited by Fireman Dave (edited 10-29-2000). ]

 

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Now I am concerned #ad
. If I order a new 3500 4X4 and when they deliver it I drive it before I finalize the deal. If it drives OK no wander am I safe? Will it keep driving straight or is this something that will start happening as the truck ages? Also I am going to order a 3500 2DR DRW 4X4, I understand from a previous post that they are only built in Mexico. Is that a good thing when it comes to quality and the lack of steering wander?
Thanks
Dennis