2010 shock absorber question

[psouza]

When fully loaded, I find the front end tends to float on our unmaintained California freeways. The truck is a 3500 diesel crew cab with long bed and duals. Have refitted a 2000 with Ranchos with excellent results. Our 2003 didn't need it but this one does. The shock catalogs still do not list 2010 cross references, so the question is ... are the physical dimensions of the 2010 shocks the same as the last several previous years?



thanks

Phil

 

[Nebraska Ram]

Sorry i don't have your answer but I'm very interested in your problem, as I just picked up my 2010 Ram cummins 2500, and the steering is much loser than my 2004. I had it realigned with moderate results. Just wondering if heavy duty shocks would solve the problem.

 

[RonD]

Are both the trucks mentioned 4wd?, or 2wd?

 

[psouza]

2010 shocks and more..

My truck is 4wd and of course a solid front axle. There is a current issue under discussion on some boards of steering wander and needing constant correction to maintain lane center. I have this issue as well, and attribute it to the solid (live) axle. I have noted this behaviour on other similar vehicles, jeeps mostly, but this is not what I ment when I complained about floating.



Floating, to me, is the constant up / down, undamped front suspension travel while traversing moderate to severe freeway heaves and uneven surfaces while fully loaded. Not very noticeable while unloaded, infact the ride is very good while unloaded. To me, it is a choice made by the marketing folks to snag the bucks from potential owners who may never realy use these things. Many years ago I drove a clapped out '56 Buick Dynaflow with no discernable shocks. Wasn't impressed then either.



Past experience makes me think that changing shock damping will not improve the need for constant steering correction.



For the record, the tires on this truck are Generals with a similar tread pattern to the Michelins I used on all previous trucks. (2000 / 2003, 2wd srw)



There is no perceptible play in the steering box but after thinking a bit, I am not sure if the previous trucks were rack and pinion steering. If they were, then that may be why it seems a little loose to me now.



Have almost 2000 miles on it so far and have no issues other than what I have mentioned.



Phil

 

[Bill Stockard]

For the record, the tires on this truck are Generals with a similar tread pattern to the Michelins I used on all previous trucks. (2000 / 2003, 2wd srw)



There is no perceptible play in the steering box but after thinking a bit, I am not sure if the previous trucks were rack and pinion steering. If they were, then that may be why it seems a little loose to me now.

Phil

Yes, your 2003 2-wheel drive (2wd) single rear wheel (srw) truck was rack and pinion steering. All 3rd generation 2-wheel drive pickups had rack and pinion steering.



Bill

 

[Regcabguy]

You nailed it when you stated that the stock shocks were designed to deliver that "sign here please" ride. A set of Bilsteins will cure it and last a long time.

 

[RonD]

Having had your problem a few years back, here is what I would do. First if the rear of the truck is lower than the front I would consider some air bags to level it, I would make sure the tires are inflated to the correct pressure for the task, I would replace the factory shocks with a top of the line after market shock, I would have the front end set at max caster, the dealer will set it to book setting 4-4. 5 degrees, you can have an alignment shop set it for 6. 5-7 degrees, that really helps a lot.

 

[Nebraska Ram]

(Are both the trucks mentioned 4wd?, or 2wd?)



My 2001 & 2004 were 4X4 as well as the 2010. Could never get 2001 to drive so as to feel relaxed driving it 2004 drove like a dream from day one. Just got back from 250 mile drive pulling our 33Ft fifth wheel RV. The steering is such that when you have to go narrow work zones you are always correcting, as it never seems to self center. Sad but I guess I'll just have to live with it.

 

[d6c]

"when fully loaded" probably means the rear axle is heavy. If the 4th gens. are anything like the 3rd gens. they are really lightly sprung and the easy way out is a set of airbags. Stiffen up the rear end and it is like night and day. Don't believe the overload leaf acts soon enough-you need help before then.

 

[psouza]

Thanks for the reply.



We have been around this "block" before with previous trucks, although this is the heaviest we have run. On the fat side of 4000 lbs in the bed and flat towing a Jeep Rubicon. We have the air bags plus lowered the over load bump stops to engage the OL springs earlier in the cycle. We are level with no problems in that department. The rear end is very well behaved. It's simply that with the load, the front shocks are unable to damp the motion of the front end. It seems from inferring information from the Bilstein web site that 2009 shocks and 2010 are the same so will probably go that route.



Phil