Bad steering pull right ; getting worse, dealer shrugs shoulders

[Pete Peterson]

Paul, try if you can to get the regional rep. involved. His shrugging his shoulders is when you might suggest to him that maybe he would like to buy it back. Pete

[This message has been edited by Pete Peterson (edited 02-22-2001). ]

 

[Alan Reagan]

I thought there was a TSB on this on Fritz's site. The TSB I'm thinking of talks about the truck going left or right when not under control of the driver. There is one in there but it looks like it has been corrupted by the 5th gear nut problem. Anyway, if the allignment has been done you may have the brake caliper not releasing on the right side. You could check or have the dealer check for unusual wear on that side. You may want to do a search on this topic. This is not a new phenomenon and there should be some ideas that you can take to the dealer.

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2001 HO 6 spd 2500, 4. 10 LSD, Towing Package, Electric Brakes, SPA EGT/Boost Gauges, Fog Lights, Real Backup Lights, Molded Running Boards

 

[ftb87]

Paul,

Mine has the same problem. However, the dealership is paying a local alignment shop to have it repaired. Here's the catch. No one makes the new parts for our new ball joints for the '01 Rams yet. They are going to be delivered to the alignment shop in June #ad
. If you have any more questions, please e-mail me.

Thanks
Frank

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01 White, Quad Cab,Short Box ,Sport SLT+,5 speed,4X4,line-x ,Nerf bars,fiberglass tonneau cover

 

[danandamy]

Paul, when you say it's been aligned, I'm assuming it's been done by the dealer. I would suggest that you go ahead and pay the money out of pocket and take it to an alignment shop you trust. The thing is, when my truck pulled to the right, the alignment shop fixed it. They told me that when they put it on the machine at first, everything showed to be within spec. Then he took it for a drive and #ad
So then he started just cranking and adjusting until it quit pulling. The thing is, the dealership won't do that, they'll just put it on the machine and if everything checks out on the machine they shrug their shoulders. I bet they haven't even DRIVEN your pickup to check it out.

Daniel

 

[ftb87]

Paul,

Good news! #ad
I just hung up with the alignmennt shop and they will have the new ball joint for the '01 Rams in two weeks. I will let you know.

Frank

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01 White, Quad Cab,Short Box ,Sport SLT+,5 speed,4X4,line-x ,Nerf bars,fiberglass tonneau cover

 

[AKDrifter]

This rig pulls right! It's been doing it from day 1 and now my nearest dealer shrugs his shoulders and says he has done all he can do. I pulled a 20 ft. trailer home from Whitehorse yesterday and the problem is even worse!

Dealer sweares it's not the steering box; I've had 3 allignments, bought 4 new tires and rims just to rule out that, I need help!

Is this buy back time or am I stuck with this thing? It's no fun to drive, I'm gettin' back in my '86 TOYOTA.

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2001 2500 QC 4x4 HO 6 speed, 4. 10 LSD loaded enough.

 

[AKDrifter]

The dealer spoke of those new ajustable ball joints but said it would be months before they were available. He has driven the rig many times and agrees it pulls. I'm going around the dealership in the Yukon to get the steering box replaced first. Then on to suspension parts to further isolate the problem. So far it's been $600 out of my pocket to get this problem fixed and I'm mad! It must be a good truck though because I still love everything else about it.

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2001 2500 QC 4x4 HO 6 speed, 4. 10 LSD loaded enough.

 

[Big MAK]

Adjustable ball joints? What's the story on those? '01 only?

I'm getting new ball joint on the drivers side Monday morning. Blew them out when I punched out the steering gear six wks ago... if you recall that fun little episode. Apparently I busted the ball joints then but it took a few weeks for them to wriggle free.

I wouldn't mind looking at higher quality then stock if anyone knows of any.

[This message has been edited by Mark Kitchell (edited 02-23-2001). ]

 

[Wilycyote]

There is a TSB out for the 1996 2500 4x4 that had the same problem. Pulling to the right. They worked mine 5/1/97. Replaced the ball Joints, Control arms and installed larger wheel cylinders on the rear brakes. Haven't had a problem since. Researching This TSB might help.

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1996 ram 4x4 ext cab. BD products, Large injectors,250 torgue plate 4"cat back, Tougue lock. pressure lock, and BD Auto Transmision

 

[Guest00]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum17/HTML/001619.html

see if thies are the alignment specs you have had?

 

[AKDrifter]

My specs. for the latest allignment are as follows:

left: right
caster 5. 41, 5. 19
cross caster -. 1
camber +. 2, +. 1
cross camber . 01

I drove down the road yesterday 3 mi. stopped, felt the front brake disks and the right one was way hotter than the left! I'm no mech. genious but where ther's heat there is friction, I can't believe the dealer did'nt notice this in thier exam. If the caliper is draging the problem could be solved! You would think the dealer would have done a caliper force test just to eliminate that possibility, would'nt you?

 

[Guest00]

On Fritz's site you might want to check out TSB 19-03-99. It is all there. Dont like their repir proceedure but replacement would be ok if that is the problem. http://dodgeram.org/tech/tsb/1999/19-03-99.htm