Broken

[domehead]

I’m in Colorado near Silverthorne the front driver side universal joint gave out and the front seal on the transfer case. The truck has 41,200 miles on it.



The Dodge dealer (Vista Dodge ) here has been very helpful in getting the truck back together. The interesting thing I found out is there is a major backorder for the universal joints over four hundred are on order.



If everything goes well today I will have my truck back by the end of the day.



I have not used the 4X4 very much this truck has mainly been on the road truck.

 

[AfterBurner]

That's pretty bad that the u joint is giving out so early.



Are they on back order b/c others are going out too?

Did the dealer seem surprised it went out already?

 

[domehead]

Hi all,



The good news the dealer was able to figure out how to get the parts he needed to repair my truck and it should be complete by morning.

 

[HBarlow]

Apparently Dodge has been having some problems with u-jounts in later Gen III trucks. The rear joint on my 2 wd C&C failed at about 70k and I have read of others. I never replaced a u-joint on either of my previous Rams with high mileage. Dodge should review their supplier and contract for whoever is manufacturing these parts.

 

[Grizzly]

Apparently Dodge has been having some problems with u-jounts in later Gen III trucks. The rear joint on my 2 wd C&C failed at about 70k and I have read of others. I never replaced a u-joint on either of my previous Rams with high mileage. Dodge should review their supplier and contract for whoever is manufacturing these parts.

Probably made in China like everything else.

 

[Regcabguy]

I've always felt that if Dodge went the extra mile in parts quality, and documented the effort that most potential buyers would pay extra for a part that would last 100,000K and was guaranteed to do so.



I think that it would be an excellent sales factor.



Showing a lot more flexibility on warranty compensation to the dealer on claims would be a milestone also.



The techs could sure use a raise also.

 

[rscurtis]

Your logic is correct, at least as far as I'm concerned. A lot of the buying public wants everything cheap at any cost. Witness the recent spate of fatal tour bus crashes. Was that $20 bill you saved worth your life? Certain types of vehicles are very price competitive, as a difference of a few $ could influence the buying decision. I don't think that's the case with HD pickups- reputation is much more important than a couple hundred, or thousand dollars.



My '83 Mercedes is built that way. It cost $31K in 1983. What do you think that same car would cost today?

 

[HBarlow]

Around $100k if they built it.

 

[bheiting]

I’m in Colorado near Silverthorne the front driver side universal joint gave out and the front seal on the transfer case. The truck has 41,200 miles on it.



The Dodge dealer (Vista Dodge ) here has been very helpful in getting the truck back together. The interesting thing I found out is there is a major backorder for the universal joints over four hundred are on order.



If everything goes well today I will have my truck back by the end of the day.



I have not used the 4X4 very much this truck has mainly been on the road truck.

I feel your pain! The driver side front u joint on my '07 went out with only 29k. I'm wondering if the short turning radius has anything to do with problem - they all seem to be on the driver side.

 

[domehead]

I think it's a combination of design and parts that is causing this failure to happen. What I would like to see how many trucks in the model year 2010 already are having failures and what areas on the truck.



For example:



The navigation unit had to be replaced three times in my truck



Batteries once



Clutch pressure plate 3 times



Fly wheel and clutch, pressure plate once



Front U-Joint driver side once



Front seal on transfer case once



Rear axle seal once



All done under 42,000 miles.

 

[JBob Diesel]

I was trying to decide between a 2012 Ram 2500 and a 2012 Silverado 2500 and I finally decided on the Ram, but these kinds of occurrences really make me second think the Silverado. I love the Cummins, but the rest of the truck needs better quality control. I wonder if Fiat is going to improve this situation? Over on one of the Duramax forums, there doesn't seem to be the same recurring parts problems.

 

[rrl989]

I was trying to decide between a 2012 Ram 2500 and a 2012 Silverado 2500 and I finally decided on the Ram, but these kinds of occurrences really make me second think the Silverado. I love the Cummins, but the rest of the truck needs better quality control. I wonder if Fiat is going to improve this situation? Over on one of the Duramax forums, there doesn't seem to be the same recurring parts problems.

I'm making the same choice but on a 3500. After replacing my fuel sender arm this weekend, my 3500 is officially back to 100% of what it was when I drove it home back in '97, everything still works !! I just wish I had the same confidence with a potential 2012 Ram purchase.

 

[JBob Diesel]

Does anyone know if the steering and front suspension parts were strengthened on the 2011 HD models or if there are plans to do so for 2012?

 

[firemansdiesel]

I don't have a 2010, but rather a 2009. In 19,000 miles my ball joints (both sides) and driverside front wheel bearing needs replacement.

 

[domehead]

Hi all,



On the way back to the east coast the clutch started to act up plus the transmission is making a winning noise. So I have decided to trade the truck in. I do not know if I got the truck that was made on Friday and the parts made on Monday. The truck has 45,000 miles on it, the engine is strong but the parts around it have problems.

Dodge has to bring the truck up to the engine level.

 

[Nyoest]

Probably made in China like everything else.

Yup, just like the engine block.

 

[domehead]

Dodge called me about the issues this truck has been having and told that there is nothing that they would do. So I traded it in last night on new truck and it hurt me to do this it was not for a Dodge.



The engine in the truck is outstanding but when the rest of the truck is falling apart around the engine it's time to part ways.



I will let you know if I made good or bad move on the new truck.



Like the rest of the people that buy the heavy duty trucks it has to perform most of the time and we do not need to worry about is going to break down on the next job.



Don

 

[Bob4x4]

In o9 the front ends on the 4x4's were upgraded

 

[JBob Diesel]

In o9 the front ends on the 4x4's were upgraded

Not questioning your honesty, but what is your evidence of this? From what I have read, there are people with '10's still having front end problems.

 

[domehead]

Status update on new truck,



The factory bake controller works with my 10 ton goose neck.



Overall ride is better than the dodge.



I cannot compare MPG between the two trucks because of the gear ratios.



New truck has plenty of power



After hooking up the trailer the new truck did not saga compare to the old one.



Will give more updates as I put the miles on it and loads