Everything is feeling a bit loose....

[JBlakeman]

Well my truck has surpassed 134,000 and am getting concerned about the front end. Over the last year or so the steering, suspension, and overall noise going over the bumps in the road have increased dramatically. I often hear a small rattling sound in the front of the truck (not suspension or tire noise) but as if something is separating just going over minor expansion joints in the road.



The steering is getting increasingly difficult to control as it seems to constantly wander and I have to do corrections just to get it to drive straight down the road. Also, if I need to steer into a tight parking place I find the steering feels more like a Lincoln Town Car now than the tight / quiet feeling it had when I bought the truck... often I need to steer... . stop... . back up... . steer again. Never had to do that before and it doesn't feel to be connected much anymore.



My suspension / tires are completely stock. U-Joints (all) were replaced two years ago (vibration issues), and I had a inner tie rod replaced when I took it in for the steering component recall this last summer.



So I would like to use my tax refund and hopefully rebuild the front end. My friend owns a shop and is good in replacing what's broke however he doesn't work on many diesel trucks, so need some advice here instead.



I know Dodge didn't build good front end parts so I'm looking for suggestions both factory or aftermarket. I want to fix what's worn out and hopefully while doing it strengthen what's there so it'll last longer for the next 125,000. Don't want to have the tires break off at 65 because I had a worn or loose component up front go out #@$%!... . Thanks

 

[TomBrady]

The small rattling sound you mention, I also experienced at around 70,000mi. on my truck. It turned out to be the metal clips on the disk brake calipers. Can't help with the rest...

Tom

 

[SierraRam]

My guess is you need ball joints and track bar bushings for a start.

 

[Grizzly]

Sounds to me like you need a good set of shocks, like Bilstein Shocks

 

[JBlakeman]

Shocks were replaced at 35k and 80k... stock units. I thought about doing a leveling kit and Bilstein shocks this time around while taking the front end apart.

 

[SWithrow]

If you haven't replaced the ball joints I would have them looked at. I have replaced mine twice(once at 80k and at 135K), the second time i needed both steering knuckles. I would not replace with stock components my suggestion would be to find joints that are serviceable (i. e. , grease fittings)

 

[JBlakeman]

Outside of shocks and u-joints, and the single inner tie rod, everything else has 135k in mileage on it. I buy a lot of my filters and such at Genos Garage and have loved their service so far. Is that a good place for the front end stuff or can someone make a recommendation?

 

[kschitoskey]

Front end

I just did ball joints (moog greasable), track bar bushings (Geno's garage), Red Head steering box, tie rod ends and Defiant steering box stabilizer - at 60,000 miles. Tightened everything up considerably. Feels like a new truck. Lots of good reading on this forum about our crappy front ends. $ 1700 later... it's never driven better.



Makes me miss my 99 with Dana's



Good luck

 

[JBlakeman]

Great, thanks for the input. kschitoskey... how long did it take to do all the work? Did you do it yourself or hired somebody. Don't want to take my truck out for too long since I'll be doing the work on my own using my buddy's shop.

 

[kschitoskey]

Good question

I installed the Red Head steering box myself, along with the track bar bushings, power steering fluid replacement (Amsoil ATF), pitman tie rod end and box stabilizer in one afternoon.



I went back and forth on doing the ball joints myself - found lots of articles, step by step instructions, etc. ; but the more I considered the pitfalls (tearing the inner axle seal, hassle with removing bearings, etc. ), the farther I leaned toward having the ball joints done by a local shop. They do several dodges a week and are very reputable. It is painful for me to pay labor for anything, but in this case I'm glad I did it. Not to mention there's something to be said for putting money in the local shop instead of the corporate pocket.



They aligned it and it is now steering better than ever. $ 1700 spend in 2 weeks on a truck with 60,000 miles...



To answer your question - one day replacing steering components, then the shop had it for a day.

 

[steved]

I think I have some play in the steering shaft... that's my next project.

 

[cojhl2]

I would get someone to work the steering wheel while observing what is moving around under there.



Something is flexing.

 

[JBlakeman]

Well, I received my tax money and getting ready to order some parts. Just wondering if anyone in southeastern Wisconsin or northeastern Illinois knows a great shop for doing front end work (if they work on diesels too that might be a plus in the future... . )?

Thanks...