Front End Overhaul ...

[Cloudmaster Don]

...coming soon to a truck near me. My first diesel, and my first Dodge Ram, it's a 2006 2wd, 2500HD used as light duty tow vehicle and occasional grocery getter. It has approx 110K on it, and only 20K of that has been at the insistence of my right foot. In a previous life it towed a 34' 5th wheel travel trailer at the urging of an Edge Evo HT performance tuner, which I have.

While reading in this forum of the many front end problems people have had with this truck, and the various after market products they have used to gain long life and accurate steering, I have concluded that most have chosen some really good products to upgrade their front ends. Also, it seems, most have 4wd, tow heavy, and/or go off road, and most usually work their trucks hard. When I looked up the prices of some of the stuff being recommended, I thought "wow, that stuff sure is expensive." So, given the light duty use to which I subject my truck, and bearing in mind that I too seek long life and accurate steering (former sports car driver), do I really need to spend such enormous amounts of money? Anyone care to comment, suggest, or ?

Cloudmaster Don

 

[jgillott]

The 2wd trucks have generally been much easier on front end parts than the 4x4 versions over the years from what I understand. When it does come time to replace parts that are worn however, please do yourself a favor and use the high quality products that are available out there.

We have tons of miles on our trucks and they have generally been worked hard. I've never been smart enough to spend the money on the quality aftermarket parts the first time and replace with cheaper OEM style instead. Consequently, I end up doing the job over and over again instead of once and done.

 

[Doc Holiday]

I too need to do this in the next 6 months or so. I live by buy once cry once, so yeah I’m doing it right the first time.

 

[Cloudmaster Don]

Thanks guys, for verifying what I suspected. "Once and done," & "buy once, cry once" are excellent characterizations of the right way to do things. Now, it's off to the internet to order parts.


Cloudmaster Don

 

[NIsaacs]

Front end parts are wear items, if you keep it long enough and put enough miles on them, there is no such thing as "one and done". With only 110k miles, make sure you need parts in the first place, before you fix something that is not broke. But yes, buy good parts, there is junk, good, better and best.

In general, it is hard to beat oem. At 300k miles I finally replaced my ball joints, coil springs, brake rotors and rebuilt my steering shaft coupler, on my '91 D-250 4x2. The tie rod ends are still original. On my '01 2500 4x4, everything on the front end is still original, (other than shocks and brake pads) 310k miles. I do live in the dry southwest.

Nick

 

[Cloudmaster Don]

Nick - Good points, but my trustworthy alignment shop will be asked to show me the slop they found before I sign the work order. Thanks. - Cloudmaster Don

 

[Michaelsloft]

Front end parts are wear items, if you keep it long enough and put enough miles on them, there is no such thing as "one and done". With only 110k miles, make sure you need parts in the first place, before you fix something that is not broke. But yes, buy good parts, there is junk, good, better and best.

In general, it is hard to beat oem. At 300k miles I finally replaced my ball joints, coil springs, brake rotors and rebuilt my steering shaft coupler, on my '91 D-250 4x2. The tie rod ends are still original. On my '01 2500 4x4, everything on the front end is still original, (other than shocks and brake pads) 310k miles. I do live in the dry southwest.

Nick

Nick, some very good points and advise here and 310K on the front end is awesome & demonstrates the quality of OEM and taking good care of your truck!!! My 1999 front end is all original at 252K except for a track bar at 186K, brake pads at 152K and some Bilstie 4600's at around 75K only due to wanting some Bilstiens and hoping to get 300K without any front end repairs.
Have you ever checked or aligned the front end?
What size tires?

Thanks

 

[NIsaacs]

Have you ever checked or aligned the front end?
What size tires?

Thanks

I do all my own alignment with my trusty tape measure, including trailer axles. Front end shops only want to sell you parts you don't need. That's why I like Discount Tire, no alignment racks.

I run the 285/75x16 on oem wheels. I like the extra load capacity over the 245/265 size, but don't like the higher gear ratio it gives me on my already high 3.55's, 3.73's would work good for me.

Nick

 

[Michaelsloft]

I do all my own alignment with my trusty tape measure, including trailer axles. Front end shops only want to sell you parts you don't need. That's why I like Discount Tire, no alignment racks.

I run the 285/75x16 on oem wheels. I like the extra load capacity over the 245/265 size, but don't like the higher gear ratio it gives me on my already high 3.55's, 3.73's would work good for me.

Nick

Nick, I too check my alignment with my trusty tape and have not thought of checking my trailer axles. Good idea! I take extra wheels in to the tire shop for mounting and don't even want the tire shops to twist the lugs nuts! LOL

I'm considering going with some 265's with my next set of summer tires and I've seen them mounted on the stock wheels and seem to fit well. I've been hesitant to go make the gear ratio higher too, but I did us e a set of 235/85/16's for about 20K miles when I was out West with good success.

Thanks for the ideas!

Michael