Is this the culprit?

[TylerMartin]

I recently had my rear brakes done and after about 500 miles, my truck started developing a sort of clunking coming from the driver side front tire. It isn't speed dependent but is definitely dependent on the roughness of the road and it is definitely stronger while braking. I can't so much hear the clunk but I can definitely feel the clunk in the pedals and steering when coming to a stop or hitting a bump.



I got home and tore off my front wheel to see if something was lose like the brake caliper or ball joints (which were just replaced as well). I couldn't find anything lose until I tugged on the drag link and the bar moved with about an inch or two of play front to back. Upon further inspection, the bushing on the driver's side tie-rod end looks a little damaged and the steering dampener shock moves freely in and out (no pressure or spring).



So, I put everything else back together and called the dealer. They said that it will be covered under warranty but now I'm worried once they see that I have 35" tires and aftermarket rims (just put on last week) that they will deny warranty. I don't have my stock tires anymore.



Question #1: Do you think this is the culprit of the clunking I'm hearing/feeling?



Question #2: Do you think that the tires will be a problem? I have a receipt to prove that I just put them on.



Question #3: Is the steering shock supposed to be able to move in and out with minimal force? If that's not covered under warranty, does Monroe, Rancho, etc. , make a shock that will fit? If so, what are the part #'s.





Thanks for the help guys/girls.





T.

 

[JOblenes]

I am not sure what part of Alberta you're from but here in Calgary I have had mixed results at the dealers. Actually I just posted a couple of days ago about a problem I was having with steering/brakes and I was preparing myself for a fight about my steering system which was messed up before I went to 35" tires. In the end I didn't have to agure they just replaced the steering gear, no questions asked and I have custom suspension, winches, etc. , This was at Eastside Dodge. On my 1500 I had previously I damaged the transmission offroading (water deep enough to flood the cab) and they did not cover it (not that I was expecting them to), on another occasion they gave me a hard time over an aftermarket air filter, told me if I had it in next time I brought the truck in they would void my engine warranty. Crowfoot Dodge, Varsity Chrysler, and Big 4 Dodge all sell trucks off of the lot with lift kits and 37's installed so I would presume they are also "llift friendly". FWIW I am told by folk that offroad around here that Cochrane Dodge is owned/operated by folks who are into offroading, and are very sympathetic to lifts, etc.



Jonathan

 

[TylerMartin]

Thanks for the info Jonathan. I'm in Edmonton actually and I bought my truck from Southtown Chrysler. They have an excellent service department (part of the reason I bought from them) but the last few times I've had my truck in, one service advisor constantly gives me a hard time about chips and performance programmers because I am able to tell him what codes I'm getting (by turning the key forward 3 times) and he thinks I have a programmer. At the bottom of every service record he writes," The use of computer programmers or performance enhancing modules will void your entire truck warranty". I don't have a chip or anything, but I suppose with my exhaust and intake it looks like I could have a chip/programmer.



My next mod will be a performance suspension. How do you like the Lorenz set-up? I really like the way your truck looks with it. Judging by the pictures, I assume you work in either oil and gas or construction. Does the suspension stand up to Alberta's demanding conditions? I work from Zama to the US border and drive my truck on everything from highways to goat trails and I'm looking for a reliable suspension mod that can take a beating.



Thanks again for the info.



T.