My 1999 Ram 1/2 ton 4x4

[agoldbach]

I wanted to see if any of you Dodge owners experienced a similar problem with your trucks as I did with mine. Here's the story:



I bought a new 1999 model year 1500 SB,4x4,SLT sport, reg cab, 5. 9L in June of 1999. I had the truck for roughly 2 months and 2500miles when it began to develope this really loud metal-on-metal squealing problem coming from the left front tire area. It wasn't the engine because it would only happen when I was moving. and not right away. It would take a few miles to warm up before it started. It was like brake squealing except it was constant and it wasn't the brakes. It was getting so loud it was embarrasing, so I took it back to the dealer and told them what happened. They told me it was a loose heat shield and was rubbing on the axel. I was a little miffed because it was brand new! They tightned it up and I was on my way. No squealing and I am happy again. It took about 3 days for it to come back and I was a little more irritated. I made anothe appointment for 2 weeks later (the dealer always has a 2-3 week backlog) and took it back in. This time they told me that it was the fron axel bearings that were known for being under-greased at the factory. The technician told me that they were removed and greased, then replaced. Again I was on my way and the squealing was gone, until the next day when it came back. A little more angry, back to the dealer, same thing happened. After the fifth time, the squealing came back, I was on my way home from work and so angry I couldn't see straight. I drove into a Ford dealer and traded it for the first vehicle I saw (2000 Explorer Sport - Lease). I Really miss having a truck and love the new ones. My lease is up this October and I want to buy another Dodge, but I am a little gun shy. Have any of you had a persistent nagging problem like this with any of your trucks, especially the 2500/3500 which is what I want to get this time around.



V/R Adam



#@$%!

 

[duaneparks]

I owned a '97 1500 4x4 CC SB which had the same Dana 44 front axle your '99 had and I too had bearing problems. However, after the first set was replaced, it did not happen again.



I did have a set of bearings in the 9. 25 rear fail and take the yoke out with it... but that was at 135,000 not-so-easy miles.



I then had a '99 2500 4x4 gasser with the Dana 60 front axle (same as the diesels) and only had to replace the track bar once, and the steering intermediate shaft once. No other problems.



The '01 2500 4x4 that I currently have has had absolutely NO mechanical problems to date, only Dodge related problems (broken clock spring in the steering).



I'd venture a guess that if you wanted to once again step into the Dodge arena, you'd be satisfied, especially with a diesel powered one. Good luck with whatever you choose.



Duane