So Long Dodge

[BILLYGEE]

Well got bad news from dealer. There is nothing they can do about steering wander on 2001. 5 2500 4x4. They know it's a problem but there is no sure fix. Service manager said mine drives better than many or most. I told him I'd hate to drive worst. Told him to send me service records from time of first complaint at 3000 miles. Because when I go to arbitration I'm not accepting any mileage depreciation bs. I won't accept another Dodge because I'll probably have the same crap. Thought about waiting for summer for the new body style but the 4-door is a joke. I tested one yesterday. Sat in the back seat, my knees are against the front seat back, not much more room than current qc. Oh they definitely will have the steering problem fixed with the rack and pinion set-up, the 1/2 ton is very quick and tight on the steering. I'm about 6'.

I drove a 2002 Powerstroke CC yesterday. Truck rode and handled nice w/leafs all-around. Engine is much quieter than my Cummins and snappier in stock form although I know I can get a lot more out of little six banger. About 1/2 of it is stuck under cowl. Lots of room in front and back seats. I could be tempted, especially if I could put the Cummins in there. Waiting to see what happens... Bill

 

[Big Wheel]

Billy you are right dodge has has that steering problum around for years on there 4x4 and thay cant fix it. Mine has it i used the frits wed sight fix on it and it helped a lot but its not right but its liveable. I am going to pick up my new 2002 truck tomarow but i dont expect it to steer very good i never had a dodge 4x4 that did.

 

[Cobra]

Dodge trucks

Bill,

As you can see in my signature, I too have an 01. 5 2500 4x4. Yeah it wanders some, and yeah it isn't the prefect vehicle, but I also ride a Harley. If you know anything about MC then you know that Harley has some problems. But, (back to the truck) I think the Dodge is the best looking truck, it has class, and from what I know of diesels, the Cummins is top of the line. Admittedly I know very little, but I know what I like, and I like the Dodge with the Cummins. And this is my first Dodge and my first diesel ever. Thats my truck and I'm stickin to it.

 

[BILLYGEE]

Dodge vs. Harley

Yeah Cobra I hear ya. Now I wish I'd kept my 98. 5 3500. I once blew the doors(patches) off some biker on his shovelhead when I shifted into fifth at 3700 as I went around him. I wish I'd kept my '99 Superglide Sport, too. I could drive that thing no/hands for miles with the seat of my pants at 80mph, wouldn't dare let go of the wheel of my Dodge... Be a big wreck. (probably has something to do with front wheel caster... If Dodge put as much quality control and engineering into my Ram as HD put in that scooter I wouldn't be complaining. Bill

 

[WCrovo]

I also have a HD and I work on them, as well as design specilized parts for them. They a POS. The CTD is much better QC. I love my HD but most of what the motor co. dose is as cheap as they can get it done. There stongest point is paint and some chrome parts.

 

[SnoKing]

How much air do you run in your rear tires. I run mine at around 40lbs empty and I handles fine, except that it has a slight pull to the left. SNOKING

 

[Jar Head]

Bye.

 

[merryman]

My current Dodge, an01 and my last Dodge both 4X4 have driven beautifully. Both drive as well as either wifes current new Buick and her last car a Cadilac. Elk season, I traveled with buddy in his '01 Ford F-350 and drove it a couple hundred miles. It did not drive a bit different than my Dodge.

Seems rediculous that your dealers can't solve the problem you are having. Think I would try a real front end shop.

My last Ford had a brake problem. When two dealers couldn't figure the problem out, I sat down with the shop manual and about 30 minutes reading and I found a clear explaination and a detailed fix that took all of another 30 minutes. I had spent a couple hundred bucks at two dealers for nothing.

Vaughn

 

[danandamy]

I can't buy this, "There's no fix" crap. They need to put a little effort into it. I have heard this 4x4 steering complaint from alot of guys. The thing is, I have a 95 4x4 and it steers like a dream You can take your hands off the wheel flying down the highway doing 70 and comb your hear, pick your seat or anything else you want to do Point is, they don't ALL steer like crap. It seems to me it wouldnt' be that hard for Dodge to set two trucks side by side, one that steers good and one that doesn't and find out what's different. Too simple maybe?



Dan

 

[Deezul1]

Take it to a good front end shop and have some positive caster set in it. Thats what controls wander which is why the dragsters have such a large amount set in them, it makes it go real straight all by itself. If they tell you it cant be done then its not a good shop. It involves tilting the king pin angle rearward at the top . I havnt looked at the Dodges but I think its a straight axle so all it takes is figure out how to tilt it. With leaf springs we installed shims between the leaf and the housing and it worked great.

 

[mbrolin]

Make sure the caster specs are within range. I adjusted my 01 to +3. 5 degs. There have been some cases of steering boxes being replaced as well. Do a search in the archives on this. Also its possible it could be the tires especially if you have the Good Years. I have the Michelins,pull a 5er with a GCVW of close to 19k and it drives great.

 

[Briar Hopper]

merryman and Deezul1 are correct, you need to take it to a good front end shop. Not a tire store that also does alignments. Not the dealer. Find a shop that works on school buses and medium trucks, they'll be able to help you.

I have an '01, it needs a new track bar and a ball joint. No warranty, I'm out of luck. Also will be needing a steering gear box soon!

You might be able to get the dealer to pay for the work at another shop. I'd have it diagnosed at the other shop first, so you'll have a leg to stand on when confronting the dealer...

 

[DarrellB]

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye



I have a 99 4x4 and I can pull my camper in heavy cross winds and still only keep one hand on the wheel. While it's empty you can drive with no hands and blind folded. (OK maybe not no hands)

 

[LSMITH]

If the Dodge irritates you and the Ford suits you go for it!!!!! Life is too short to have a $30K plus truck that pisses you off everytime you drive it. I had steering problems on mine too. It was one trip to the dealer away from being traded off when they finally fixed it. Like I said, life is short. Do what you want while you can. The ford is not a bad truck or a bad engine. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[StevenWalker]

My truck had a steering problem. I took it to a dealer that knew something and they alined it properly and replaced the steering box. (Excessive end play in the pitman shaft). Was done under warrenty. Everything is fine now and it drives great.

Steve

 

[HDH]

As Stated Above

By Michael Brolin,Deezul 1,merryman;

BILLYGEE;

I would Find another Dealer that Actually Has Competant Mechanic's Not just the So Called "Techs". IMO these Dealers Anymore Have a Bunch Yahoo Boneheads for the service dept staff, That they Hired from a Radioshack that was going out of Business.

Anymore, If the "Tech" plgs in the DRB Scan Tool and See's No Codes, Then there is nothing wrong in his sorry excuse for a Mind.



HEY DC, Ever Heard of Trouble Shooting the Problem? You Bunch of @#$%&^#@ Morons!

Bill Good Luck, And I hope you keep your CTD and Have it Fixed Right.

BTW, When i Started having some wandering problems, I rotated the Tires (that helped some), But Late found out the tracbar (Panhard rod) was toast. I replaced it with a Moog part. All's well now!. .

No Wander for the 40k miles. . Truck now has 80k on it

Doug.

 

[redneckdr]

front end wander

this is only to echo two other thoughts in the thread. if you are interested in keeping the dodge, go to a GOOD front end shop. i had a '91 phord 4X4 (a true lemon, but that's another story). it dogtracked and pulled so hard to the right, that it would wear you out on a long trip. dealers every where said couldn't be fixed. finally took it into a local guy who knows his stuff; $150 later, drove like a dream. it then was the best part of the POS.

second, life is TOO short to put up with something irritating you like that. if the phord will work better for you, GO FOR IT. good luck and find some way to enjoy your truck--whether it be a goat, or some thing wearing the blue oval.

 

[ftb87]

I too had the sever pull to the right. However, with the installation of the Ingle Ball Joint (adjustable)..... NO MORE PULL. You might want to try to call them or have you dealership call them to install.



My truck was one of the 1st to have this done. Its been in for almost 8 mos. now... . no pull and drives great.



Ingle Products part number 615IS. Their number is 800-641-9795.



If you have any questions call me 800-447-1857.





Frank

 

[jeepit]

BillyGee, Just noticed you are from Manitowoc. Call Accurate Alignment in Sheboygan. Mike can help you out. I found that his work is a step above anyone else. If he can't help you, nobody can.

 

[jeepit]

BillyGee, Forgot to mention Mike also owns a Dodge Cummins.