Steering Wheel

[Archive]

Sasquatch,
I copied this from one of your comments :

"I just replaced my two front axle-tube seals and did a service on the two differentials at the same time. This took me almost 7 hours. I've also had to replace two transmission valve body solenoid valves, the serpentine belt, the transmission output seal and transfer case input seal, the "check engine light" sensor, and miscellaneous other piddly crap. I've had the rear brakes serviced regularly, and the front pads replaced (rotors turned) twice. I've also replaced both OEM batteries and worn out a couple of sets of tires. "

I certainly hope you don't think these problems should be expected in such a short time !!! I've was in automotive dealerships for over 20 years both as a mechanic and a service manager. I would be embarrassed to have a vehicle come to me for this much repairs with such low mileage ! ESPECIALLY such a heavy duty vehicle! Batteries, Tires and a belt , maybe... . but the rest ??? You sure are easy to get along with if you expect that !!




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1996 2500 4X4 Auto 3. 54 gears...

 

[Archive]

PSI,

Nah, there is nothing on that list that couldn't, reasonably, be expected to need replacement at between, say, 65,000-85,000 miles.

Batteries (OEM variety -- especially in a hot diesel compartment) can't be expected to last much longer than three years; particularly not in "Hot-lanta," GA. Axle tube seals typically need replacement at around 80,000 miles, but I do a lot of off-road bouncing around, and I'm running a truck which puts over 400 hp to the ground. Also, seal replacement is something that I do when I see the first hint of a leak, not after the driveway looks like an A&P parking lot. Get under your truck when it's hot and you'll likely see some seal leaks; most of our trucks leak SOMETHING. When I see that, since I do my own work, I go ahead and replace the offending seal. Many, even MOST, folks simply sprinkle cat litter under their trucks and forget about it.

So, maybe my "repair list" gives a false impression. In any case, like I said, my truck is my hobby, and is SUPER well-maintained. Maybe even "over-maintained. "

On the other hand, I want to keep this truck for a lot of years, and I don't ever want my wife breaking down in the wrong part of this city...

 

[Archive]

A week ago someone told me that ranchers he knows in location #1 use Fords since the other brands wouldn't hold up. Last night someone else told me that ranchers he knows in location #2 use Dodge/Cummins since nothing else would hold up. We "know" ranch life is hard on a truck, so we cn believe these guys, right?

In order of increasing importance or likelihood, I suggest that:
1. any brand has an occasional lemon
2. different owners have different tolerance for needed repairs, upgrades, maintenance
3. many owners have a subconscious predisposition toward a brand and the way they view problems or even treat the truck will tend to validate that preference. That is, if you give a Ford lover a Dodge, the Dodge darn sure won't hold up even if he has to drive 50 mph on mountain trails to thrash it, and resent even changing the oil as a maintenance requirement. he will "remember" that his past Fords stood up to this treatment just fine, but the darndodge won't.

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Humor, OK? (at least in part)

 

[Archive]

Wasn't trying to get a Dodge against Ford thing going. My point was there is an extremely LARGE number of people having the same problems. Pay attention now... . I'm going to say this so EVERYBODY can understand it. THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO ABUSE, OR TAKE CARE OF A FUEL SENDING UNIT ! CHRYSLER HAS A PROBLEM THEY SHOULD ADDRESS !!! THEIR FUEL SENDING UNIT SUCKS AND THEY SHOULD REPLACE THEM WHEN THEY GO BAD, WHICH SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY OFTEN ! THIS ISN'T AN ISOLATED INCIDENT !! Thank you... I may give a little on the maintenance of the steering wheel, but there is no defense for the lousy fuel sender or their attitude toward replacing it. Sorry if I got a little excited...

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1996 2500 4X4 Auto 3. 54 gears...

 

[Archive]

Easy, there, I wasn't trying to start a war either #ad
I agree the Dodge sender is not so good; mine has been getting worse lately, and will continue to do so until I feel like dropping the tank to fix it. OTOH, at least the turbo bolts don't vibrate out and #8 injector doesn't cackle (owww, OK, I admit my Cummins doesn't even HAVE a #8 injector!)
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Just look on your Ram as an "entertainment center" and those items seeking "attention" as "opportunities to spend some quality time with your Ram. " #ad

 

[Archive]

PSTnt,

Hey, man. Seriously, quit beatin' around the bush, now, will ya? You're among friends. Don't be coy. What, exactly, is your opinion of the Dodge Ram fuel sending unit? Huh, huh, huh??? Don't hold back; spit it out; let us have it ALL!

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[Archive]

For the record, I gave up and tried to trade my 98 Cummins in today. As I was just about to sign the check for a new Suburban, the salesman went into the office and made a few calls. After he returned, he said... We acnt take your truck in trade. We checked the service history and we dont want it. All I can say is F Chrysler! They first get into my shorts when I signed the $38,000 check for their worthless pile of crap, but now they make the lousy dealer repair failures PUBLIC! I called Chrysler and asked what recourse I had and their reply was "I own it". They dont want it and I should see a lawyer. I might also add that on the way back from the dealer who wouldnt take my trade, at any price, I had a panic stop on the 2 lane highway and almost had a head on with a semi coming in the other direction. YES CHRYSLER, MY TRUCK IS SAFE. . MY BUTT ITS SAFE. . TELL THAT TO THE POOR TRUCKER WHO MOST LIKELY NEEDS A NEW SEAT COVER WHERE HE PINCHED HIS BUTT TOGETHER JUST BEFORE WE ALMOST MADE LOVE!. Any of you die hard Ram lovers want a deal on a Beautiful Red Quad cab. . make me an offer before I run it off a cliff. . . I did go back to my servicing dealer and after they got their laugh, they told me to park it somewhere and leave the keys in it. With my luck some stupid thief would crash it and sue me for Chryslers faulty brakes. Also I need no crap from anyone about how great these trucks are. Mark my word, mine will kill someone sooner or later. Chrysler couldnt care less. THINK ABOUT THAT BEFORE ANYONE OUT THERE GETS THE TOTALLY STUPID IDEA TO GO OUT AND BUY A NEW DODGE. SAVE YOUR TIME AND JUST SEND ME A CHECK. THEN GO BUY A REAL TRUCK, BE IT FORD OR CHEVY. . JUST STAY OUT OF THE DODGE SHOWROOM... ... . ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I WILL GET THE JOY OF DRIVING MY D-9 OVER THIS WONDERFUL TRUCK AND THEN SETTING IT ON MY FLAT BED, DELIVERING IT TO THE FRONT CURB OF THE DEALER WITH MY NEW CHEVY... . GOOD LUCK GUYS! THIS WILL BE THE MOST FUN IVE HAD SINCE I WASTED MY MONEY ON THE LOUSY TRUCK!

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98 Quad Cab 4X4 Cummins Automatic Totally loaded Minus fuel sender plus right brake pull, no extra charge!