Tired of this......

[Deleted member 995608]

My re-man Cummins injectors suck. My AAM front end sucks.



My front end was rebuilt twice under warranty and now I'm doing it myself for the third time-200k miles and counting. New upper/lowers, bearing hubs, tie rods etc.



What a POS. Ain't selling it or buying a new one. I'm just thankful for my Napa owner buddy and Napa's limited lifetime warranty.

 

[rjones]

Im in the same boat buddy I just spent 1200. 00 on front end parts for the second time in 110k less the links in my previous post plus truck is starting to rust bad in the rocker panels,,,,,

 

[Blue Ox1]

I think the fords are just as bad,Had to do ball joints again at 125 k,dealer replaced orig set at 60 k . My Dodge has held much better I think it's luck of the draw.

 

[SWithrow]

I replaced my injectors with new bosch injectors after being told that the remans do not use 100% new componets. Along with the new injectors I upgraded my CP3 to a stage1 from T&C Diesel, very much pleased with the service at T&C Diesel.

Just placed a order for the 08. 5 steering upgrade plus balljoints. This will be the 3rd time for balljoints. (200k) The first replacement was at 40k and the second was at 80k, the first was stock parts(Dealer paid) and the last set I had installed were Moog and held up okay. I will be installing XRF balljoints this time and hope they last longer than the Moogs. I still need to order the power steering unit along with the pump. Good luck with your repairs.

 

[TGVET]

My re-man Cummins injectors suck. My AAM front end sucks.

My front end was rebuilt twice under warranty and now I'm doing it myself for the third time-200k miles and counting. New upper/lowers, bearing hubs, tie rods etc.

What a POS. Ain't selling it or buying a new one. I'm just thankful for my Napa owner buddy and Napa's limited lifetime warranty.

You forgot to mention that you're lucky you have a 3/4ton NOT a 3500 like me because over 8600gross that so called "warranty" ain't worth dog feces as I recently found out with less than a year on my parts. Needless to say, the parts I bought via my Mech. & NAPA with the fore mentioned warranty left me using every four letter word when I was given the news. Should I put some blame on the shop ? Yes, because, I specifically emphasized prior to ordering anything "TOP OF THE LINE EXTRA HEAVY DUTY PARTS" when replacing any OEM crap and I was assured that's what they ordered. (wheel U-joints w/zurcs specifically) They were just as surprised when told by their supplier after giving the GVW no deal and obviously embarrassed which does me no good financially.

As far as keeping the truck and keeping it running, yup. I will never buy another new rig from anyone. Ford, GM, and especially Dodge after what "I thought was" one hell of a rig. So many problems in such a short time its disgusting, disheartening and makes me think those who build em are lucky I don't go postal. . #@$%!

The only good thing is, at least I can crawl into the engine compartment and actually work on the damn thing unlike the other Mnfrs.

 

[mwilson]

Just looked up the NAPA Warranty and it is as TGVET says.



90 days only on vehicles over 8,000lb GVW... ... ...



See the second page of the attached... deceptive at best as the first page would not lead you to believe that there is a second page.



Mike.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

You forgot to mention that you're lucky you have a 3/4ton NOT a 3500 like me because over 8600gross that so called "warranty" ain't worth dog feces as I recently found out with less than a year on my parts. Needless to say, the parts I bought via my Mech. & NAPA with the fore mentioned warranty left me using every four letter word when I was given the news. Should I put some blame on the shop ? Yes, because, I specifically emphasized prior to ordering anything "TOP OF THE LINE EXTRA HEAVY DUTY PARTS" when replacing any OEM crap and I was assured that's what they ordered. (wheel U-joints w/zurcs specifically) They were just as surprised when told by their supplier after giving the GVW no deal and obviously embarrassed which does me no good financially.



As far as keeping the truck and keeping it running, yup. I will never buy another new rig from anyone. Ford, GM, and especially Dodge after what "I thought was" one hell of a rig. So many problems in such a short time its disgusting, disheartening and makes me think those who build em are lucky I don't go postal. . #@$%!



The only good thing is, at least I can crawl into the engine compartment and actually work on the damn thing unlike the other Mnfrs.

Sorry ya feel that way. I was Dodge when Dodge wasn't cool. Still am, always will.



Besides the 50K front end rebuilds, this is the best Dodge truck I've ever owned.



Over 200k miles, I've changed the disc brake pads once-still using OEM rotors, two water pumps, one fan clutch, clutch at 130K, one set of batteries and injectors at 184K (I wanted new injectors but weren't avail)



I think that is pretty dang good for a truck that get's used like a truck. I maintain it well and in return, it takes care of me.

 

[Cosmo]

3/4 tons are still 8800 pound gross, so the warranty won't hold for them either.

When I sold my 08 with 67k, the only thing I had to replace (aside from me melting down the trans being stupid) was a front axle u-joint. I never had to mess with the brakes, ball joints, steering, or anything else. All in all it was a pretty good truck.

I too was a Dodge fan before Dodge was popular with the flat-billers. My first was an 86 W250, which was an exceptional truck.

 

[AH64ID]

Based on what I read you get what you pay for, the NAPA, Moog, i. e. cheaper front end components don't seem to hold up. You spend less cash, but you spend it more often.

I am at 75K, and my BJ's are starting to show some wear and will probably have to be changed this fall, I'd like to wait til spring but we shall see.

I really can't complain, I haven't had any issues with the truck other than a seeping CP3, which was warrantied. I changed the clutch, but that was power related not wear related. I spend a lot of time on dirt roads, and a lot of that time towing.

My biggest complaint is the 5,200lb rated front axle. I sit at 4,800 lb empty, and about 5,300 lbs when the family loads up with no cargo. Towing I am at a bout 5K. To me this is the reason we can't keep BJ's under these trucks, we are at GAWR, give or take, nearly all the time. Dodge really needs to get with AAM to make this a 6K or 6. 5K axle, and 95% of these issues will go away.

 

[TGVET]

Sorry ya feel that way. I was Dodge when Dodge wasn't cool. Still am, always will.



Besides the 50K front end rebuilds, this is the best Dodge truck I've ever owned.



Over 200k miles, I've changed the disc brake pads once-still using OEM rotors, two water pumps, one fan clutch, clutch at 130K, one set of batteries and injectors at 184K (I wanted new injectors but weren't avail)



I think that is pretty dang good for a truck that get's used like a truck. I maintain it well and in return, it takes care of me.

Jim,

I am a maintenance freak. I have put countless hours, actually, I have every hour/mileage and date recorded into my owners service/maintenance log that came with my truck, it is almost completely filled up on both sides now. You know, the one where the stealership would record and tear out the stub ?



Thousands of $$$ invested in doing so as well. Given the fact that I was able to put 476,000 miles in 10 years on my factory ordered 95 GMC K2500 Suburban /w6. 5TD (my first diesel) I expected NOTHING LESS for a new truck with newer, better technology and after test driving Ford then GM then Ram and deciding the Dodge WAS IT. .



To say I was seriously let down with my expectations in the longevity of my $45,000. 00+ truck (money that I work very hard for) would be an under statement.



244,000 highway miles, never lugging around a ton of crap or towing any heavy trailers, never off roading just taking care of my "pampered rig" that I relied upon daily 100% to get me to work and back. I think (and apparently countless others do also) I have every right to be disgusted with the return investment.



Anyhow, I'm done ranting on what a POS my Dodge is. Further posts on its failures and fixes will be added in time but I'm done with the condemnations.



Anecdotaly speaking, a friend of mine commented in 1977 about my brand new Chevy Monza Spyder and how it (and American cars in general) were built to last about 5 years as they were crap. I proved that wrong by maintaining it getting over 250K on it before selling.



NOW, I do believe that. Cheap, under built, plastic crap everywhere with built in failures by design to keep the public buying new cars and or pouring $$$$ into fixing them.

 

[Slow Six]

I had the Carli ball joints installed on my 03. They were expensive but cost effective. Front end was still tight when I traded the truck. I do agree though that the front ends should be better.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I had the Carli ball joints installed on my 03. They were expensive but cost effective. Front end was still tight when I traded the truck. I do agree though that the front ends should be better.

I thought about them but I've already invested in the tools to change out the El Cheapo parts. I can disassemble and reassemble in no time flat so for now, the Carli joints are on the "To think about list. " I'm planning/hoping to buy a 2013 Dodge. If it has the same issues, I'll put Carli's on it and keep my 04. 5 up with routine 50k rebuilds



You and AH64ID are correct about the front ends.

 

[sag2]

My neighbor has 190,000 on his 2006 now. So far we have replaced one left side axle joint. He has just a slight amount of play in the left hub bearing. Other than that, no ball joints, no U-joints, one set of brake pads and rotors. Runs great, no visible wear on the tires, drives like new.

We may freshen up the injectors this summer, but other than that it has been an awesome truck.

 

[SierraRam]

I keep waiting for my ball joints to raise their ugly head, 70,000 miles almost all of it running the 37's. I was planning on having to replace them fairly often. Truck still drives fine and no noticeble increase in play.



I have always wondered wy some have multiple BJ failures in a very low mileage spread while others never do?

 

[NIsaacs]

I have always wondered wy some have multiple BJ failures in a very low mileage spread while others never do?

I think the biggest issue is the climate they live in. Cold weather and wet/snowy roads kill the seals.



I live in a mild weather area and have 200k+ miles on my original '01.



Nick

 

[rscurtis]

Here's the real problem with the BJ's- they're under-engineered. The larger joint is a replacement Moog for my signature truck which I bought early on before the premium replacements became available. The slightly smaller one is for my '83 Mercedes, which was over-engineered. They're virtually the same diameter save for 1 or 2MM. The entire Mercedes weighs 1000# less than the front end on the truck. The LF BJ on the car had a broken rubber boot, but since the BJ was still perfect after almost 30 years and 123K miles, I just changed the boot. Interestingly enough, the car has a completely maintenance-free front end- there's not a grease fitting in sight.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Here's the real problem with the BJ's- they're under-engineered. The larger joint is a replacement Moog for my signature truck which I bought early on before the premium replacements became available. The slightly smaller one is for my '83 Mercedes, which was over-engineered. They're virtually the same diameter save for 1 or 2MM. The entire Mercedes weighs 1000# less than the front end on the truck. The LF BJ on the car had a broken rubber boot, but since the BJ was still perfect after almost 30 years and 123K miles, I just changed the boot. Interestingly enough, the car has a completely maintenance-free front end- there's not a grease fitting in sight.

The entire outter end, including the knuckles need some more beef

.

 

[TGVET]

My neighbor has 190,000 on his 2006 now. So far we have replaced one left side axle joint. He has just a slight amount of play in the left hub bearing. Other than that, no ball joints, no U-joints, one set of brake pads and rotors. Runs great, no visible wear on the tires, drives like new.

We may freshen up the injectors this summer, but other than that it has been an awesome truck.

Sag, S. R. , just keep that wishful thinking attitude because as you know,. attitude is everything. . Then after the big crap happens, you can recall what a "great truck it was"...

 

[steved]

I'm in the same boat... 266k on the clock, bought the truck with less than 200 miles. I've invested LOADS of $$ into repairs and preventative mods... pretty much all highway and very little towing. Just popped $1500 in the front end, just to get it to feel normal again. I thought by buying a 3rd gen with a manual trans, things would be perfect... I'd rather have my 99 with the auto, it was more reliable.



I'm in the market for another truck right now... probably won't be another Dodge, and I've been a Dodge guy since before I could drive, been driving a Cummins-powered one since 1995. Mainly because the front suspension hasn't been updated significantly, and I really don't want to go through that entire deal again. I'm really even contemplating whether I even want another diesel with all their emissions devices, added upfront cost, and right now; extra cost for fuel... reading these forums, it appears none of the newer CTDs are getting significant fuel mileage gains over a gasser.



Probably will regret some of it, but I will live with that... guess I'm getting older...

 

[TGVET]

Back when I was 24 my 67 yo friend told me the country was going to cruble / collapse from

within. Now, I'm 58 and can relate that to so many aspects including but not limited to, goods and items we use and need everyday. My friend was a visionary.