1997 Dodge RAM 1500: pulls to one side

Filed Sep 5, 2015 · Body, Steering · 174,387 miles · WI · crash

When driving out of a hospital parking structure, when coming to the exit on the lowest level you must make a sharp right turn into the exit booth lane. When turning right, it was as if a "tooth" inside the steering gear broke off causing a collision with the rail while exiting the parking structure. Now the steering has an excessive amount of play and while in the center of the (steering play) it is as it binds or sticks at times where the "tooth" used to be on the steering gear. It has become quite dangerous to drive, especially at high speeds or on the interstate as the vehicle tends to wander now and follow the cracks in the road. I have owned dodge ram pickups for the last 20 years since I bought my first brand new ram pickup and let me tell you, they have all had issues with loose steering boxes, even the new one. But when they break, that is a dangerous situation that people cannot see coming with a normal inspection as on the outside, wear is undetectable. I have been an ase certified technician the better part of my adult life and this is unacceptable. I am sure chrysler has investigated this issue already and found that it would just cost too much to recall all these vehicles to repair them but the least they could do is sell a part priced at cost to share the burden with the consumer. It may save someone's life

Filed Jul 18, 2005 · Steering · PA

I purchased this truck in a damaged condition after replacing parts that were necessary on front suspinion including track bar which was worn badly for a truck with only 65000 miles truck was taken in for an alignment even after this truck has tendency to wander on road I beleave this is caused by incorrect preload on steering sector which can be adjusted upon researching this on internet I find this tends to be a common problem on these trucks I called chrysler to see if they would do any kind of policy adjustment on box they said no I feel that this is a safety issue and not a wear problem and sense truck was wreaked by previous owner I wonder if this might have been a contributing factor as the looseness in steering box is not connected to accident and with number of people complaining cannot be coinsidential

Filed Apr 9, 1999 · Brakes · AZ

I have had extensive brake problems with my 97 dodge ram. There has always been a rattle from the front driver's side wheel area. There has also been a intermittent brake pull to the driver side. It became a serious problem after the brakes were replaced at 12000 miles. The truck has also had excessive pad wear. The first set was replaced on5/15/98 with 12314 miles on the truck. The second set was replaced on6/1/98 with 13093 miles. The third set was replaced on 8/13/98 with 16336 miles on the truck. The fourth set of brakes was replaced on 4/6/99 with 25323 miles on the truck. Counting the original set of brakes, which started squealing at approximately 12000 miles, I have had five sets of front brake pads and three sets of rotors put on this truck. Not to mention that the intermittent brake pull has not gone away. Even after installing this last set of pads. I went to arbitration. I had witness statements, but the arbitrator denied my claim to have daimler chrysler purchase my truck back. I have also had many close calls when the truck would pull to the left into oncoming traffic. The truck has also bounced off of the center median more than once. The pattern is always the same. I get the truck back from a brake repair and it is fine for one to two weeks. After a short while, one to two weeks, the truck starts to make a rattling noise from the front drivers side wheel well, then the brake pedal will get soft. Then the intermittent brake pull starts all over again. I would appreciate any help that you could give me. I have lost confidence in this vehicle, and will not drive it any more than I have to. I also will not let my wife drive it or loan it out to any friends.

Filed Jun 16, 1998 · Suspension · CA

Vehicle pulls pulls to the right as if out of alignment.

Filed Oct 20, 1997 · Acceleration · TX

Engine surges at idle; also pulls to one side or the other when braking.

Filed Jan 7, 1997 · Brakes · PA · crash · 1 injury

Abs brakes pulled to left and locked up, causing consumer to hit enbankment and went into someone's yard.