Premature lower ball joint failure in dodge ram 1500 . Truck has had unusual tire wear since 44k miles and dealer as well as tire shops found no explanation. Wheel bearings and tie rod ends were previously replaced at 68k miles by myself, with right side tie rod severely worn. I assumed the tie rod was the tire wear problem and did not have problems aligning front end until this february. Shortly thereafter, clunk in steering was evident, and handling became erratic. I carefully inspected front end and discovered right side lower ball joint worn to point where it was about to separate from socket. Left side joint is significantly worn as well. Looking back, the ball joints were wearing out at the 44k mile point. Vehicle is driven mainly on highway and in 30 years of driving and 9 vehicles this is the first one to have a ball joint failure in this manner after only 5 years of service. Research on my part has indicated that numerous dodge truck owners have this problem, onsetting in as little as 20k miles causing the same symptoms as my truck, and if I wasn't so meticulous in performing vehicle maintenance on my own this may well have resulted in a serious accident.
1998 Dodge RAM 1500 suspension complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 34 of 34, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving 20 MPH vehicle vibrated from the front passenger side of the vehicle. Also, consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership, and mechanic determined that right upper ball joint failed.
The vehicle's lower ball joints failed at 38,000 miles. The cause has yet to be determined. *nlm the consumer found that both the driver and passenger side lower ball joints were "greased out." the upper ball joint on the driver's side was out of suspension and greased out. *sc
Consumer called complaining about having problems with the bracket that holds mechanic linkage that is connected to the engine. Also, two bolts that hold bracket in place broke and caused damage to the vehicle.manufacturer and dealer were contacted and stated that the vehicle had no warranty or recalls, and they could not do anything for the consumer.
While driving the vehicle violently pulled to the right.
While driving vehicle pulls to left, which as a result of a design flaw. Axle wheel base is not the same measurement.
Gear selector shaft broke inside steering column housing, 3 dealers could not fix the problem because the entire steering column has to be replaced. *tt . Zlso, steering column/track bar for front axle, and catalytic converter malfunctioned.
I have a rubbing sound,pultsating.like warped rotor but I think it sounds like a bearing going,but I was told it mat be the wheel hub.I don't abuse the truck and it didn't look like it was before I got it so,I was wondering if it me be the recall on the fractured hub.does it sound like the symptoms ?
When attempting to make a turn a loud grinding noise can be heard. Dealer has yet to be contacted. Please provide further details.
Defect in front and braking system.
This vehicle has displayed front end alignment problems, and parts in the front end keep loosening, after purchase noticed left front wheel is shimmed out further away from vehicle than the other wheels. I was told this is a normal procedure to "balance" the vehicle after manufacture. In light of all the front end problems I need to know if this truck is safe for my family to be driving. Has testing been done after the "balancing" proceedureto insure this vehicle complies to handling and safety specifications? Do bolts loosening in the front end constitute a safety hazard? I have noticed the vehicle pulls right and sometimes seems to react with a rapid pull right to some road surface defects and has almost pulled the steering wheel from my hands. I have been working with chrysler and the dealerships since day 1 and have gone through their dispute settlement process and was told my defects to not inflict any detriment to the value, safety or usefulness of the vehicle!
Truck pulls/tracks to right, causing excessive wear of right front tire. This is the same problem I had with the 1995 dodge ram 4x4 I owned. The problem was never fixed. Sold the 95 and bought the 98, the salesman, service manager , and sales manager assured me prior to purchasing the 98 the problems with the front ends pulling to the right were fixed. I currently have the vehicle in the dealers service department for a front end inspection. At first they told me it was an alignment problem without properly inspecting the suspention. Additionally they told me I would have to pay to have the front inspected. If an alignment was needed I would have to pay for that also due to the alignment is covered only to 12000 miles. I have done quite a bit of research myself talking with other consumers and viewing information available on the web concerning the front end problems on these vehicles and there substantial evidence that indicates a large amount of consumers are experiencing the very same problem.
Rear end was built too small for v8 engine,causing it to burn up. Dealer will install a 350 rearend because 321 parts are on a nationwide backorder.
Sudden loss of steering control arms caused the vehicle to run into a ditch resultling in majior damage for the vehicle. Yh
Vehicle out of alignment, caused excessive wear to tires. Mjs
Consumer hears noises coming from the front end when turning. Dealer says that the tires are worn because vehicle needs an alignment.
We started to have problems with the van since it was purchased, we went back to the dealer rigth after we noticed a few problems with the van, such as car pulling to the rigth and a loud thump sound coming from the rigth rear side every time we pass those speed bumps. And when they inspected the van they (the dealer technicians), told me that a shock absorver needed to be replace and alignment was needed as well. After this two things were done, everything went down the hill....when I drove home the van I noticed that van was pulling still to the rigth and a noise was coming from the left front suspension when braking, is more like a cracking noise, I'll mention that this was't happening all the time, but the pulling to the rigth was. We went back with them, they aligned again...but, this time the van was not pulling to the rigth but to the left instead, this happend when driving straigth or when braking as well, we went back to the same dealer, but after some attempsof fixing this problem and a very unpleasent experiences with their (customer representaives) at desplaines dodge dealer, not to try again wih them, we contacted chrysler representatives, and told them about the very dumb comment the customer representative of desplaines dodge dealer, that they suggested to take the van to a 5 stars shop the comment the customer representative made was (that the van was pulling to the rigth because it was a safety feature build in the van to prevent people wander to the to the left in case the fell sleep, this was a very dumb thing to said. So finally we went to that 5 stars dealer, and a (big) inprovement was achieve, the van was pulling less but on this occasion instead of pulling to rigth it started to pull to the left and the steering wheel was not straight, it was croocked to the left and before was to the right. I noticed more play on the steering wheel. I'll mention that ever since we have this van in our possession the steering wheel never th.
Trucks front end oscillates when driving on concrete surface or grooved highway causing steering problems and vibration due to poor stability. Yh
Rear tail light warped resulting in leaking.
With the motor off the vehicle rolled on its own, causing vehicle to hit a pole. This is the third time the vehicle has rolled for no reason. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and they adjusted the linkage on the vehicle and they don't know what the problems is.
Vehicle consumes large volumes of oil in short periods. Also, the vehicle vibrates in the steering column area, cause unknown. *ak vehicle vibrates allover at speeds between 35-65 MPH now. Vibration started 45-55 MPH when new.
While driving the vehicle at 55 MPH the vehicle went to the right then to the left, going into oncoming traffic. Also, while applying the brakes the pedal went straight to the floorboard, consumer had to pump the brakes two to three times to get the vehicle to come to a complete stop. The vehicle has been in for repairs seven times, and the dealer still can't find the problem. *ak power steering pump was faulty.
While driving 38 to 52 MPH vibration is felt in steering wheel. Problem is constant, and when it occurs, a noise is heard. Dealers noted engineering flaw.
Vehicle vibrates severly at 45 and 65 MPH.
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