2001 dodge ram 3500 2 wheel drive. Front end "death wobble". Happens over 40 MPH when you hit a large bump. Won't stop till you slow down. Have had since new and started to fail after 36,000 mile warranty expired. Have changed ball joints and idler arm and has been to several front end shops saying nothings wrong. Currently the truck has 67,000 miles on it.
2001 Dodge RAM 3500: ball joint or control arm failure
6 of the 130 complaints about the 2001 Dodge RAM 3500 describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
What owners say
Ball joints on the front end of the dodge 3500 are dry and wear quickly causing steering to be difficult.
My husband noticed a problem with the steering, took to dealer for service, told me it needed track bar and piston, I questioned the cost he then told me only needed a front end alignment, went to repair facility recommended by dealer, specialist wouldn't do work ball joints were bad. Took it back to dealer they refused to work on the vehicle. Took truck to another dodge dealer, ball joints were so bad they were dangerous, track bar, inner tie rod, and the hub bearings crumbled when they were removed. This vehicle has an extended warranty, that is only covering the ball joints. The vehicle is a 2001 dodge 3500 4x4 dually, that has never been off paved roads it is not abused and only has 49000 miles on it and chrysler will not help I feel this is a problem with manufacturing quality.
Upper ball joints separated.
Vehicle has been to dealer a minimun of 8 times between sept and dec. 02. Steering and brake problem have never been corrected. Dealer has replaced power steering / brake fulid which had turned black. Replaced lower ball joint, tie rod, power steering pump, steering gear box. With my permission the truck was taken to the dodge tech center where the tech / trainer used my vehicle for demonstration lesson /diagnosis and determined that the hydra pump (brake cylinder) was defective. This too was replaced with no better results. Please be aware that hydraulic brakes and steering are a part of the same system and share 1 pump. The tech advisor as well as the service manager together with the mechanic agree that this system is inadequate. Dt
Vehicle wanders left and right at any speed. Vehicle taken to dealer 5 times, replaced steering box and tie rod end, did wheel alignment. Did not remedy problem. Vehicle at dealership at this time. *ak
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2001 Dodge RAM 3500 ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 2001 Dodge RAM 3500?
6 of 130 owner complaints about the 2001 Dodge RAM 3500 (5%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 2012.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2001 Dodge RAM 3500?
There is no recall or service bulletin for this area of the car on record.
Other symptoms on the 2001 Dodge RAM 3500
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