Ram question

V2wings · 05-02-2018, 05:04 PM

Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I HAVE a 2005 2500 Ram with 78900 miles that I just had to rebuild the whole front end. It JUST seems that it should have lasted longer that that. I'm worred that it might be an expensive on going problem.

Canonman · 05-02-2018, 05:10 PM

There were recalls for front end/steering problems on my 07. Might help?
https://www.cars.com/recalls/ram-2500/

laidback · 05-02-2018, 05:45 PM

2008 140,00 no problems yet.

66joej · 05-02-2018, 06:09 PM

SIL had an 05 Ram 2500 with the heavier Cummins engine. The front end was replaced shortly after the 3 year bumper to bumper ran out. He found out it was a fairly common problem with the heavy engine. Gassers not so much.

tech740 · 05-02-2018, 06:14 PM

I have a 2010 worth the Cummins and just did the entire front end on mine also. Only 114k.

**sourdough** · 05-02-2018, 06:28 PM

Had 2003 Ram 1500, 106,000 miles and tight as a drum when I traded her in. Not a 2500 but I've not had a front end problem with a Ram in my experience, 1500/2500. 2500 is newer model.

V2wings · 05-02-2018, 07:15 PM

I neglected to say that the truck has a 5.9 cumin’s in it

**hankpage** · 05-02-2018, 07:39 PM

I had a '94 2500 and needed considerable front end work around 100k. My '04.5 needed the same at around 90k. Traded the '94 at 179k and front end was still tight. Hoping the '04 will be the same with aftermarket grease-able parts .... only 100k now. ..... Still think both are great trucks. The only engine parts replaced on either one was a $30. idler pulley and a $79. lift pump. So I really can't complain.
That front end is much cheaper than a new truck!!!

mtofell · 05-02-2018, 08:42 PM

My 06 Chevy 2500 went through front end parts like crazy. Hubs, pitman arm and other things I can't remember the name of. That's honestly what made me sell it and buy my Ram. A couple thousand dollars every couple years just seemed excessive. Granted, I had close to 150K when I sold it but I think I was into just the front suspension for close to 5K. Other than that the truck was nearly flawless.

I'm at 70K with my current Ram 2500 with no problems so far but we'll see. The diesel engine likely does add to the wear and tear due to the added weight.

wiredgeorge · 05-03-2018, 05:22 AM

I have always owned Ford trucks and they don't go past 100K without new front ends; tie rods, bushings, etc. Less, if you live in Medina Co. Texas where not a lot is spent on the roads... places with bad roads mean more frequent front ends on a Ford.

KHBama · 05-03-2018, 06:51 AM

I have a 2017 2500 that no one can get aligned properly. Been to 4 shops and finally to delearship. Dealership said all is well... meanwhile I’m driving down the interstate with a crooked steering wheel

Canonman · 05-03-2018, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KHBama

I have a 2017 2500 that no one can get aligned properly. Been to 4 shops and finally to delearship. Dealership said all is well... meanwhile I’m driving down the interstate with a crooked steering wheel

Does the wheel just naturally sit in that position when running in a straight line? Or, do you have to hold it there to keep the truck running straight?

KHBama · 05-03-2018, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canonman

Does the wheel just naturally sit in that position when running in a straight line? Or, do you have to hold it there to keep the truck running straight?

Now I have to hold it there to keep it straight. Previously, it was running off the road to the right when I straightened the steering wheel. I've been told the camber is off by 2.6 degrees which may result in a bent frame. Then I was told the camber is off by .3 degrees. They've rotated tires, cross rotated tires, alignments etc. Out of pocket about $300 total between 4 shops with this result is mind boggling

notanlines · 05-03-2018, 09:17 AM

Here is a little info on the now infamous Dodge death wobble and the buy-back plan/suit:
http://blog.truckrecalls.trucklemonl...back-your.html
Older Dodge pickups have synonymous with death wobble front-ends for ages.

**sourdough** · 05-03-2018, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KHBama

Now I have to hold it there to keep it straight. Previously, it was running off the road to the right when I straightened the steering wheel. I've been told the camber is off by 2.6 degrees which may result in a bent frame. Then I was told the camber is off by .3 degrees. They've rotated tires, cross rotated tires, alignments etc. Out of pocket about $300 total between 4 shops with this result is mind boggling

You might look closer at the tires/wheels. You said currently you have to keep it turned as in the pic....to the right indicating a left pull. Then you said previously it was going right, which would have had the wheel cocked to the left. In between you said you've had the tires rotated etc. Sure sounds like moving the tires changed the pull. A front end doesn't change alignment issues, or bent frames just because you move the tires around.

Canonman · 05-03-2018, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KHBama

Now I have to hold it there to keep it straight. Previously, it was running off the road to the right when I straightened the steering wheel. I've been told the camber is off by 2.6 degrees which may result in a bent frame. Then I was told the camber is off by .3 degrees. They've rotated tires, cross rotated tires, alignments etc. Out of pocket about $300 total between 4 shops with this result is mind boggling

Not the same issue as mine then. When I had the recall front end work done the steering wheel "looks" at about 1:00. That's just where it sits when the front wheels are straight.

BamaRam · 05-03-2018, 06:15 PM

I just put a new front end under my 04.5 at 102k. I ordered the parts and did it myself. Moog Upper and lower CAs, tie rod ends, sway bar links and bushings, spring insulators, OEM springs and brakes, Monroe reflex shocks.

The intent was to get rid of the "lubed for life" parts and several grease boots were rotten. As far as wear, I found the left lower ball joint had about .025 play. I imagine this was the occasional pop i had when hitting a bump at certain radius turns. Additionally the LCA bushings were rotten and cracked. Could not get any play out of them, they just looked toasted.

Before i started my truck pulled to the right and the wheel was off to keep it straight. And it was raked to the front indicating weak springs.

I marked the UCA bushing mount position before tearing down and mounted the new ones in the same spot. The alignment tech didnt have to touch them. Just had to set the tow. Says a lot for Moog parts.

I don't know if you have a 2wd or 4wd, but if it's a 2wd and you want to replace the springs, no one (that I could find) markets them but Supersprings (SuperCoil). I didnt buy them because when I pulled the label off the stock springs, they had different part numbers. This tells me that one side of the truck is heavier than the other and the Supercoils don't compensate for it like the OEMS. I didnt want to take a chance.

The result of all this is it's like driving a new truck. Lifted front end about an inch and holds the road.

UCA and/or LCA bushing may be the problem with the camber. It difficult to determine if they are bad unless out of the truck or bolts loosened.

If you have a 2wd and decide to do it yourself let me know and i can give you some pointers.

BamaRam · 05-03-2018, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V2wings

Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I HAVE a 2005 2500 Ram with 78900 miles that I just had to rebuild the whole front end. It JUST seems that it should have lasted longer that that. I'm worred that it might be an expensive on going problem.

Those lube for life components don't last for life. If the installer used parts with grease fittings and you grease them you should be good for a while. Did they install new springs?

V2wings · 05-04-2018, 06:27 AM

No new springs. Also the truck is a 4x4

Nlambert · 05-07-2018, 10:45 AM

Yep...

I've got a 2012 Ram 2500 with 84k miles. Between 50-80k I have replaced:

Both front hubs
both tie rods
both end links
both sway bar bushings
track bar
Installed a steering stabilizer brace
steering dampener
shocks

The only thing left at this point are ball joints. The truck is good and tight now but it took me 2 years to get it there.

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