Susp. ride trouble

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Susp. ride trouble - 5/12/2008 12:26:13 AM    MikeB34   Posts: 4 Joined: 5/12/2008 Status: offline I am a newbie here but I do have pretty good overall knowlegde of general auto concepts and practices. I belive that what I do know, I can help others in this forum over time (more so on he deisel side, but mine is NOT). BUT, i am having trouble with my own ride. AND I know that each vehicle has it's own quirks, so I deffer to you guys. I have a : 1999 QC 4x4 RAM 360 gasser. about 50K miles (yes, thats all) I'm fighting a really bad ride.. seems to be in the front end. It will shake the heck out of you over 40 MPH on even a mildly rough paved road. I believe after checking the ball joints that I need to replace one as well as a tie rod. Does this seem like I have tooo few miles to having to repair front suspension and steering peices? my truck also "sags" to the driver side when parked. any clue there? Thanks... Mike Post #: 1

RE: Susp. ride trouble - 5/12/2008 3:34:50 AM    mstephen89 Posts: 435 Joined: 2/6/2008 Status: offline have you lifted the front end _____________________________ (in reply to MikeB34) Post #: 2

RE: Susp. ride trouble - 5/20/2008 10:07:18 PM    MikeB34   Posts: 4 Joined: 5/12/2008 Status: offline Sorry for the length in reply... been out of town. No, I personally did not lift the front end but it was owned before me. It is possible that the previous owner did lift it, If he did, it couldn't have been very much. How can I tell if it was perviously lifted? Is there a spacer in the springs or something that would differentiate it from being stock that I could look for? (sorry, first RAM, I don't know what stock would look like) thx Thumbnail Image Thumbnail Image Attachment (2) (in reply to mstephen89) Post #: 3

RE: Susp. ride trouble - 5/20/2008 10:17:19 PM    Ramman18   Posts: 188 Joined: 2/18/2007 Status: offline No, that's a stock height front end.  Sounds like you have the death wobble.  Unusual to appear in a stock truck but if you replace the track bar first (biggest steering culprit) and have it checked for alignment, you might find the other parts are good.  Of course, a loose ball joint could also cause it.  50k is a lot of miles if it was only driven in town.  Frankly, I'd rather have a truck with 100k all highway than 50k city.  Lots of steering and starting/stopping is hard on all parts.   _____________________________ 1999 1500 4x4 Xcab SB 318 nv3500 hypertech PPIII 180 stat Champion Truckplugs 4071 Flowmaster 50 (in reply to MikeB34) Post #: 4

RE: Susp. ride trouble - 5/20/2008 10:28:42 PM    padodgeram Posts: 2250 Joined: 7/28/2006 Status: offline quick way to check for ball joint is to jack up the front so the tire is off the ground and with the hands on the tire at the 12 and 6 position try to move or wiggle it , alot of play the joints are shot  , hand on the 3 and 9 position and alot of play there your tie rod problem  , You will have little movement but not alot , also make sure (if you got one) steering stablize shock is in good order ( looking at it) , but if all else is good then the track bar , but the track bar will cause the truck to wonder .. also check your front shocks , see if they are loose try to move them , inspect your front springs not crack try to move them too , time to get in and get dirty.. < Message edited by padodgeram -- 5/20/2008 10:39:07 PM > _____________________________ 96,5.2,4x4 1.7 RR skyjacker 3" PA body 3" keyless remote super swampers SSR mickeys classic II 4.56 Gears highflow cat Fastman TB 50MM transgoHD2 (in reply to Ramman18) Post #: 5

RE: Susp. ride trouble - 5/20/2008 11:12:48 PM    MikeB34   Posts: 4 Joined: 5/12/2008 Status: offline Yep... the truck does wander around a bit as well. Great advise guys, thank you. I will get it up in the air tomorrow evening and see what I can see. thx (in reply to padodgeram) Post #: 6

RE: Susp. ride trouble - 5/21/2008 5:01:44 PM    mstephen89 Posts: 435 Joined: 2/6/2008 Status: offline definately the track bar I would say, since it wanders alot _____________________________ (in reply to MikeB34) Post #: 7

RE: Susp. ride trouble - 5/21/2008 6:34:24 PM    MikeB34   Posts: 4 Joined: 5/12/2008 Status: offline Yeah makes scence, track bar bushing looks bad. But, I just noticed another problem. I was under the truck, looking when i found this: The LF Lower ball joint nut is about 1/8" - 3/16" away from being tight against the spindle. I grabbed a socket & breaker bar and could not budge the nut. Thought it may be cross threaded on there but it on there as much as the other side nut (which IS tight against spindle). Could the ball joint haved moved down creating that gap? Does it sound like I need a new ball joint? If so, Is there a DIY for it? Thanks you guys!!! Mike (in reply to mstephen89) Post #: 8

RE: Susp. ride trouble - 5/22/2008 7:40:41 AM    Aubrey   Posts: 502 Joined: 12/18/2006 Status: offline I'd say a new ball joint is in order. I believe there is a DIY on it. _____________________________ 95 1500 5.9L, 3" SkyJacker Stage II Sys, 35" Interco Trxus M/T, 16" Steel Streetlock, 4.56, Auburn Posi, Ox, Hella, Remote start, K&N, Dynomax, Custom sway links, 4x4 Posi-Lok, MSD Wires, Custom front n rear bumpers, 9500 winch (in reply to MikeB34) Post #: 9

RE: Susp. ride trouble - 5/22/2008 8:23:55 AM    MEINEKEMAN1 Posts: 130 Joined: 5/17/2008 From: PA Status: offline I would definitely start by replacing the tie rod and ball joint since you said they are bad.They are obviously going to cause you a problem. Once you eliminate the parts you know are bad,you can take it from there. _____________________________ MEINEKE CAR CARE BENSALEM,PA 1999 DODGE RAM 1500,5.9L QUAD CAB 4x4 EDELBROCK SHORTIE HEADERS MAGNA FLOW CAT VORTEX CLASSIC CAT BACK DUALS 5 INCH SKYJACKER LIFT KIT 35" INCH MICKEY THOMPSON BAJA CLAW''''S ON DICK CEPIC RIMS. SONY BLACKOUT (in reply to Aubrey) Post #: 10

RE: Susp. ride trouble - 5/22/2008 11:53:31 AM    mstephen89 Posts: 435 Joined: 2/6/2008 Status: offline +1 on  that _____________________________ (in reply to MEINEKEMAN1) Post #: 11

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