96 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

partsmore - 21 Dec 2006 20:17 GMT

Just drove a customers 96 Dodge 4x4 Ram--- I flushed a very dirty coolant
system out - three times!! Only 106k miles, and very well maintianed -
except the antifreeze!
Replaced all of thecoolant hoses also and flushed heater core. Thermostat
also.

BUT -it steers very hard.
He just replaced the steering stabilizer, and the shocks, and everything
looks good, drives straight -
but compared to the 5-6 of these Ive owned -
it acts long manual steering!!
Ideas?

He also has a noise when turning right,
and going to check the front wheel bearings,
as Ive had to change most of mine at 80-100k,
becuaseof ourfine roads! Ideas?

partsandmore@alltel.net

Reply to this Message

Mike - 21 Dec 2006 21:10 GMT

> Just drove a customers 96 Dodge 4x4 Ram--- I flushed a very dirty coolant
> system out - three times!! Only 106k miles, and very well maintianed -
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> partsandmore@alltel.net

Check the u-joints in the front axles. When they get seized up with rust
they can cause hard steering. Also check the ball joints.

Reply to this Message

partsmore - 22 Dec 2006 15:12 GMT

I greased the upper ball joints- which he has neglected... looks like its
been awshile since they were greased-

greased the steering -

I will check the front axle ujoints also with it on the lift.

and the wheel bearings appear to have no movement in them - diagonally -

Goin for a test drive.

Reply to this Message

Stormin Mormon - 27 Dec 2006 01:24 GMT

I don't know if this applies, but one Dodge product I owned years
ago, I changed the fluid in the steering pump. Used a long turkey
baster kind of gadget to draw out the old fluid, and poured new
in. Seemed to help. I had to turn the wheels left and right a
couple times to get the air out.

Signature

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.

> I greased the upper ball joints- which he has neglected... looks like its
> been awshile since they were greased-
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Goin for a test drive.

Reply to this Message