Dodge front end issue.

Ah, the dreaded "death wobble."

Are you guys talking 4x4 front ends? I have a 2003 2 wheel drive dually with the newer designed steering rack and she is tight. No road wander, pleasure to drive. Maybe down the road I will have to do some maintenance but for now she passes yearly inspection no issues.

lincolnmatthews wrote:
MY 99 3500 4X4 dually @117000 still original parts. Added the stabilizer for the gear box though. Drives like******though compared to the Fords & Chevs I've had in the past. Maybe the aftermrkt. gearbox someday.
Only possible explanation for driving a Dodge is for the Cummins Engine! Sure can't be the truck! All though I still like the 94-01 body style though, one great looking truck.
My everyday driver is a very nice 87 Jeep Wrangler (pre-Chryslerized) one great Jeep. The fact that there owned by Chrysler (Fiat) is the main reason I won't update to a new Wrangler. Nothing but problems, leaks, oil consumption issues, etc, etc.
I personally would never buy a new Chrysler ever again, for all of the above issues.

If you fix the upper tie end of your track bar and put a borgeson Delphi 680 box on it , it will steer like a later model truck , not a wheelbarrow . Cost is about 640.00 total , look at genos garage .com

KKELLER14K wrote:
Hello everyone!!!, It has been a long minute. I am posting this as a safety issue and I hope the forum will see it this way also. I have an early model Dodge dually, (2002), with a Cummings diesel. This is the issue: the front suspension wears out quickly. Mainly the ball joints, track bar, the drag links, and the two tie rods, which are specific. Take note that if you own one have it checked. The factory used parts have nylon plastic bushings (JUNK). PM me if you want to know what parts to use...this is not an easy fix but if you see the wear, you will do it tomorrow.

Go to Source Automotive in Clackamas, Oregon.

All they work on are the Dodge Cummins.

They have customers that come as far as Texas.

They have my 02 Dodge front end so tight, (zerk fittings everywhere), some with aftermarket engineering, but, the best part is they do great work and know all the best brands/ products.

OEM ball joints and tie rods are Chinese made, were gone at 60k miles.

They say lots of aftermarket parts are made inferior also so you need to know which ones.

Many of your better aftermarket parts cos. are surviving because they sell only the best. Keeps them alive and money flowing toward good America know how. It cost more but that's how you build a truck the right way.

06Fargo wrote:
I had to replace outer axle u-joints at 160,000 miles - installed greaseable ball joints from XRF while the wheels were off. The parts seller says they are getting good reviews from oilfield users - which of course is no wheres near as rugged duty as rv work :)

Next maintenance will be a Borgeson intermediate steering shaft. The Dodge is developing the slight cluk cluk in the steering column you can feel in the pedals, like my Buick developed at 80,000 miles, and like my 86 Land Cruiser developed at 312,000 miles...oh wait it doesn't have any injected plastic u-joints... :)

Glad you mentioned the Borgeson intermediate steering shaft. I too have been noticing that slight cluk cluk in the steering column and also slight feel in brake pedal. Told my wife this the other day after I had the tires rotated and balanced and a alignment. I printed out an ad for a borgeson intermediate steering last year and thought about having one installed. I don't know anymore if I should keep throwing money into the front end or just upgrade to a newer truck? Truck is paid off with 108,800 miles.

I had to replace outer axle u-joints at 160,000 miles - installed greaseable ball joints from XRF while the wheels were off. The parts seller says they are getting good reviews from oilfield users - which of course is no wheres near as rugged duty as rv work :)

Next maintenance will be a Borgeson intermediate steering shaft. The Dodge is developing the slight cluk cluk in the steering column you can feel in the pedals, like my Buick developed at 80,000 miles, and like my 86 Land Cruiser developed at 312,000 miles...oh wait it doesn't have any injected plastic u-joints... :)

OK I spelled Cummins wrong but now you all get the point. Moog parts are best to replace with but getting those ball joints pressed out is a pain in the a$$. I also have a parts company that is the best I have seen. They are out of Sparks Nevada...you do the home work. If you have seen a cut away of the stock parts vs. the Moog design you will know and go with Moog everything. You would be lucky that if your truck has over 75k that there is not something worn out under there. Mine mostly has freeway miles from just travel and when they showed me the wear on the rack,I was shocked. I rebuilt the entire front with ball joints, drag links and tie rod ends for under 500$. Getting the bearings out of the steering knuckle is also a pain so be prepared for a big job. Just trying to warn you all what to expect...happy trails.KK

msiminoff wrote:
Yes, it is true that the stock 3rd Gen Dodge front end components leave a lot to be desired…
Fortunately this is one area where the aftermarket has stepped up and and delivered excellent solutions. They're all expensive but they work!

Both Carli and Dynatrac offer bullet-proof (greaseable & rebuildable) ball joints
Don Thuren makes an awesome track bar.
Solid Steel has their DSS Steering Stabilizer.
Spyntec and Dynatrac make free-spin hub kits that replace the unit bearings with serviceable Timken bearings.
Mopar's 2008 steering upgrade is beefy and makes a huge difference in safety & steering performance.

Cheers
-Mark

Great info. Thanks Mark. If I do Keep this truck I will replace the track bar and Ball Joints.

billyray50 wrote:
On my 2006 Dodge 2500 CTD 4x4 had to replace the drivers side front hub assembly, upper and lower ball joints with only 53,000 miles. Then had to replace the passage side front hub assembly at 78,000 miles. At 87,319 miles had to replace the passage side upper and lower ball joints, outer and inner tie rod ends and sleeve adjustment. No grease points either? Still had to install a steering box stabilizer and steering dampener due too excessive dangerous wander due to upgrading to the 285 series Nitto tires. Upgrading to 19.5 visions soon and a little concerned about front end reaction but will see. Dodge front ends especially 3rd generations are well known and documented for weak underbuilt systems. Some owners here has had good results from replacing track bar and or steering shaft,(Borgesen maybe),steering intermediate shaft where it attaches to the steering box. Also check the end sway links. My trucks power steering pump has had a small leak for 2 years now. A neighbor down the street has a small leaking power steering pump too and his is a 2007. I just use Stop leak for last 2 years and has helped but will have too replace it soon. Just procrastinate due to the pump without labor is 450.00 bucks!! I love the 5.9 Cummins though and surprisingly my trucks brake pads have only needed to be replaced once in the front and never needed to replace the rear pads yet and still are 50 percent with 108,800 miles!!

***UPDATE** 2 hours after posting this I received another recall notice Dodge regarding ** Left Outer Tie Rod assembly ** Had another recall notice 2 years ago regarding steering linkage but my truck did not have recalled assembly and gave me the ok. I am going to let my shop that did the front end work 20,000 miles ago just to look at it before I go to the Stealership!!

Yes, it is true that the stock 3rd Gen Dodge front end components leave a lot to be desired…
Fortunately this is one area where the aftermarket has stepped up and and delivered excellent solutions. They're all expensive but they work!

Both Carli and Dynatrac offer bullet-proof (greaseable & rebuildable) ball joints
Don Thuren makes an awesome track bar.
Solid Steel has their DSS Steering Stabilizer.
Spyntec and Dynatrac make free-spin hub kits that replace the unit bearings with serviceable Timken bearings.
Mopar's 2008 steering upgrade is beefy and makes a huge difference in safety & steering performance.

Cheers
-Mark