2000 DODGE RAM 2500 Suspension Problems

They Did Not INCLUDE THE 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 Yet I have had the same experience several times.When travelling at highway speeds and hitting a bump or pot-hole in the road, the front end begins to shake violently and does not stop until the driver jams on the brakes and brings the truck back down to below highway speeds. Some people contribute this phenomenon to the worst possible downside of having a coil-sprung front suspension on a truck with a track bar. Unlike a typical suspension set up, Dodge Ram trucks will continue to shake long after hitting the bump to the point that controlling the vehicle is nearly impossible until the driver slows down. The current lawsuit alleges that Chrysler learned about the death wobble defect with Dodge Ram trucks in the mid-2000s but waited four years before conducting a series of recalls from 2009 through 2013. Chrysler classified the recalls as Safety Recalls, H36, H46, K28, L16, N62, N49, and N63. The recalls addressed various parts of 2009-2012 Dodge Ram trucks’ steering linkage system, including its tie rod assemblies. The complaint alleges that the recalls excluded many affected vehicles and that Chrysler provided replacement parts that were also defective, forcing Chrysler to make additional recalls to remedy prior recalls. Consumers have reported that Chrysler does not have enough replacement parts to repair all the vehicles for which it has submitted recall notices and that drivers have been put on long waiting lists for repairs. Chrysler’s steering linkage defect and redesign. Allegedly, the ball stud is defective in the Chrysler Suspension design. The driver’s side tie-rod ball stud that Chrysler used is too weak to and is known to fracture under normal driving conditions. The tie rod is a “crucial link” in the vehicle’s steering system. A loose tie rod can cause any vehicle to have an excess shimmy or the dreaded death wobble. The tie rod can affect front-end alignment. This happen several times in the last 15 years

VAN FRAME IS RUSTING OUT, STEERING BOX THAT IS MOUNTED TO FRAME IS LIKELY TO FALL OFF SOON. TIE ROD TO FRAME CONNECTION ALSO IS RUSTING OUT. TO MY KNOWLEDGE AND AFTER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THERE IS NO REASONABLE FIX.

Mileage: 116,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 2500. DURING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRACKET THAT HELD THE CONTROL ARM TO THE FRONT AXLE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

Mileage: 119,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 DODGE RAM 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. WHENEVER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE COMPONENTS FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. IN ADDITION, THE SPRINGS WITHIN THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT WERE PIERCING THROUGH THE SEAT CUSHIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,800.

Mileage: 103,500

DUE TO FAULTY BALL JOINTS, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED UNUSUAL TIRE AND BRAKE WEAR. *PH *JB *TC

Mileage: 86,389

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS BECAME DEFECTIVE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. ALSO, SPINDLES WERE TOO SMALL, AND MASTER CYLINDER AND BOTH SEALS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Mileage: 50,520

BALL JOINTS SQUEAKED LOUDLY DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE LOWER BALL JOINTS DID NOT HAVE ANY GREASE FITTINGS. *JB

Mileage: 71,550

THE LEFT TIRE WAS LOSE DUE TO WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY AND BALL JOINTS FAILURE. *PH *JB

Mileage: 119,889

WHILE DRIVING ON ANY KIND OF ROAD SURFACE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TOWARDS THE RIGHT, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. *AK

2000 DODGE RAM 2500 4X4- PROBLEM = SUSPENSION. VEHICLE WILL EXPERIENCE VIOLENT FRONT END SHAKE AND LOSS OF CONTROL AFTER CONTACT WITH MINOR ROAD IMPERFECTIONS AND BUMPS. VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT ANY SPEED. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH VIA THE INTERNET I HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT A VERY LARGE PERCENTAGE OF DODGE OWNERS IS EXPERIENCING VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I AM SINCERELY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND OTHERS.*AK

Mileage: 96,000

VEHICLE'S FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS KEEPS GOING OUT. THIS CAUSES LOST OF STEERING AND BRAKES.

Mileage: 105,000

FRONT END/STEERING PROBLEMS. WHENEVER I HIT A LARGE BUMP IN THE ROAD, MY 2000 DODGE RAM 2500 JUST ABOUT WANDERS OFF OF THE ROAD. IT SEEMS AS A LARGE VIBRATION OF SOME SORT IS TAKES OVER THE STEERING. *NLM

CONSUMER NOTICE WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH OR BUMPS VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE OUT OF CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

MY 2000 MODEL DODGE 2500 3/4 TON PICKUP LOST IT'S REAR AXEL UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT HAS CAMPER PACKAGE WHICH INCLUDED A SPECIAL HELPER SPRING ON THE REAR SUSPENSION. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE U-BOLTS HOLDING MY REAR END ON HAD BROKE FREE OF THE SPRING ASSEMBLY. CAUSING MY TRUCK TO ROLL SIDE OVER SIDE AND THE COME TO A REST ON IT'S PASSENGER SIDE. THE REAR AXLE WAS FOUND 100 YARDS AWAY FROM THE TRUCK. THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN NOTED ON THE 2001 SERIES TRUCKS OF THE SAME BODY STYLE AND MAKE. I WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY KNOWN AS IL RJ 6 1 MILE NORTH OF I-74. THE TRUCK BEGAN TO GET LOOSE. I NOTICED THE BACK OF MY TRUCK START TO COME AROUND AND THEN WHEN I TRIED TO COUNTER STEER I LOST CONTROL AND ROLL SIDE OVER SIDE ONTO THE MEDIAN. THE REAR AXLE SEEMED AS IF IT HAD SHIFTED BACK ON ONE SIDE CAUSING IT TO SWING THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AROUND. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ALSO NOTED THIS TO BE VERY POSSIBLE DUE TO THE ACCIDENT SCENE. MY INSURANCE COMPNAY NOTED THAT THEY BELIEVE THE U-BOLTS FAILED AND ARE CURRENTLY SENDING THE TRUCK TO CHICAGO, IL FOR AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS STATE FARM INSURANCE. I WAS NOT BADLY INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT, BUT DOCTORS AND POLICE TOLD ME I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE WALKED AWAY. MR

SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS VAN, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SWAYS CONSTANTLY AND THE STEERING MECHANISM IS UNABLE TO COUNTERACT THIS. IT LITERALLY IS ALL OVER THE ROAD WITH THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF WIND. WE HAVE A STABILIZER BAR INSTALLED IN THE FRONT. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AND MUST BE KEPT IN THE OUTER MOST LANE SO IT WILL NOT SWAY INTO THE GUARD RAIL OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS LOOKED IT OVER AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY DEFECTS. NONETHELESS, WE PURCHASED IT TO TRANSPORT OUR YOUTH GROUP AND OTHER GROUPS IN THE CHURCH TO AND FROM EVENTS. MEMBERS ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE HESITANT TO USE IT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING POWER STEERING LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STOP IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RIGHT FRONT CENTER BEARINGS EXPLODED, THROWING THE VEHICLE UP AND DOWN. *YD

WHEN DRIVING, VEHICLE WILL TEND TO TRY TO MOVE OVER TO THE SIDE WITHOUT CONSUMER TURNING VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE GETS POOR GAS MILEAGE. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. BRAKES GRAB, PULL, AND LOCK UP. CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH AND HITTING A BUMP, IT WILL THROW THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE. *JB

THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE DANA AXLES IN WHICH CROSS CASTER ADJUSTMENTS CANNOT BE MADE. I HAVE FOUND THAT ALL ALIGNMENT SHOPS TRY TO ADJUST THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ECCENTRICS IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, THEREBY TWISTING THE AXLE TO FORCE THE CROSS CASTER ANGLE. FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND OUT (SEE HTTP://DODGERAM.ORG/TECH/SPECS/00_STEER_SPECS.HTML) THIS FORCEING OF THE LOWER ECCENTRICS IS NOT THE WAY TO ACHIEVE CROSS CASTER ADJUSTMENTS. THE LOWER ECCENTRICS ARE FOR CASTER ONLY AFTER THE CROSS CASTER IS SET. I RECENTLY FOUND RECALL #861ON THESE AXLES. MINE MISSED IT BY 6 DAYS. I COULD NOT HELP BUT WONDER IF A RUSH TO CORRECT THE SITUATION AND STILL MEET DEMAND MAY HAVE LED TO SOME BEING BUILT OUT OF SPECS. NEVER THE LESS, THIS TWISTING AND FORCEING CANNOT BE GOOD ON THE VERY AREA THAT THE RECALL WAS ABOUT, THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET. MY PRIVATE ALIGNMENT SHOP COULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WILL GET IT BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE THIRD TIME. I HAVE DISCUSSED IT WITH THEM AND I AM ORDERING AN AFTERMARKET PART TO REPLACE THE UPPER BALL JOINT THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO ADJUST THE CROSS CASTER. THIS WILL NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. OUT OF MY POCKET, A GAMBLE WITH THE WARRANTY, BUT I HAVE TO HAVE A VEHICLE I CAN HOLD ON THE ROAD. NOTE: THEY ARE ALSO ORDERING A NEW STEERING BOX. I AM NOT SURE IF IT WAS REALLY BAD, OR AFTER DAYS OF TRYING TO FORCE AN ALIGNMENT THEY FIGURED TRY THIS. WHEN READING ABOUT THE STEERING BOX, KEEP IN MIND THAT THE PREVIOUS SHOP COULD NOT ALIGN THE VEHICLE CROSS CASTER. THIS COULD NOT BE RESOLVED. I REALLY WANT TO STRESS THE TWISTING THAT IS BEING DONE TO POTENTIALLY ALL THESE AXLES. PLEASE CHECK THE WEB SITE I SITED.

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE MAKING LOUD BUMPING NOISE, AND GRABBING FROM REAR WHEELS WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN DEALER'S SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS HIGH ALUMINUM ACCORDING TO SAMPLE ANALYSIS, THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED PRIOR TO THIS. REAR AXLE ALSO HAS A HIGH LEVEL OF IRON AND CHROME IN FLUID ACCORDING TO THE SAMPLE ANALYSIS. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING TRUCK PULLS BADLY TO RIGHT. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER IT WOULD STRAIGHTEN UP. CONSUMER STATES THERE SUPPOSE TO BE A RECALL ON VEHICLE.*AK THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY FELL OFF DUE TO WELD FAILURE. THE VEHICLES SURGES FORWARD RANDOMLY. THERE WAS SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE THE CAB WHEN WINDOWS ARE UP. THE STEERING BOX HAD FAILED AND REPLACED. TIE RODS AND MOTOR COMPARTMENT SEAL FAILED. THE CUSTOMER HAD RETURNED THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. *YH

DRIVER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH EXCESS PLAY IN THE STEERING, POSSIBLY DUE TO FRONT WHEELS MISALIGNMENT. YH

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SEVERELY PULLS TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER REPLACED THE GEAR BOX WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WANDERS FROM RIGHT SIDE TO THE LEFT SIDE WHICH MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER STILL NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REPAIR DONE BY THE DEALER. *AK *ML