I have a 2006 Dodge cummins 4x4 with 56,000. This is the third time I have had in to the dealer for frontend problems. The first 2 times were for tie rod ends and a pitman arm. Now the upper and lower ball joints are bad, universal joints on both sides, Tie rod ends again and hub bearings. I am over warranty but diamler chrysler is willing to pay for the parts because of the continued problem, however I have found the dealer to be totally unwilling to help out with some of the cost and even to be accountable for the 2 times I have had it in to them already for front end work. My last dodge diesel was a 1996 and I got about a 120,000 on it before I had any frontend work done. The dealer tells me this normal at these miles because of the weight of diesel motor. I cannot believe this. This is an engineering flaw and a workmanship flaw. I work with guys that have the duramax and the powerstroke and none of them have had any these problems at this low of mileage.

 

just replaced my whole front end at 63,000 miles. (common problem with these trucks are bad ball joints) my ball joints were shot, along with my tie rods and an axle u-joint. i even installed the dyna-trac free spinning hubs- so no more hub assemblies to deal with!! forget dealing with the dealer-by all aftermarket stuff that has grease fittings and be done with it!

 

CERTAIN LKI ENTERPRISES, INC., BRAND NAME SUPERLIFT SUSPENSION, PITMAN ARMS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 2003-2007 DODGE RAM 2500 AND 3500 4X4 LIGHT TRUCKS. DUE TO INADEQUATE HEAT TREATMENT DURING PRODUCTION, THE AFFECTED PITMAN ARMS MAY DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE UPPER SPLINED ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING OUTPUT SHAFT. MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE PITMAN ARM AND THE OUTPUT SHAFT MAY DEFORM SPLINES, RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEAR AND FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE AFFECTED PITMAN ARM.

Consequences: PITMAN ARM WEAR OR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
I think this is a service bulletin

 

? who said anything about a superlift?

 

Just replaced my whole front end at 63k with all Moog parts (ball joints, u-joints, trac bar bushings, hub bearings). I agree with RJM, install aftermarket parts and be done with it. No more problems with the front end because now you will have greaseable parts. Stock front end parts suck, plain and simple. I can understand why you wouldn't go aftermarket for the mere fact that you have to pay for the parts, but it will save you the aggrevation in the future when your front end parts fail again. Good luck!

 

Patriot...I'm looking at having to have the same thing done to the front end in my truck where is the best place to get all of this aftermarket and do you have links to the parts you got?

thanks,

 

Did you ever grease your ball joints? Have you confirmed yourself the parts were bad?

 

I can see why you have problems. If the stocks parts worn out fast...then the NEW factory parts WILL wear out fast. Stop replacing crap with crap and everything will last longer.

 

No it is not normal, just because of the weight of the diesel. I would DEFINITELY stay away fom that dealer, they do not know what they are talking about.

However, the stock components are crap. The unit bearing is crap. It is all crap. Go aftermarket with the hubs/bearing kit from Dynatrack, and get a GOOD aftermarket track bar from just aout any of the dozens of companies that offer them.

Also, have you confirmed (as mentioned) that all of these part are bad? Who says and why? I find it odd that in 56K that you have had to replace teh front end 3 times. As bad as teh stock crap is, it is NOT that bad. Something else is going on, like a misdiagnosis from teh dealer, and just replacing everything for the $$$$$$

 

The shop who did the work got all the parts for my rebuild.