Easy_C

So I went to the eye doctor this morning. Finished up my appointment. I happen to decide not to take the highway home. As I'm driving down the road my truck starts drifting a little bit to the right. I go to turn the wheel and nothing happens. The wheel is totally free... no resistance!! :O So my truck starts going off the road and I slam on the brakes. Luckily there happened to be a driveway right where the truck decided to pull off. I stopped 2 feet short of going into a ditch... .and if I had been 5 feet further back I would've been in one. I get out and check the front end....



The tie rod that connects the drag link to the pitman arm just came apart!! I was so lucky that the wheels didn't just turn to full lock and roll the truck... or that I didn't crash into on-coming traffic... or the ditch. Not to mention that I didn't take the highway!

The truck has 65,000 miles on it. I do drive on a logging road once a week... but man... I've owned a lot of trucks that have seen a lot more abuse on and off road and never had a failure like that!! Scary!!!

nelrod

Makes me even more proud to own a Dodge. Pathetic.

Lost Lake

HOLY POOPY IN YOUR PANTS!!!!!

That is scary! Good thing a wife or something wasn't driving, and good thing it didn't come off on a high speed corner on a bridge!!!!

Wheels should not turn right or left if caster is set okay. But just not steering is kinda freaky!

I'm going to wiggle mine every oil change from now on.

Colo_River_Ram

Have you been following this thread? it has info on 03 and above Rams:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...8-t230988.html

Easy_C

Thanks I had forgot about that thread.

I think the thuren kit at the end of the thread will be my next upgrade!

AaronT

Inform someone in the hype media, they can pull a Toyota on Chrysler and we all get new ball joints, etc.

madhat

Man, you are lucky, and I'm glad you're ok!

Colo_River_Ram

Did you run your vin # to see if you were on the list?

A call to your service manager might get you all new components free of charge ..

93-331-29psi

that link was on 08-09 trucks, but there was a recall on older models for defective steering components. Check your dealer

CamperAndy

Did you ever notice any change in feel or was it working fine one second and gone the next?

03qclb5spd

I know that feeling all too well! I had a 95 chevy z71 for several years before I got into diesels. One day I was driving to a work christmas party when upon slowing to a stoplight the whole truck shuttered and the steering wheel wobbled pretty good. I had been having problems with getting someone to properly balance my tires, so I just chalked it up to another balance issue. I made a turn and went another 2 or 3 miles, made another turn and got about 100 yards when the truck and steering wheel wobbled more violently. As I hit the brakes I could hear a tire skidding. I had two passengers with me, and out of concern I promptly pulled off the road. When I got out I could see the tie rod laying across the lower control arm. The bolt that connects the left tie rod end to the center link had broken off, allowing the tie rod end to come out of the hole. I know that the left tire had to be fishtailing itself to death both times when the truck and wheel wobbled. Luckily since the truck had a center link and two tie rods on each side I still had one tire to maintain some level of control, otherwise it might have been ugly. It sure makes you pay closer attention to the steering issues.

And by the way, I'm sure those Ford/GM guys will love to use this thread to make fun of Dodges, but as I am proof above, it can happen to any truck. A friend of mine's f250 had a similar issue several years ago. Ain't no one immune!

Colo_River_Ram

Yes the header says 08-09 trucks, but it covers 03-09 models,

Here is the link to plug in your vin to see if you are on the recall list:

http://www.dodge.com/en/owners/

Easy_C

My truck is listed on there as incomplete. I'll be stopping by dodge this weekend. Thanks for the link!

Easy_C

And no I never noticed any change... it seemed to be fine and then... nothing.

Colo_River_Ram

No problemo.. glad your OK to tell the story, tie rod ends falling apart is quite common on these trucks. the DTR thread link I listed has a post midway that had the same thing happen to him. I know of several myself some with less than 30K on them..

I have all new parts on my truck courtesy of this recall, I hope it works out for you as well..