Hi Guys,

Just came across this article on the CBC website regarding government investigation into late model Dodge Ram truck steering failures.

See this link:

http://www.cbc.ca/thenational/indept...geproblem.html

The symptoms are eerily familiar to all owners that have had to beef up or repair the front ends for steering.

At least the government is now taking a serious look at the problem.

I think this affects mostly 3rd generation trucks - but could also late 2nd generation.

Thought you guys might be interested.

Cheers

mariner

 

$30,000 IN REPAIRS! I would have gotten rid of the truck long ago. I know they said most under warranty but dang, when do you say enoughs enough

 

This gave me a good chuckle:

"Chrysler Canada declined a request by CBC News for an interview.
There are numerous complaints on the American safercar.gov website from consumers complaining about the so-called death wobble.There are numerous complaints on the American safercar.gov website from consumers complaining about the so-called death wobble. (CBC)

The company sent a statement, which reads: "The name [death wobble] given to this condition has no basis in fact."

Ignore it and it will go away right

 

The only trucks I ever heard of with a wobble have been lifted. I've been an advocate not to modify the steering or suspension with a lift kit for years. Leave the rake in the trucks. They are that way for a reason.

30,000 is a bit exagerated I'll bet

Subscribing. Good Info, thanks

 

my 07 megacab was lifted from day 1 (32 miles on it) with 37" tires (pro comp xtreme). never did i have death wobble. then I added another 3 inches and put 40" tires on it (super swamper irocs). still never a DW concern. went back down to a 37 (toyo MT) (all of which were E rated tires). I did the upgraded steering at 95kish miles and had a dual steering stab on. not even a shimmy.

working in the shop, we have seen many a truck with DW that are BONE STOCK. not even an aftermarket air filter and still have DW.

 

Keep in mind I was a member of the Dark Side (CF). seemed like everyone who did a lift got a wobble. Allot of it is all on who works on it too. Heck, I'm trying to figure out how to lower mine.

I don't have DW either. This is my 3rd, 3rd Gen. But this is my last truck so I did the steering upgrade. I also have a front receiver too, so flexing was at a minimum to begin with

I had a 77 motor home that used to do that. It was the balance of the tires. I wonder if maybe a rotor may be out of whack.

I still say don't do it though. . . But I'm old.

 

My local independent Dodge shop has seen several new stocks with DW. They sent them back to the dealer.

 

I have seen many new trucks lifted by the dealerships...and for an extremely high markup...

 

Must be a regional thing. My dealer has 2 stores. I sent him the link to the clip here, He said he's never had a truck with a wobble.

This is my third 3rd gen and and I've never see it other than someone elses modified truck. But OK, if there are more, they're not around here.

Now if you ask me about transmissions. . . . . . I'm on #4

 

No service manager has seen anything bad with their trucks they service. Every issue that comes into their shop is a operator error.
Every Dodge dealership across North America gets updates about issues with their product. Yet service managers at these places have never heard nor seen any of these problems.

On one hand maybe Dodge Headquarters does not think their is an issue with their trucks because Local dealers just tell the majority of customers it is out of warrenty and thus on their own dime.

Or they are all not telling the truth.

 

If you are contracted to service one brand of product and/or sell that same one brand of product are you going to bad mouth it? Are you going to take the chance of losing the contract if they find out you're bad mouthing it?

 

My truck experienced the DW numerous times with factory tires and while under warranty. The dealer was very good and admitted there was a problem as they had seen this many times. Had it in to them twice for this. Each time they replaced a bunch of parts, including all ball joints. Each time there was a temporary improvement.

Now have modified the front end extensively and even with the large tires, have not had a problem for years, but after the last alignment now have a bit, but only after hitting a bump at over 70 mph.

Anybody know why chunks of the front tire tread are coming out at the outside of the tires? There is no evidence of scuffing, cupping or any of the usual symptoms of a bad alignment.

 

Mine is totally stock and had bad death wobble at 26,000 miles.Cost me $810.00 to repair of which extended warranty covered $354.00 and after e-mailing Chrysler Corp they sent me a check for $ 350.00 even though I'm 5 months out of warranty. I think Chrysler is more aware of the problem than they let on because they offered me the payment without a whimper.

 

"...Mine is totally stock and had bad death wobble at 26,000 miles.Cost me $810.00 to repair of which extended warranty covered $354.00 and after e-mailing Chrysler Corp they sent me a check for $ 350.00 even though I'm 5 months out of warranty. I think Chrysler is more aware of the problem than they let on because they offered me the payment without a whimper.


After needed a new Tie Rod End, was told that the OEM was not available and I needed to update to an entirely new Steering Rack system. Cost 1k, and my aftermarket warranty only covered the Tie Rod component. Dealer knew this was an issue and has replaced many systems at owners costs.

I am glad someone is looking into this ... it should have been a recall!

 

They already had a recall on the 3rd Gens back in 08. The steering parts installed were twice as heavy