Hello,
I have a 2001 2500 Dodge with the Cummins. About 2-3 months ago I was hit pretty hard in the front passenger corner. They replaced the front axle, steering box, straightened the frame (a little they said) and a bunch of body work. The axle was used, so I do not know it's history and the steering box looks to be a rebuild. My wife informed me that she thought it now steers a little scary at HWY speeds and shakes a little too much when hitting a bump at high speeds.

I noticed this morning with the windows down I can hear a kind of "honing" sound when I make a R/H turn. It is not a real loud noise but noticeable. Any body have any input on this?

I am really thinking of taking it to the dealer tomorrow morning expecting the bearings or something to be going out in the front end.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks for any input.

 

I'd be willing to bet its the wheel bearings. Mine did the same thing, you could hear and feel something when you turn one direction, not loud, but still noticable.
How's the track bar?

 

Did the dealer replace the axle? I'd take it to whoever done the replacement.

 

I am also hoping it is the bearings. I do not know about the track bar. They didn't replace it and it was hit pretty hard.

I don't want to take it to the shop where it was fixed as they take way too long. can I back bill them after I diagonse that what they put in was a bad part?

I would think I can still get 10-20k ha haha. Still a good truck, just has a little problem I hope.

 

I really don't know about charging them back. I would think that if it is an independant shop, the would only warranty their work.

 

Well took it to the dealer today here in Reno and they found the front brakes had been installed incorrectly and there were missing and broken anti-vibration clips and bent up inner rotor shields on the assembly. This was what they determined to be making the noise. $700s worth. Now the body shop and State farm and the guy's insurance who hit me are in the mix. Sounds like no one (expecially me) wants to foot the bill. Reno Dodge states the problem is due to the brakes being put on incorrectly. That is what came with the used axle assembly that was installed when the repairs were made.

The work is suposedly warranteed, but I do not think one shop wants to pay another shop to fix there screw up. I say F them, if they cannot do the job correctly the first time why should I let them touch it again.

Time will tell, sucks I am without my truck again.

On a side note, I hear that lot's of Dodge owners (1997-1999) have expensive re-occuring front brake problems. I have not had this problem since I bought my truck in 2000. Hopefully they did not give me an axle out of one of the problematic vehicles. Strange, used axle gets installed and I get one of these expensive front brake problems. None of them will ever fess up to this.
Can anything be done right anymore in this world we have modernized?

 

I figure I should leave an update. Sorry long post read the last two paragraphs if interested and thanks.

After speaking with the mechanic a few times directly I found out my previous statement was incorrect. I think I may have gotten bad info from the service guy. (not his fault, I think those guys have a pretty busy day and he was pretty courtious as well).

The Dust shields were bent into the rotors that is what was causing the sound. He bent them back. Problem solved. Issue is that from what he showed me they had to be bent while the axle assembly sat in the wrecking yard without tires on it, while it waited to be put on my truck.

The brake anti-vibration clips were there, good! nothing was really missing. They did have broken parts on them from what he told me, but should not be dangerous to drive.

All in all replacing those rotor dust shields sounds like a lot of extra work just for the cosmetics of it??? One of them actually had a hole burned in it. Now they look to be bent away from the rotors. IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SO THEY THINK THE PROBLEM MUST BE NEW!

Sorry such a long post, but does anyone have a strong opinion of me not pursuing this farther. I really do not need to have the ends of my axles taken apart to replace these, do I? They are still there, just bent up some.

Thanks for any replies in advance.

 

I know that this may be a little far out there, but did they make sure that the gear ratios between your rear axle and the "used" new front axle match up??? That could make for some interesting problems in the future as well....


Gary

 

You really don't need dust shields. In all of my "wheelin" rigs, I take them off, they hold the mud in. You may notice some more brake dust, in more places, but i wouldn't pay any significant amount of money to get them replaced. I'd wait for something like the bearings to need to be done and then have shields put on then.

The dealer charged you $700 to bend the dust shields? Or is there more to the service charge than that (I hope so).

I too, would make sure the gear ratio's are the same, that would be quite a "fun" experience if you threw it into 4 wheel, and the ratios were different.

 

No the dealer did not charge $700 to replace the dust sheilds. They would have if I let them do it. Instead they just bent them away from the rotors and called it good. It would have cost $700 aprox ($600+) if I had it done. sounds like they need to pull the end of the axle assembly out on both sides to do this. I did pay $170 aprox. to have the inspection and the plates bent back out. I know this was caused from the used axle assy. sitting on the ground but I do not want to let the body shop's mechanic get there hands on it and open it up.

I would say do not take your vehicle to Paramount Auto Body in Reno. My opinion. They did offer to have my truck inspected at their recomended shop, but either way I do not want a non-dealer taking my axles apart.