Well, some of you may know that I've been having an issue finding whats been causing a shake at high speeds. Well, I finally gave up and brought it to the dealership to have them diagnose the problem. I have no intention of having them fix it, I just wanted them to find the problem.

Low and behold I need new sway bar end links, new sway bar bushings, new upper and lower ball joints on the passenger side, and apparently the passenger side u-joint is loose. I have all the u-joints put in the truck by the dealer I bought it from under warentee (Spell?). So I have no idea how they could be loose already, and if they are thats bull ****.

So now I have this huge list of repairs that are all hopefully getting fixed next week. Since I can get it all done at school, I just hope I can have my truck back in a week.

List of repairs:
Ball Joints
Sway Bar end links
Saw Bar bushings
U-Joints
Rotors
Pads
Water Pump
Exhaust Gaskets (Third times the charm!)
Catalytic Converter (Getting the direct fit Magnaflow)

So I'm kinda pissed right now, I just wanted to vent, but I know that once all this stuff is fixed, she will keep on going like nothing!

Anyway, anybody know a way of telling what size my sway bar is? I have a choice of 30mm, 32mm and 33/34mm. I need to find out to get the right bushings.

 

I don't know I just don't believe stealerships anymore....You know I've had so many dealerships tell me several times when i go in for diagnosis no matter what truck it is that I bring to them. my ball joints are bad and sway bar links are bad and a ton of other **** but if I take it to the local guy and he does the same diagnosis he will tell me oh well it only looks like this one joint is bad blah blah blah....so I really stopped going to the stealerships. I would get a second opinion before you fork over all this money...

 

Have you checked the ball joints? They are very easy to check. I don't know about the rest of the stuff.

 

Well, I kinda already knew about the sway bar bushings and links. I knew those were going, I was just putting it off.

I've had my truck at 3 different small shops and they havent been able to pin point it, and idk why.

I have a feeling it was something with the ball joints, but I was just checking the wrong side. I was concentrating on the dirver's side, but it's all on the passenger's side.

Idk, I'm just gonna have all this stuff replaced, and if that doesn't fix it, then idk what the hell I'm going to do.

 

lose the sway bar, these trucks ride fine with out them. As for the ball joints, my personal opinion is to change all of them at one time. It seems like you notice a smoother ride that way. Also if you have a U joint problem, I don't think that would cause the truck to shake, but I'm not sure

 

Yeah with ball joints I agree I'd probably do both on both sides at once. IMO I don't want to do one side then have the other go shortly after. I'd rather just do it all at once.

 

Yeah I am doing both sides.

Just ordered all the parts... I have the water pump, gaskets, + bolts already. Everything else totaled to over $400 minus the cat. Still better than $1200...

 

Well.. When it comes to stealerships.. Your right there expensive.. and sometimes full of it.. but thats why you talk to the mechanic one v one.. The mechanic is just getting a pay check.. and you know he lives and breathes dodges all day. Gotta know what he's talking about. Good luck on the Repairs.. wish i still had a school garage to do all my work in..

 

Sometimes you get lucky. My Hyundai Dealer is a good guy. Took the little guy in for a Timing Belt. Tryed myself but the crank bolt wasa tough nut to crack I was afraid of breaking it. They said 500 & put a water pump I had in for free. They have the Accent in a couple of times & only do what needs to be done & charged what they said. Of course it helps if you tell them what to do.

Had the exhast done by another dealer & they tried to tell me my tranny was bad. I got a manual in it. They lifted it ran it up to 40-50 mph and said look at the wheel shake. Right you jerk, the tire needs balanced. Had to give them a fight to get my car back.

Jeff