I am a newbie here but I do have pretty good overall knowlegde of general auto concepts and practices. I belive that what I do know, I can help others in this forum over time (more so on he deisel side, but mine is NOT). BUT, i am having trouble with my own ride. AND I know that each vehicle has it's own quirks, so I deffer to you guys.
I have a :
1999 QC4x4 RAM 360 gasser. about 50K miles (yes, thats all)

I'm fighting a really bad ride.. seems to be in the front end. It will shake the heck out of you over 40 MPH on even a mildly rough pavedroad. I believe after checking the ball joints that I need to replace one as well as a tie rod.
Does this seem like I have tooo few miles to having to repair front suspension and steering peices? my truck also "sags" to the driver side when parked. any clue there?

Thanks...
Mike

 

have you lifted the front end

 

Sorry for the length in reply... been out of town.
No, I personally did not lift the front end but it was owned before me. It is possible that the previous owner did lift it, If he did, it couldn't have been very much.
How can I tell if it was perviously lifted? Is there a spacer in the springs or something that would differentiate it from being stock that I could look for?
(sorry, first RAM, I don't know what stock would look like)

thx


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No, that's a stock height front end. Sounds like you have the death wobble. Unusual to appear in a stock truck but if you replace the track bar first (biggest steering culprit) and have it checked for alignment, you might find the other parts are good. Of course, a loose ball joint could also cause it. 50k is a lot of miles if it was only driven in town. Frankly, I'd rather have a truck with 100k all highway than 50k city. Lots of steering and starting/stopping is hard on all parts.

 

quick way to check for ball joint is to jack up the front so the tire is off the ground and with the hands on the tire at the 12 and 6 position try to move or wiggle it , alot of play the joints are shot , hand on the 3 and 9 position and alot of play there your tie rod problem , You will have little movement but not alot , also make sure (if you got one) steering stablize shock is in good order ( looking at it) , but if all else is good then the track bar , but the track bar will cause the truck to wonder ..
also check your front shocks , see if they are loose try to move them , inspect your front springs not crack try to move them too , time to get in and get dirty..

 

Yep... the truck does wander around a bitas well. Great advise guys, thank you. I will get it up in the air tomorrow evening and see what I can see.
thx

 

definately the track bar I would say, since it wanders alot

 

Yeah makes scence, track bar bushing looks bad. But, I just noticed another problem. I was under the truck, looking when i found this:
The LF Lower ball joint nut is about 1/8" - 3/16"away from being tight against the spindle.
I grabbed a socket & breaker bar and could not budge the nut. Thought it may be cross threaded on there but it on there as much as the other side nut (whichIS tight against spindle). Could the ball joint haved moved down creating that gap? Does it sound like I need a new ball joint? If so, Is there a DIY for it?

Thanks you guys!!!

Mike

 

I'd say a new ball joint is in order. I believe there is a DIY on it.

 

I would definitely start by replacing the tie rod and ball joint since you said they are bad.They are obviously going to cause you a problem.

Once you eliminate the parts you know are bad,you can take it from there.