I have a 01 Ram 4x4 and I'm having this weird mist coming from my vents in my dash once I turn the heat on or off and it's only for a couple of second. It smells like antifreeze but I'm curious if it could be something other than a heater core? Just because it looks like a pain to change it. If anyone has any ideas please advise me.

Second question when I take off or brake a little hard the truck feels like it's jerking in the front end. There are new U joints on both sides just wondering what that may be it's almost like the truck is still in motion when coming to a stop or taking off. Thanks!

 

For the 2nd ? I'd have to see and feel it myself, to give any kind of educated guess. But, as far as the first ? goes. Yes, the heater core is shot.

Just a thought,but for the 2nd ?, you might want to check out the trac-bar. Does it wander while driving?

 

For the 2nd question:

when you hit the brakes, does it feel like it's jerking it to a stop, kind of like it's braking then releasing very quickly? If so I would say your rotors are warped. You may also need brakes and caliper pins.

 

hows the ball joints? they tend to go on these trucks

 

Thanks for your input guys, how hard is the heater core to change out? I don't have to take out the entire dash do I? The rotors and brakes are brand new. It does wander a little bit while driving but I'm not sure how to check teh ball joints they are original but there are only 97K on the truck. Do they cause the truck to feel loose when they are bad?

 

removing the dash makes it easier. its not hard, just really involved. if you have a battery powered bit driver or a drill then it will make removing the 1 million+ screws much easier.

some people have taken the dash loose and lifted up a little bit it to change the heater core.
some people unbolt the steering column and lay it on the seat then loosen up the dash and rock it back to change the heater core.
I removed the entire dash and steering column.

 

to check ball joints, jack up front of truck, and with a hand on top of tire, and one on bottom rotate it back and forth. if theres play they are shot

or stick a prybar between the u-joint area, and push down. this is the best way to tell IMO

 

one way ive seen peopel check ball joints is you jack the truck up, and put a pry bar under the trie, and pry up and down, andd watch for movement of the ball joints if their is any sloppy movement they need to be replaced. but ive seen in some cases where you can buy some time or even fix the problem, by greasing the ball joints. though you may need a syrenge and needle to get grease inside the boot if their the stock non greaseable type

 

Well I've done the tests and I don't think my ball joints are bad. I moved the track bar and that thing is shot it clanks all over the place in the joints also there is a bar that the track bar connects to. What is that because the joints that are on that bar that go to each side of the truck are bad also. Just wondering about replacing that and while I'm at it the shock looking thing that's horizontal. Thanks you guys, your a big help.

 

I had the same problem with my heater core. I put it off and put it off. Well antifreeze got into the electronic motor that adjusts the hot air/cold air door. So now that the heater core is fixed i only have hot air unless I pinch the heater hoses. I said all that to say this; change your heater core asap to avoid other problems that can be avoided.