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1999 Dodge Ram vibrating

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Old Jan 14, 2013 | 07:43 PM
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Default 1999 Dodge Ram vibrating

Hi, I own a 1999 Dodge Ram 5.9L ext cab, 114kmiles and during my 1hour and 30minute drive --------
1.) I would hear a weird winding/metal rubbing sound from the rear when I would completly let off the gas. If I gave it even a little throttle it would stop the noise and be fine.

1.B) Went through a car was about 4 hours later and It began to Vibrate so violently I through it was going to shake the body clean off. couldnt even see how fast I was going because the shakeing caused the speedometer to look blurry, but when I let off the gas it stoped at 40mph almost exact.

2.) On my way home from earlier (before the car wash) I noticed the steering was so random it was hard to figure it out, turning the wheel to the left was fine, but to the right felt like i would keep going straight under i turn it about 30-45degrees untill i get tension or resistance if you will. Basically from the wheel being perfectly straight if i turn it to the right I recieve no resistance and response untill i turn it more, kind of feels like im going to lose control.

3.) during my car was i recieved a nice bath of my own coming from the right door, and rear sliding pane window. It appears the previous owner neglected to tell me this and i suspect the water issue has been in effect for a while due to the speakers being blown when i purchased it.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2013 | 08:15 PM
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1. Check your U-joints in the rear drive shaft. Is the truck 4x4? If so, check the snap ring on the rear output shaft of the t-case as well. (gotta drop the shaft, and pull the tailshaft housing.)

1.B Death wobble, or severe engine miss. (I am betting DW, given #2...)

2. Grab a helper, stick helper in drivers seat, turn key just far enough to unlock steering, do NOT start engine.....

Have helper GENTLY rock steering wheel back and forth. And I mean GENTLY, just one finger will do. See what moves, and what doesn't...... You can figger out where the slop in your steering is from there.

Then, have helper CRANK the steering back and forth, while you watch the ends of the track bar. NEITHER end should have ANY slop. If either end moves, replace it.

Taking all the slop out of your steering (particularly the track bar) will more than likely get rid of DW for ya as well.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2013 | 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Viperbite102
It appears the previous owner neglected to tell me this and i suspect the water issue has been in effect for a while due to the speakers being blown when i purchased it.
it's funny what previous owners "forget" to tell you on selling day....mine conveniently "didnt know" the fuel gauge read 1/4 tank too high. Thanks to that, we ran out of gas in the middle of some backwoods stretch of highway in the middle of PA. I later found a repair list thrown under the driver's seat that specifically listed the fuel gauge on it.

+1 on the death wobble, its probably also a good idea to replace the steering stabilizer along with the track bar...
 
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Old Jan 15, 2013 | 02:29 AM
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Originally Posted by HeyYou
1. Check your U-joints in the rear drive shaft. Is the truck 4x4? If so, check the snap ring on the rear output shaft of the t-case as well. (gotta drop the shaft, and pull the tailshaft housing.)

1.B Death wobble, or severe engine miss. (I am betting DW, given #2...)

2. Grab a helper, stick helper in drivers seat, turn key just far enough to unlock steering, do NOT start engine.....

Have helper GENTLY rock steering wheel back and forth. And I mean GENTLY, just one finger will do. See what moves, and what doesn't...... You can figger out where the slop in your steering is from there.

Then, have helper CRANK the steering back and forth, while you watch the ends of the track bar. NEITHER end should have ANY slop. If either end moves, replace it.

Taking all the slop out of your steering (particularly the track bar) will more than likely get rid of DW for ya as well.
Thank you very much, I will try this in the morning, i took it out for a late night ride and while makeing a left turn i lost ALL power steering and almost went through a street sign.
After trying to get into the street i was turning too and straighing out i got the power steering back and it was a lot more responsive(even normally).
As for the Death SHake it went away after a little driving (of corse while im trying to show the people i was with what was happening. lol) and as far as this Air Siren noise it makes when i take my foot off the accelerator a couple buddys of mine say it sounds like there is a dent or something in the drive shaft. Also they said it could be a bad U Joint.

While driving and giving it some gas the check engine light randomly came on the turned off. Then when the truck was off and I was listening to some music (key was turned so electronics and steering was free) the check engine light came on and after 3 seconds turned off.

In the morning im going to use some Fuel injector cleaner and replace the spark plugs anyway, but as for the steering, how much is a steering stabalizer and track bar going to cost, as far as price and time goes?
 
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Old Jan 15, 2013 | 07:59 AM
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As far as pricing goes, your going to want to get the moog track bar, which is one of the best brands out there. This is going to run you 120-140 bucks I believe. The steering stabilizer is less, probably 40...install of both of these is not hard, if I remember correctly, as long as you have a floor jack and some basic tools. It can be done in an afternoon, easy. Look at the factory service manual for a better description
 
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