Has anyone had this issue and if so, what did you do to correct it. I have a 98 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie SLT 4-door extended cab w/5.9 L V-8. My truck is having some strange suspension issues. When I drive down a rough or bumpy road, my front suspension feels like it bangs and jars with almost every bump. When I drive down a dip or something more gradual, my front suspension feels mushy and will sometimes move up and down 2-3 times before it smooths out. I replaced the front shocks a couple of years ago and replaced the ball-joints a month ago. I did notice that replacing the ball joints stopped some other noises and issues, but the others I mentioned remain. Something I did notice when replacing the upper ball joints was that my upper control arm was very stiff and could hardly be moved up and down. This might be normal, but others I've seen move up and down freely. I would appreciate any input on this issue I'm having.

 

What brand shocks did you get? Sounds like they died.....

 

Sounds like bad shocks to me.

 

They were an off brand I purchased off the internet. Thought I was getting a good deal on them. Perhaps I didn't.

 

If you're feeling your truck banging & jarring when you hit large bumps or dips in the road you most likely are hitting the bump stops. As already said it sounds like your off brand shocks are shot. If your truck oscillates 2-3 times after hitting a small bump before it is smooth again then your shocks are 100% for sure bad. Go out and stand on the front bumper and bounce on it a few time to get the truck moving up and down. Then as the truck is moving up jump off and see how many times it goes up and down. It should only go up and down once. Any more and your shocks aren't working.

 

My shocks are bad then. It will bounce up and down 2-3 times with possibly a faint 4th.

 

When I got my 2000 dodge ram, the previous owner had done little to nothing to take care of the truck. The first time I drove it - it was like a roller coaster ride, it was all over the road and real bouncy because everything was worn out. I have sense had new shocks, all new tie rods, steering stabilizer, new sway bar end links, and new brakes installed.
It was like a new truck the first time I took it for a drive after the work was done. I still need to have the steering gear box replaced, and it will be done. Then the engine work starts.

 

I suspect that my power steering gear box is bad also. My truck has over 200,000 miles on it and the steering has quiet a bit of slack in it. The other drivers probably think I'm drunk when I'm driving.

 

My truck has 168,000 miles on it, and it has a lot of play in the steering box. The stock steering boxes used on our trucks aren't known to be the best quality even when new. I have a Borgeson steering box and steering shaft that I need to have installed, its an upgrade from the stock steering box.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions and input. I'm going to check my shocks this week.