2nd Gen Ram Tech 1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.

Ongoing Front Suspension issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 1, 2016 | 10:29 PM
  #1  
Double Oh Dodge's Avatar
Double Oh Dodge
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Southern New York State
Default Ongoing Front Suspension issues

So I have had an issue for a while and Have grown tired of replacing tires up front every 6 months.
When We Got this highly neglected truck, the lower control arms were torn by 85-90% across the spring seating surface.
I replaced the lower control arms and was going to replace the springs, I got the correct coil spring compressor tool, which was then swapped for the wrong strut type one at the counter.
So After additionally having done all 4 ball joints, both tie rod ends, and front shocks, and seeking a "Professional" laser alignment there is two issues that still persists.

The first is outer tread scrubbing, like having excess toe in from a bad alignment job.
The second is while I love alloy rims over steel, the rim offset causes ANY tire over a 225 to get caught up in the Lower shock stud in full steer hard cornering (entering driveway parking & places at stores).

I suspect that maybe replacing all the anti sway bushings, shocks, and springs with something from a heavier service rating may solve both issues either in part or completely.

Would blown rear Shocks be a contributing factor to this by allowing greater than normal values to occur in Body roll?
Would using springs and shocks for a larger or heavier truck be better or advisable?

I mean this truck rides soft and seems heavy-like a Cadillac as is, I have known most trucks ride a little more rough like a Hay wagon,rather stiff and well like a truck.

My "theory of resolve" that I have not acted on for the second issue is just getting a set of 1/2-1 inch spacer plates to separate the colliding surfaces with a larger gap.

I have contemplated just getting an aftermarket set Rims of some kind,
Of course the price tag for a set of 4 rims+1 for a spare and adding freight/shipping costs is just not a pretty thing compared to a billet aluminum spacer set more likely to do what I want.
 

Last edited by Double Oh Dodge; Mar 2, 2016 at 12:14 AM. Reason: question of afterthought
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2016 | 12:52 AM
  #2  
Erik P's Avatar
Erik P
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Default

first off, i would double check the alignment. I have see bad alignment jobs. If all your front end components are new, it just leaves the alignment.
As for the rubbing on your LCA, I'm not completely sure. but anymore backspacing than stock is only going to contribute to rub at wheel lock. probably nothing to do except swapping narrower tires, find a rim with less backspacing, or wheel spacers (don't recommend).
 
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2016 | 11:56 PM
  #3  
Double Oh Dodge's Avatar
Double Oh Dodge
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Southern New York State
Default

Originally Posted by Erik P
first off, i would double check the alignment. I have see bad alignment jobs. If all your front end components are new, it just leaves the alignment.
As for the rubbing on your LCA, I'm not completely sure. but anymore backspacing than stock is only going to contribute to rub at wheel lock. probably nothing to do except swapping narrower tires, find a rim with less backspacing, or wheel spacers (don't recommend).
The tires get scored by the LCA shock bolt, in a track approx 3/4-1 inch away from the rim lip.

The only resolve for the tire scoring I can see working reasonably well without an astronomical price tag, is a 1/4-1/2 inch set of spacers.
I am not keen on paying out the wazoo to jump to 17" rims and run the lower profile, and I am not comfortable with or confident that a 220/75/16 wont get scored as well

To Explain in more technical terms for a better judgement or idea of what to do,
the rims are the OEM 3 SPOKE Silver with Machined face Wheel used on 1998-2001 RAM 1500's the important Specs include....
16 x 7 rim
5-139.7 (5 x 5.5)BP
+19.05mm offset


The door tag indicates the truck should be equipped with 225/75/16 or [alternate but uncommon OEM] 225/70/17
I guess a botched alignment should be No surprise, considering I have been repeatedly unimpressed with the shop that did the alignment.

Since I have never had this much issue with the menial task of Mount and Balance at Wal-mart,
INCLUDING WEIGHT MOUNTED INSIDE LIP per request ( just looks less junky).....I will have to have them realign it I guess.
I would probably be doing better to replace all front bushings at the least beforehand though.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:58 PM.