3rd Gen Dakota 2005 - 2011 Dodge Dakota Tech - The ultimate forum for technical help on the 3rd Gen Dakota.

Mass Thread to complain about Bad Struts

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #31  
Old 05-17-2011, 11:59 AM
jkeaton's Avatar
jkeaton
jkeaton is offline
DF Admin
Dodge Forum Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Posts: 27,832
Received 349 Likes on 310 Posts
Default

Sounds like another Monday truck...
 
  #32  
Old 05-17-2011, 12:09 PM
dakota_raven's Avatar
dakota_raven
dakota_raven is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Mine has 44000 and i have never been off road, never jumped any curves, well i baby my truck and it drives on the highway like a Cadillac. I did no buy a Caddy , i bought a truck.

Now i have to change the sway bar links for the second time. It started rattling and banging and when i checked the front end guess what? the sway bar links are shot again! My wife's Grand Caravan has over 115,000 miles on her and i just changed the struts, shocks and swaybar links 3 months ago. The van is 11 years old.

I can't wait to get the Rancho Struts on !!!
 
  #33  
Old 05-17-2011, 04:45 PM
rengnath's Avatar
rengnath
rengnath is offline
Champion
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Greenfield, Wisconsin
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Just take that bar off; it just limits the capability of our IFS trucks
 
  #34  
Old 05-17-2011, 09:46 PM
gjmoran's Avatar
gjmoran
gjmoran is offline
Captain
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Long Beach, California
Posts: 615
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

how do i check if i need new struts? i too have the problem where i feel like im going to bounce/swerve in the next lane when i hit somewhat rough road on the freeway. i had the front sway bar end links replaced and it seemed to help soemwhat but ive noticed it become more prominent again these past few weeks..
 
  #35  
Old 05-18-2011, 08:34 AM
Backwoods18's Avatar
Backwoods18
Backwoods18 is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Upstate/Central NY
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by gjmoran
how do i check if i need new struts? i too have the problem where i feel like im going to bounce/swerve in the next lane when i hit somewhat rough road on the freeway. i had the front sway bar end links replaced and it seemed to help soemwhat but ive noticed it become more prominent again these past few weeks..
Check your rear sway bar end links. Mine are shot and "clunk" when I hit a bump. If I hit bump while turning it feels like the rear end is jumping towards the outside of the corner. Just grab your endlinks and check for up and down play or side to side.
 
  #36  
Old 05-18-2011, 11:19 AM
dakota_raven's Avatar
dakota_raven
dakota_raven is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by rengnath
Just take that bar off; it just limits the capability of our IFS trucks
Did you took the sway bar off? If so, how is the handling, the same or better?
 
  #37  
Old 05-18-2011, 11:33 AM
Backwoods18's Avatar
Backwoods18
Backwoods18 is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Upstate/Central NY
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by dakota_raven
Did you took the sway bar off? If so, how is the handling, the same or better?
I took mine off. Now every bump/pothole doesn't break your neck. There is a little more body roll on the highway but it isn't bad at all. IMO the handling is a little better.
 
  #38  
Old 05-18-2011, 11:35 AM
Brand's Avatar
Brand
Brand is offline
Professional
Join Date: May 2011
Location: New Milford, CT
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Removing the anti-sway bar will help keep your tires on the ground over uneven terrain. But it will also increase body roll during on-road cornering.

Your choice.
 
  #39  
Old 05-18-2011, 01:29 PM
rengnath's Avatar
rengnath
rengnath is offline
Champion
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Greenfield, Wisconsin
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I personally like having it on, and also having it off. The front end feels much stiffer with the sway bar on. With it off, you get the articulation of both wheels, and it makes the front end feel softer. I have it on right now, but I ran without it for a couple months. If I take the truck camping or if I plan on going off roading, I will take the bar off. It takes 10 minutes.
 
  #40  
Old 05-18-2011, 02:03 PM
Brand's Avatar
Brand
Brand is offline
Professional
Join Date: May 2011
Location: New Milford, CT
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

You only need to disconnect the end link on one side for the anti-sway bar to be effectively "gone".

Jeep guys are all over aftermarket "quick disconnect" end links. I haven't looked into it, but I bet one of those could be adapted (or you could easily fabricate something like it).
 


Quick Reply: Mass Thread to complain about Bad Struts



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:10 AM.