96 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4

External Since: Mar 28, 2005 Posts: 20

Just drove a customers 96 Dodge 4x4 Ram--- I flushed a very dirty coolant
system out - three times!! Only 106k miles, and very well maintianed -
except the antifreeze!
Replaced all of thecoolant hoses also and flushed heater core. Thermostat
also.

BUT -it steers very hard.
He just replaced the steering stabilizer, and the shocks, and everything
looks good, drives straight -
but compared to the 5-6 of these Ive owned -
it acts long manual steering!!
Ideas?

He also has a noise when turning right,
and going to check the front wheel bearings,
as Ive had to change most of mine at 80-100k,
becuaseof ourfine roads! Ideas?

partsandmore.TakeThisOut@alltel.net

External Since: Mar 08, 2006 Posts: 286

"partsmore" <partsandmore RemoveThis @alltel.net> wrote in message
news:86f74d8fe238101863f6598b35b7be6b@localhost.talkaboutautos.com...
> Just drove a customers 96 Dodge 4x4 Ram--- I flushed a very dirty coolant
> system out - three times!! Only 106k miles, and very well maintianed -
> except the antifreeze!
> Replaced all of thecoolant hoses also and flushed heater core. Thermostat
> also.
>
> BUT -it steers very hard.
> He just replaced the steering stabilizer, and the shocks, and everything
> looks good, drives straight -
> but compared to the 5-6 of these Ive owned -
> it acts long manual steering!!
> Ideas?
>
> He also has a noise when turning right,
> and going to check the front wheel bearings,
> as Ive had to change most of mine at 80-100k,
> becuaseof ourfine roads! Ideas?
>
> partsandmore RemoveThis @alltel.net
>

Check the u-joints in the front axles. When they get seized up with rust
they can cause hard steering. Also check the ball joints.