Need help... lots of questions.

Tolson93 · Mar 17, 2014

So my 2003 ram 1500 Hemi is around 153k miles now.. since better weather is not too far away, itll be a great time to get some things done..

I have a few questions about some things on my truck and I thank who ever replies and helps me out..

First, since its at 153k miles i think its time for some spark plugs.. Any recomended ones? im new to this so im not sure which to buy, seems theres a lot of different ones.. Also, when it says they have to be gapped.. how do you do that? or do you just screw them in and thats good?

I have noticed that when i hit bumps at higher speeds around 55mph+ my truck seems to like bounce some a few times after a bump. Especially when i have my snowmobile in the back, and have even felt a big clunk like it could be bottoming out or something? so my question is, does that sound like shock absorbers maybe?

I got my oil changed around 1500-1800 miles ago and my oil level was at the add mark, so i added a quart... something to worry about if im burning oil? or common? also i have had to fill up my power steering fluid twice now this winter.. any ideas there?

another thing i have noticed is my steering seems very sloppy.. i replaced my tie rod ends , and have not gotten it aligned.. but it just feels loose.. dont know what that could be.

Thats all i have for now and hoping someone can give me some insight. Sounds like if i attempt some fixing her up this summer ill be busy! thanks in advance.

mrfyram1500 · Mar 17, 2014

I've read on some forums it's a good idea to use the standard Champion copper plugs. Anything other than copper may cause some issues (can't remember what issues). There are 16 of them for the Hemi. I had the dealership replace mine at 36,000 miles when I bought the truck (the manual says every 30,000). The gap is the distance between the two electrodes at the threaded end of the plug. It must be checked before you put them in. You can pick up an inexpensive gap tool at any auto parts store.

mrfyram1500 · Mar 17, 2014

Forgot to add that the owners manual may have the specs for the correct gap. If not, search on the forum for it. I would think someone has it posted. Be careful not to cross-thread the plugs. Or over-tighten. Good Luck!

Tolson93 · Mar 17, 2014

Thank you ! I can't afford to have anything serious go wrong with this truck so I wanna learn and do some things myself since I'm on a tight budget! Thanks again

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mrfyram1500 · Mar 25, 2014

Anyone else chime in? Help a fellow member out!

mrfyram1500 · Mar 25, 2014

I'm not an expert on the power steering issue, but I would think you may have a leak if you have filled it a couple times. If you haven't already looked, I would check for drips of fluid on the driveway or street or wherever you normally park (maybe place a large piece of cardboard under your truck when you park it for the night).

Tolson93 · Mar 25, 2014

Yeah I'll have to really get down there and look. Now on top of these truck issues I crashed my sled and that needs some fixing .. Sent me two feet or more over the handlebars luckily I didn't get hurt... But hey on the bright side between that and my truck I'll be able to have a busy summer and learn a thing or two !

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earlzach · Mar 25, 2014

Tolson93 said:
Thank you ! I can't afford to have anything serious go wrong with this truck so I wanna learn and do some things myself since I'm on a tight budget! Thanks again

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I had an 03 did the plugs myself its a *****!!!!! the ones on teh driver side behind the master cylinder. I know i used a pug socket, and two short extentions and a magnet. You have no room to send a racthet and stuff all in together. I had to slip the socket in the hole then stack the extentions then put the ratchet on after it was out of the threads i had to unstack the racthet and extentions and use the magnet to pull the spark plug up out of the hole. Did this for two or three of the cyinders. Remember ther are 16 in all.

As far as teh power steering pump comon. The hose on the pump leaks on all from those years and in the winter even worse.

The oil use is also comon. I had 110,000 on the clock and I changed every 3500,00 miles and each change it was short a quart.

My truck would still be with me if the tranny didnt drop out of it.

Good luck with your ram. Check youtube to see if anyone else has posted tips to plug changing if not its a *****!!!!!

HemiLonestar · Mar 25, 2014

Tolson93 said:
So my 2003 ram 1500 Hemi is around 153k miles now.. since better weather is not too far away, itll be a great time to get some things done..

I have a few questions about some things on my truck and I thank who ever replies and helps me out..

First, since its at 153k miles i think its time for some spark plugs.. Any recomended ones? im new to this so im not sure which to buy, seems theres a lot of different ones.. Also, when it says they have to be gapped.. how do you do that? or do you just screw them in and thats good?

I have noticed that when i hit bumps at higher speeds around 55mph+ my truck seems to like bounce some a few times after a bump. Especially when i have my snowmobile in the back, and have even felt a big clunk like it could be bottoming out or something? so my question is, does that sound like shock absorbers maybe?

I got my oil changed around 1500-1800 miles ago and my oil level was at the add mark, so i added a quart... something to worry about if im burning oil? or common? also i have had to fill up my power steering fluid twice now this winter.. any ideas there?

another thing i have noticed is my steering seems very sloppy.. i replaced my tie rod ends , and have not gotten it aligned.. but it just feels loose.. dont know what that could be.

Thats all i have for now and hoping someone can give me some insight. Sounds like if i attempt some fixing her up this summer ill be busy! thanks in advance.

1. At 153k you are WELL overdue for plugs. Factory recommendation on the coppers is every 30k. I have used iridiums in mine; I only got them because they cost me as much as the 16 coppers and they lasted longer, but not forever. Alot of people have driveability issues and misfires using anything but coppers. This will be your choice.
2. The bouncing is most likely a combination of all around worn suspension components (springs, shocks, ball joints, bushings) at that mileage.
3. Burning oil - mine at 140k+ only burns oil if I flog it. It has done this since 30k. Keep an eye on it.
4. Power steering; sounds like your rack and/or pump are leaking. What fluid are you using? The rack has enough mileage (and there are horror stories of failures) that it might be time to replace it. The sloppy steering could because of the rack, worn suspension components or a combination of both.

Hope this helps. There is a thread on here some of us have contributed to, it has a slew of factory service and parts manuals in .pdf format. Highly recommend you download your year.

toofart · Mar 25, 2014

^^ HemiLonestar spilled the beans. You're good to go on that.

RPMRamFury · Mar 26, 2014

Just use the stock plugs. There are many how tos on here about how to do it. Your shocks are bad is probably why it bounces. Mine burns a little oil too, it comes with a high performance motor with higher miles. Not a big deal, just keep an eye on it. I really dont know how to help you about your sloppy steering without being there. Anyone you know who is mechanically skilled? See if theyll help for some beer.

Tolson93 · Mar 27, 2014

Well after getting gas yesterday it's only been in town and like 2-3miles but at 4.8mpg not good haha

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HemiLonestar · Mar 27, 2014

Mileage in these things is measured in "gallons per mile"...

Tolson93 · Mar 27, 2014

Hahaha funny, I like that. Sure seems like it... Especially with my lead foot. LOVE hearing the Hemi roar

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HemiLonestar · Mar 28, 2014

My intake roar is louder than my exhaust lol

Tolson93 · Mar 28, 2014

Same here haha I'm pretty sure it's the same way for me I hear the roar from under the hood haha.

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Tolson93 · Apr 3, 2014

So I've been reading a lot and it seems the oem plugs are good to go with for the Hemi?

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Wchnu · Apr 3, 2014

They seem to be what is recommended the most. I changed mine a few months ago.

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Tolson93 · Apr 3, 2014

Any difference is how the truck drives or performs after a plug change?

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JJP71584 · Apr 4, 2014

Response should be faster, I wouldn't be surprised if your "butt dyno" noticed a significant difference after a plug change...also on my 06 I got a pair of Bilstein shocks for the rear and that helped with the"highway hop"

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