New to dodge! Couple questions.

[rambob]

You can park with your pass side tire touching the sidewalk aganist a curb and have some one turn the wheel and see where the loose parts are.

 

[Hollabakzach23]

You can park with your pass side tire touching the sidewalk aganist a curb and have some one turn the wheel and see where the loose parts are.

Okay and wherever there is the most play would be the "loose" parts are? Also would the truck need to be started or just in park sitting there??

 

[Bigtman07]

You can do it in park. But do have it running or you wont be able to turn the wheel. Love the color btw.

 

[Hollabakzach23]

Thank you the tip i figured it had to be running and i went ahead and tested them out a few days ago and went ahead and ordered new inner and outer tie rods because there was a ton of play in them. Thanks for the compliment i love the color as well!

I have also ordered a 2.5 inch level i will tackle while i am down there. I am going to to be replacing the shocks when i do the level as well but do i need shocks that will match up to 2.5 inches of lift? For example will i order a shock recommended for two to three inches of lift to make up for the level? I will also be ordering a steering stabilizer along with the shocks just to replace it all while im at it!

I swapped out my thermostat today for a new one and that fixed my issue with the gauge for the most part it doe not sit straight up and down but it is close! And my heat works a ton better so thats a plus!

My next issue is my oil pressure gauge. It seems to read pretty high but the truck still runs fine and every once in awhile it will drop down to normal and then rise slowly again after a few more miles. Its strange. Is there a sensor that feeds the pressure to the gauge on the cluster that would be worth changing??

 

[Hollabakzach23]

And yet another new one for ya guys so i changed the stat yesterday and all is well now my heat works and the gauge reads fine but it seems there im leaking coolant now from my drivers side at the bumper almost of the truck. Didnt start happening till after i changed the stat and its not leaking from the upper radiator hose so im almost thinking its coming from the drain plug there at the bottom of the radiator? Would this be a good guess or somewhere else?

 

[Mopar1973Man]

Sure sounds like you didn't get the plug all the way back in... Its a step plug if I'm not mistaken on your radiator.

Twist -> pull out -> Twist again...

or

Twist <- push in <- Twist again...

 

[Okiespaniel]

If the plug install doesn't help, then it's your seal between the plastic tank and aluminum core...a common problem.

 

[Hollabakzach23]

Sure sounds like you didn't get the plug all the way back in... Its a step plug if I'm not mistaken on your radiator.

Twist -> pull out -> Twist again...

or

Twist <- push in <- Twist again...

Ah okay! That would be a good start because ive tightened it, i thought, until i read your post!

 

[Hollabakzach23]

If the plug install doesn't help, then it's your seal between the plastic tank and aluminum core...a common problem.

Thats what i was also afraid of. Could be time for a new radiator then?

 

[Mopar1973Man]

Thats what i was also afraid of. Could be time for a new radiator then?

I would let a radiator shop look at it first before tossing money at a new radiator... Just my 2 cents...

 

[Okiespaniel]

My orginal radiator sprung a leak in the seal back in 2007. I had a shop (in Phx) who had the proper equipment to open the metal tabs on the core and replace the seal. Cost about 60 bucks. 3 year warranty.
Fast forward to this fall. Same problem...only in Tulsa, no one would attempt a repair, nor warranty thier work. So I ended up with a new radiator. Bought a 2 core off ebay for 119.00 free shipping. Cheaper than any Autoparts store. Got a warranty but not concerned.

 

[Hollabakzach23]

I went ahead an replaced the radiator yesterday just because it would hav been easier than trying to find a shop this weekend and mess with the hassle. Although now that ive replaced it there is coolant leaking from both hose outlets but it seems both hoses are tight and the clamps seem to be tight down. What would be causing this? The clamps for the hoses in the wrong spot? Its like a steady drip from both outlets where the hoses would go

 

[txbass06]

There should be a ridge at the very end of both outlets that the clamp should rest up against on the side closest to the radiator. If they're already there and tight, try pulling one off and checking to see if the outlets are cracked. When I worked in a parts store, that was the most common issue we had with them from being dropped during shipping

 

[Hollabakzach23]

Ah see i have the the clamps on the edges of the hoses almost. Youre a life saver ill look into that first thing in the morning!

 

[Okiespaniel]

Y'know I had that problem too. Had to tighten them clamps TIGHT *** tight!

 

[Hollabakzach23]

Y'know I had that problem too. Had to tighten them clamps TIGHT *** tight!

Thanks! I guess i just need to man up and put the clamps on there tighter lol

 

[txbass06]

If you're using the screw type clamps you tighten with a flathead screwdriver, you could always use a socket to tighten them up if you can't get it tight enough

 

[Okiespaniel]

If you're using the screw type clamps you tighten with a flathead screwdriver, you could always use a socket to tighten them up if you can't get it tight enough

I had to use a socket on mine to get them about binding/stripping tight .

Hey anyexcuse for new tools right?

 

[Hollabakzach23]

Haha thanks guys i just got a craftsman toolbox filled for christmas so i used both the flathead and a socket to ensure they were tight enough. And they are for sure now!

 

[Mopar1973Man]

Geez... Something is wrong then... On my 02 Dodge Cummins on my 96 Dodge 1500 I've still got the orignal spring clamps from the factory and new hoses but never had a leak. You shouldn't have to tighten down so hard to seal the hoses.