Dealer found my rattle?

[02blkram47]

Well I decided to take my truck to the local dodge dealer for some search and diagnostic work this morning. I told them I could hear a rattle under the truck in the back and wasn't sure what it was but I thought it might be my rear shocks or the bushings on the shocks. The called me at 4:00 and said " we found out what is causing your rattle" he then tells me that my axle has moved and is no longer straight. The U bolts have warped or something over time and the axle is out of alignment which as in turn caused the leaf spring to come off center and the shocks have completely warn out the bushings. So long story short they say the can fix this for $350 not including shocks. I asked them if I could supply the shocks and have them install and he said yes. So I'm guessing another $150 for two rear rancho 9000 shocks or maybe bilstein's plus another half hour of labor so i'm looking at $550 to have this fixed.

 

[bigbadram1500]

Glad they found it. Sucks about the $$ but good to know it'll get fixed.

 

[S2kiHemi]

At least they found the problem.

 

[smiley]

Rancho are not good quality do the Bilsteins you will not regret it. No I don't work for them just a fan.

 

[02blkram47]

I thought that the cheaper white bodied shocks from them were bad but the 9000lx ajustable ones were good quality? Also are the Bilstein HD 46mm good ones to go with? I can't go with the 5100 series since I'm at stock height.

 

[quietpeen]

wow that sounds bad....glad they found it

 

[02blkram47]

I think it could have been much worse if I didn't get it checked. So I'm glad I took it in. Now I'm just trying to find a good deal on some Bilstein shocks. I'm curious if the HD shocks are as good as the 4600 series or if they would be too stiff. Anyone have experience with them?

 

[smiley]

I have the HD's and they ride very nice. Understand that almost all shocks in trucks and SUVs actually almost all vehicles are heavy duty shocks it is brand that changes things mostly.

Eshocks.com has a nice explanation on shocks and about them being HD.


$miley

 

[02blkram47]

Well I've spent the last hour or so doing an online chat with AutoAnything trying to figure out which way to go with the shocks. Here are my choices. Keep in mind that time is a factor as I don't want to be riding around with my axle out of alignment too long.

option 1: Buy 2 rear Bilstein HD shocks from AutoAnything for $135.90 but they won't ship until maybe 1/31/12 I could pay $59.00 for 3 day shipping but they still might not ship until the 31st-- seems like a long time and with the shipping fee that's $196.00

Option 2: Buy a rear set of Rancho 9000xl shocks from AutoAnything for $179.91 and they would ship on 1/24 out of Indiana so maybe 3 days ground to get to me.

Option 3: Pick up Bilstein locally at Autozone for $190.00 for a rear pair.

Option 4: Buy a rear set of Bilstein at shockwarehouse.com for $ $137.90 and get 2nd day delivery for only $39.50 extra so I get the shocks to me by Wednesday 1/25/12 for a total of 177.40

Any thoughts on these options.

 

[smiley]

Check tire rack they had my bilsteins for a great price. Also check eshocks.com

$miley

 

[02blkram47]

Thanks for suggesting tire rack. I just ordered my rear Holsteins from them for only $142.00 shipped and they will be here by Wednesday. Great deal from a company I trust.

 

[Hdrider18]

Why not buy Bilstein shocks from Summit for $75-$83 clams each??? That's what I put on my '08 and have no problem with them. Summit also ships pretty quick!!

 

[02blkram47]

Well That would have been a good deal but I guess I did better since I got 2 for only $66 each and only $10.00 shipping.

 

[glass3222]

Rancho RS9000XLs are verry good shocks. Their 5000s are cheap ****** white body shocks (all white body shocks are made by the same people, just with different companies stickers).

I had 9000XLs on my 05 and loved the adjustability for towing/hauling, daily driving etc.

Bilsteins HD are great shocks as well. I never had them on my ram but I love them on my durango.

 

[smiley]

Good to hear the rack is very fast.


$miley

 

[02blkram47]

Bilstein's arrived today, getting installed tomorrow at the dealer while they are fixing my rear axle and leaf springs.

 

[02blkram47]

So i picked up my truck tonight with the new Bilstein's on the rear and I have to say that they do ride much better than the broken down P.O.S's that were on there. that said I'll have to get some on the front to really feel the difference. While I was there I found out that my front Tie-rods are loose and should be replaced soon. They quoted me $245 for left front Tie Rod and then $247 for Right Front Lower ball joint. These prices include alignment. How do those prices sound? is this something a beginner could do and save some money?

 

[smiley]

Do front shocks and other items at same time so you can align once.

$miley

 

[02blkram47]

Is it difficult to do the ball joints and tie rod? I would consider myself somewhat mechanical and not affraid to attempt things. On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate this repair!

 

[rex450se]

Is it difficult to do the ball joints and tie rod? I would consider myself somewhat mechanical and not affraid to attempt things. On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate this repair!

I have not done it yet but need to get it done on my 02 also. And from what I'm reading, I think I'm going to take it to my mechanic. One guy said it took him 6 hours for one side. I stopped reading after that. It's worth the money to me to have someone else be responsible for it.

Victor