[phoenix3200]

I've been having a horrid of a November with my truck. It's a 2003 Ram 2500 QCLB 4x4.

First, the center support bearing went - only 11 months after the 1st one went.

Then the (non-diesel) shop I had it repaired at under warranty got my vehicle in an accident and didn't tell me.

Then my steering gearbox blew as I pulled back into their parking lot to get their insurance information.

Then another (non-diesel) shop took 11 days to "fix" my steering...which amounted to essentially a complete changeover of all my existing components (gearbox, pump, hydroboost, and lines) with reman parts.

I'm now left with a truck that:
-emits hissing noises when turning, with decently loose steering.
-the brake pedal doesn't fully return (I had this issue before but based on the forums here it would seem that replacing many lines would have fixed this). I had to put a bungie cord back on to prevent my battery from dying.
-vibrations between 35 and 48 mph.
-much more drag than before.
-a dent.

I'm trying to get to the bottom of this and figure out what is (still) up with my truck. I have a few ideas, but I'd love to get additional feedback. Especially at how I can identify what the cause is.

-Vibrations/Drag. These occur regardless of if I'm in gear or not. My suspicions are either bad tires, a driveshaft, or some brake system component (caliper?) is not releasing.
-Hissing while turning. Is this a problem? Perhaps I *still* have a bad gearbox? I had a diesel shop that heard about my issues and raged up and down about how I simply needed to demand a brand new, non-reman gearbox that Napa does carry and my issues would disappear.
-Brake pedal. Could this also be a bad brake caliper or could the cylinder behind the pedal be bad?

Thoughts? How would you test these different avenues? Put the truck on blocks and get an assistant, find someone with a dyno, tell a mechanic to do something specific? I got this truck about two years ago with over 200k miles and I hope to take it another 200k miles, but this is just taking the piss out of me.

 

[BRBurns]

For brakes, jack up each wheel (one at a time is fine). Press and release brakes then try to turn the tire. It should turn without much effort and be even all the way around. Make sure you are in neutral.

If 4x4 remove the front drive shaft and see if vibration goes away.

 

[rghavana]

It's a 2003 Ram 2500 QCLB 4x4.



I'm now left with a truck that:
-emits hissing noises when turning, with decently loose steering.
-the brake pedal doesn't fully return (I had this issue before but based on the forums here it would seem that replacing many lines would have fixed this). I had to put a bungie cord back on to prevent my battery from dying.
-vibrations between 35 and 48 mph.
-much more drag than before.
-a dent.

Your wasting your money trying to repair a worn out driveshaft, with 200k+ non servicable components, shaft is worn out, best/easiest to replace with 1 piece aluminum shaft, could have a properly equipped driveshaft shop rebuild/balance old shaft, which would quickly approach price of decent 1 piece aluminum shaft, that will last longer. Driveshaft Specialist Inc or https://www.dennysdriveshaft.com/c3_aluminum_6061_t6_driveshafts.html


Go to local forum section here,https://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/chapter-forums/, find shop with experience, good recommendations that fix these trucks, can actually diagnose issues.
Ask for time frame/price estimate/parts being used/ in writing to fix truck.

If steering box "blew" could of sent metal/debris thru whole system, an issue with ps pump, needs to diagnosed first.
Need proper pressure tester, Power Steering Analyzer Tool kit 6815 and Adapter Kit 6893.
Need to check flow and pressure, make sure "reman pump" is functioning properly, most aftermarket pumps are POS.
PUMP SPECIFICATION
RELIEF PRESSURE
± 65
12400 kPa (1800 ± 50 psi)
FLOW RATE
(GPM) AT 1500 RPM
3.5 - 4.0

other possible causes
improper installation
hydro boost assist malfunction
Leaky/collapsed damaged/hoses
sticky caliper

A shop/mechanic that knows what they are doing should not need help from the customer.
For your general knowledge this forum and FSM has procedures, proper maintanance and required equipment to fix diagnose truck, take some time and read/learn Newbies guide in https://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/3rd-gen-powertrain/1909713-newbies-guide-your-new-you-truck.html for info.

Get insurance to fix dent, ask for/get rental vehicle from old shop insurance while your dent is being fixed.

 

[phoenix3200]

Just did the brake test. The truck didn't come with a jack so I finally got my act together to get one. 3/4 of the wheels (especially the front two) are rather hard to turn.

As for the one piece driveshaft, if it wasn't under warranty from that mechanic I would have already done that . That's interesting that rebalancing is just as expensive as the aluminum shaft.

And yea, the whine I hear is probably the reman pump.

I've read quite a number of "newbies" guides here and yes, I'm aware from the manual of that pressure tester. When the shop says it's not worth owning one, I kind of groaned. I'm about to set up an appointment with a different, diesel, shop in the area.

 

[BRBurns]

They won’t turn super easy, but should be able to give it a good shove and get most of a full rotation.

 

[rghavana]

Just did the brake test. The truck didn't come with a jack so I finally got my act together to get one. 3/4 of the wheels (especially the front two) are rather hard to turn.

As for the one piece driveshaft, if it wasn't under warranty from that mechanic I would have already done that . That's interesting that rebalancing is just as expensive as the aluminum shaft.

And yea, the whine I hear is probably the reman pump.

I've read quite a number of "newbies" guides here and yes, I'm aware from the manual of that pressure tester. When the shop says it's not worth owning one, I kind of groaned. I'm about to set up an appointment with a different, diesel, shop in the area.

If a shop is doing alot real hydroboost brake/steering repairs for trucks, chevy, ford, and dodge all used same system in this time frame, they will have proper tool or have made one, just hydraulic pressure gauge with flow meter bypass valve. fittings to fit appropriate pumps. Can buy basic tool for homeowner use for $150 J-25323 Power Steering Analyzer
Like you mention find new shop, Parts changers shops/mechanics will just keep throwing parts at issue on your dime and should be avoided, try search local chapter forum for good local shop in your area, if you can not do repair yourself, here https://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/chapter-forums/

 

[phoenix3200]

The darndest thing happened this morning. Most of my vibration and my drag is gone!

I've been scouring the forums here ad nauseum while waiting for my appointment, and I discovered someone talking about their brakes dragging due to pressure buildup in their power steering reservoir.

Well, this morning I started my engine and reseated both the power steering and hydroboost reservoir caps. My ride was MUCH smoother and I didn't see the same drag as before. My current working theory is that the wheels aren't quite balanced and the brake contact amplified the vibration. And that one of my two caps needs a good clean, and potentially the drill mod to make sure they can relieve pressure!