1997 Dodge Ram 3500 Suspension Problems

I HAVE OWNED A 1995 DODGE 2500 AND A 1997 DODGE 3500. I HAVE SOME CONCERNS WITH A STEERING PROBLEM WITH THESE MODELS. IF A POTHOLE OR RAILROAD TRACKS ARE HIT AT A SPEED OF AT LEAST 55 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENED WITH MY 1995 I SPENT OVER $400.00 IN JUST PARTS REPLACING ALMOST ALL OF THE STEERING PARTS. NOW THIS IS HAPPENING WITH THE 1997. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC AND IN MY OPINION IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD END UP RESULTING IN DEATH IF NOT CORRECTED. I HAVE YET TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT YET ON THE 1997. WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT PARTS WEAR OUT ON TRUCKS IT SHOULD NOT PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE ONLY TIME THIS HAPPENS IS WHEN A BUMP OF SOME SORT STARTS THE PROCESS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10407114

Incident

Jun 3, 2011

Mileage

97,305 mi

WHILE DRIVING 40-70 MPH FRONT END OF VEHICLEWAS SHAKING. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

8016549

MECHANICS ALL SAID VEHICLE IS A DANGER TO DRIVE INJURY COULD RESULT, IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. IT HAS BEEN WORKED ON FOR THIS BUCKING PROBLEM ABOUT 15+ TIMES. NEW SHOCKS, CLUTCH ASSBLY, TIRES, STAB SHOCKS, DRIVE LINES, DRIVE LINES BALANCED, CARRIER BEARINGS, REAR END, ENTIRE REAR AXLE, SPRINGS, ETC., AND MANY OTHER STABS AT THE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN DONE. THE REAR WHEELS WILL STILL BUCK SO BAD THE WHEELS COME OFF THE PAVEMENT AT TIMES. CHRYSLER SAID THAT PERSONAL SAFETY WAS NOT A CONCERN, ONLY THE BOTTOM LINE DOLLAR IN THEM BUYING THIS VEHICLE BACK. AT LEAST 2 MECHANICS, A SERVICE MGR. AND THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS LADY AT MONTANA DODGE HAVE SAID THIS PICKUP IS UNSAFE FOR ME TO BE DRIVING. THE REAR END IS NOW GOING OUT, THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING NOW AND IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. CHRYSLER SAID THEY WOULD BUY IT BACK, PENALIZING ME DEARLY ON MILEAGE EVEN THOUGH THE TRUCK HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE IT WAS NEW. MONTANA DODGE HAS TOLD CHRYSLER THEY WILL NOT WORK ON IT ANYMORE, THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IS STILL GOOD FOR ANOTHER 25,000 MILES OR 2 MORE YEARS. THE "LAISON" PAID BY CHRYSLER IS WHO TOLD ME THAT SAFETY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PRICE CHRYSLER PAID ME, IT WAS JUST A BOTTOM LINE DOLLAR THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT. CHRYSLER TROUBLESHOOTER TECHS SENT A VIB MACHINE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM, IT SHOWED TO BE THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSFER CASE. A USED TRANSFER CASE WAS INSTALLED, IT STILL BUCKED. USED PARTS WERE TRADED OUT FOR THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY AND IT STILL BUCKED. THIS BUCKING IS SO VIOLENT, THAT STUFF OFF THE DASH WILL GO INTO THE BACK SEAT AREA IF I ALLOW IT TO STAY IN THIS BUCKING MODE. SOMEONE WOULD 100% WITHOUT DOUBT BE INJURED SERIOUSLY OR KILLED IF THIS VEHICLE WERE TO REMAIN ON THE HIGHWAY. CHRYSLER DOESN'T SEEM TO REALLY CARE AND SAID AS MUCH THROUGH THEIR LAISON. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING. I EITHER SELL IT BACK TO CHRYSLER AT A GREAT MONEY LOSS OR DRIVE A DANGEROUS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

759302

Incident

Feb 22, 1997

GOODYEAR TIRES FAILED PREMATURELY AT 20000 MILES ON THE SIDEWALL DUE TO TIRE VIBRATION FROM DEFECTIVE SUSPENSION. NLM

NHTSA ID

550209

CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF VEHICLE SHUDDERING VIOLENTLY AS THE CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL BECOME INOPERABLE, VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, DEALER ROTATED TIRES AND VEHICLE STILL SHAKES VIOLENTLY, DEALER REPLACED DAMPENING SHOCK, PITMAN ARM, TIE ROD, AND STEERING BOX. POSSIBLE STEERING OR SUSPENSION PROBLEM, DEALER COULDN'T REMEDY PROBLEM. *JADA

NHTSA ID

781961

Incident

Sep 1, 1997

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED.

NHTSA ID

534484

FRONT END OF VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY ALIGNED PROPERLY, CAUSING TIRES TO WEAR.

NHTSA ID

524329

Incident

Dec 23, 1996

FRONT TIRES WORN QUICKLY DUE TO TORSION BAR BEING WORN SEVERELY WITHIN THREE MONTHS FROM PURCHASE. OWNER ALSO IDENTIFIED THAT THE TRUCK PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND HAD THE TRUCK CHECKED BY 4X4 SPECIALIST. THIS SPECIALIST IS AWARE OF OTHERS WITH SIMILAR CONDITION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID

813864