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1994+ Dodge Ram
Commonly Seen Body Problems
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- Rattle under dashboard
- Foam insulator between the rear of the driver's front fender and the
door hinges was loose and flapping rapidly in the wind
- Sounded as if it was in the dash, but turned out to be the AT dipstick
(DS) was rattling in the dipstick tube.
- Look at the black covering between the winshield and hood (where the
wipers are), the plastic push plugs in that plastic piece can loosen and
allow the plastic to rattle.
- Squeak in instrument panel or dashboard
- Spray lithium grease on the steering shaft where the shaft has the u-joints
on the upper and lower ends. Very common.
- TSB 23-02-96,
TSB 23-08-99
- Pivot bushing in the shift mechanism on the driver's side of transmission
telegraphs up the linkage and into the dashboard.
- Door Rattle - TSB
23-22-99 covers repair of cracks in door at lower window channel bolts
- Front End Clunk -
- hood latch and hood bump stops need adjustment
- Loose lower shock bolts -very common
- Exhaust rattle - usually a loose heat shield
- sometimes an exhaust pipe clamp was not tightened
- Catalytic converter failure - honeycomb rattling inside cat.
- Whistle from the front of the vehicle -
- Flapping or fluttering sound form engine area - Flat flexible air
dam below and behind bumper (between bumper and frame) loose or distorted
Weatherstrip Problems, Air and Water Leaks
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- Underhood weatherstripping falls down onto engine or turbocharger area
- Use RTV to glue the weatherstrip into place. Photo
- Wet Floor Under Carpet - you won't know you have this until you look
under the carpet because the rubber carpet backing keeps the water trapped
in the padding.
- A small leak might escape this simple detection, but to test for thoroughly
soaked padding :
- 1) remove the jack under the passenger seat
- 2) pull up the carpet flap that is under the jack
- 3) reach as far under the carpet as possible to feel for water
- leaks have been found at these points:
- TSB 23-27-97
- around the rear window gasket
- TSB 23-68-97
- at the side cowl panels in early 98 models
- at the CHM brake light - very common!
- at body joint behind front fender
- from the windshield gasket behind dashboard
- at the door bottom
- at the back of the cab where cracks developed or spot welded seams
separated TSB
23-52-95 (see note below)
- around unsealed door hinge bolts
- from a plugged AC condensate drain hose
- cracked heater core
- Peeling Paint - this has begun to appear on some Rams. A "secret"
extended warranty will cover peeling paint, but you have to be adamant
about having Chrysler provide the repair.
- Chrysler Peeling
Paint Page - tips for resolving paint problems
- 97, 98 Painted Surfaces Appear Milky or fogged -
- Windshield Cracks - stress cracks usually starting from the bottom
- just be aware that they occur more frequently than they should.
- Mirror vibration - mirror shakes while driving
- without bug deflector - TSB
23-39-97 install Reinforcement Bracket
- with bug deflector - TSB
08-09-98 replace with Mopar bugscreen part # 82202559
Seats, Dashboard, Interior
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- Seat Back latch doesn't seem to work, seat back can flop forward with
out releasing latch -
- 95, 96 CC Seat latch uses an inertia lock that only catches when truck
is slowing down.
Cab Cracks in 1994
Rams
From: Mike Frazier <mfraz@coffey.com>
Newsgroups: rec.autos.makers.chrysler
Subject: RAM TRUCKS--BAD NEWS-HELP!
Date: Mon, 19 Feb 1996 19:07:47 -0700
1994 RAM 2500 HD [and maybe newer models] is not only a lemon but read the
following, IMPORTANT! There are at least eight vehicles in this small town doing
this, so don't think I am full of ca-ca.
Between the cab and bed of your truck there will be two small tabs [about 1
1/2", one on either side] flush with the back of the cab. WATCH OUT! If
these are not flush, your cab is beginning the process or separating, and, no, I am not
kidding. Next, look under the rear of the cab and find where the seam is welded
together. Look for any separation all the way along this seam, and, no, I am not
kidding. Next look at the front cab seams and check those for the same defects.
Mike
Subject: Re: [RAM] Water under the carpet
Date: Tue, 12 Aug 1997 12:53:10 -0400 (EDT)
From: goosram@ix.netcom.com
To: RTML
94' model trucks have a TSB on them for cracks in the body the floor pan up the back
side of the cab. Get under your truck and look at the back of the cab where it meets the
floor pan just at the top of the angle where the rocker panel meets the floor pan you may
see splits in the steel on either side. I have the TSB # at home if you need it, it is
listed as a creak, road noise problem so they won't find it looking for water leak TSB'S
Last Update - February 14, 2000
