Blew a shock in my RAM

[jondrew55]

Took a nice long ride over the weekend to check out a potential new Airstream. Just me and my 8 month old Ram 2500 diesel. On the way back I thought the ride was very bouncy. Almost to the point of being a bit scary. I attributed it to I-95 just being crappy in many spots. The next morning after I got home I noticed a small spot under the driver’s side rear tire. I touched it and sure enough it was oil. Got on the ground and could see the bottom of the shock was wet with oil. Somehow I’d lost an almost brand new shock. I don’t really haul much other than my trailer and I don’t go off-roading.

Called my son who is a service advisor at a RAM dealership and he said no problem. He’d get it fixed under warranty. About a half hour later he texts me and says the shock o]is out of stock and it could be 2-4 weeks or even longer to get one. He said they are going nuts trying to keep up with parts shortages. Fortunately, my local Oreilly auto parts had a couple. I bought two since I wanted to have the same shocks on each side.

It’s kind of scary to think you have a brand new truck and can get stuck on a trip for the lack of something as mundane as a shock.

[civeng99]

Within the last two weeks I had a dead battery on a new vehicle with under 1400 miles on the odometer. Not weak. DEAD. Click click click. One of the super reliable brands we need not mention specifically. Temps near zero so nothing extreme. Less than half the cranking amps needed to start the vehicle

Anything mechanical is subject yo failure whenever it feels like failing.

[ExploreUT]

Have a 2020 Ram 2500 and just replaced all four shocks with Bilstein 4600 series (stock OEM replacement) and what a difference. Much smoother ride. You may want to consider this upgrade.

Purchased online from Geno’s Garage and had local shop install. Although it appeared to be a relatively easy install if I did it myself. Just wasn’t interested in doing that with the cold weather here in Utah.

[jondrew55]

Originally Posted by ExploreUT

Have a 2020 Ram 2500 and just replaced all four shocks with Bilstein 4600 series (stock OEM replacement) and what a difference. Much smoother ride. You may want to consider this upgrade.

Purchased online from Geno’s Garage and had local shop install. Although it appeared to be a relatively easy install if I did it myself. Just wasn’t interested in doing that with the cold weather here in Utah.

No one has the Bilsteins right now. At least not before I need the truck again. I'm in Florida and we're in the "just right" temperature days. I'm just doing the rears for now. I may order the Bilsteins for a future install.

[27ftToaster]

Originally Posted by jondrew55

It’s kind of scary to think you have a brand new truck and can get stuck on a trip for the lack of something as mundane as a shock.

I feel your pain! My 2020 Ram 2500 diesel power steering failed in Texas, required a replacement electronic controller. Had to drive back to NC without power steering and wait a month for the part.

Both batteries have been replaced now under warranty, as well as the diesel particulate sensor. That's just in 15 months of ownership!

My other cars never have had to go to the dealer except for routine service! We need to just consider it part of the experience. In reality, we are blessed to even have these problems!

[greenflag]

I had a top of the line brand name battery go kaput on me five months after purchase. Anything made by humans will break at any time

[Anders79]

i have a 2013 2500 with only 45K miles on it, and mine has been no problem, except the ride for the last two years is rougher than when first purchased. Based on the posts above - just bought myself some of the Bilstein to see if that improves the ride. Thanks for the advice.

[lkm4321]

[QUOTE=jondrew55;2579027]No one has the Bilsteins right now. At least not before I need the truck again. I'm in Florida and we're in the "just right" temperature days. I'm just doing the rears for now. I may order the Bilsteins for a future install.[/QUOTE

I ordered a full set of Bilsteins in July from Shock Warehouse, Got them 2 weeks ago !! They were worth the wait.

[jondrew55]

[QUOTE=lkm4321;2579107]

Originally Posted by jondrew55

No one has the Bilsteins right now. At least not before I need the truck again. I'm in Florida and we're in the "just right" temperature days. I'm just doing the rears for now. I may order the Bilsteins for a future install.[/QUOTE

I ordered a full set of Bilsteins in July from Shock Warehouse, Got them 2 weeks ago !! They were worth the wait.

Whoa! I can't wait that long lol. I thought I saw a set of 4 somewhere on line yesterday with delivery by this Friday, but 'd already bought the ROdeo's.

[tjdonahoe]

My 07 ram had 115,000 miles did nothing to it…my 17 had 65,000 and so far so good..looks like oil is at $94/ bbl …road trip this month to west coast…probably high dollar fuel…across Canada in 2017 we paid $4.80-5.00 / gal..

[RickyNelson]

I am picking up my new 22 Ram 2500 this weekend. Just a little nervous now. ��

[jondrew55]

Originally Posted by RickyNelson

I am picking up my new 22 Ram 2500 this weekend. Just a little nervous now. ��

Bah, it'll be fine. I love mine. I'm not so much concerned about little things that go wrong. I'm just annoyed the parts shortages can mess you up. I need a new steering damper on my Rubicon. They have the dampener, but can't get the mounting hardware. They could scrounge something up if they had to, but I told them to wait. The steering isn't so bad. Not like having a bad shock on your truck when you're towing a trailer.