Moparts Tech Archive

Dodge Truck

1998 Dodge Ram

Ok I know alot of you out there have Dodge Rams, I've got some questions concerning mine, it's a 1998 Ram 1500 with the 5.2. I get a surging feeling will drive on the freeway at speeds above 60mph and around town at speeds of 40mph on also, it fights taking the gas at freeway speeds in overdrive, take it out of overdrive and it's a little beter. I just had new rear bearings put in and had the transmission serviced: fluid changed,new filter and had the bands checked. Is it an electrical problem ie; spark plugs, coil,dist cap or rotor, or worse the computer? Gas supply ie; fuel pump, lines, fuel pick up? Thanks for the help in advance. This is a great website for technical questions and all.
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70340DART
Moparts Member
Posts: 223
From: SAN FRANCISCO CA USA
Registered: Jun 2000
posted 07-09-2002 02:26 AM

al sullivan
Moparts Member
Posts: 1246
From: victoria bc canada
Registered: Dec 2000
posted 07-10-2002 12:22 AM

if it happens at around 50mph you might be feeling the lock-up in the converter.if it's there below 40 or above 60(and most of the time)it could be a plug, wire, cap or injector etc. Sully.
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67dartdude
New Member
Posts: 13
From: Mountain View, CA USA
Registered: May 2002
posted 07-10-2002 01:24 AM

70340dart, I had the bearings in the rearend replace.
Al Sullivan, thanks for the suggestions, I'll check with the person that did the tranny work to see if he thinks it could be the converter, maybe he forgot something and I'll check the plugs, wires, cap etc...
Thanks for the help
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96Ram4x4
Moparts Member
Posts: 389
From: Capac, MI
Registered: Mar 2002
posted 07-10-2002 03:37 AM

Sorry I can't help, but I was just wondering-
How many miles were on your '98 when the axle bearings were replaced?
I wondered because our '98 2WD just had them replaced this past week right after the truck hit 80,000. It was the 9 1/4" rearend too; carrier bearings went out on it.
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67dartdude
New Member
Posts: 13
From: Mountain View, CA USA
Registered: May 2002
posted 07-11-2002 02:36 AM

96ram4x4 I have 74,400 miles on the Ram. I've talked with a couple of people I know that have 98s and they all had about the same amount. I place I called said he's done about 20 in the past year. All had between 50 and 90,000 miles on them. One person I know has had them replaced twice. The thing that makes me mad is all this is happening 4,000 miles after my extended warranty expired. Dodge knows when things are going to wear out I think. What you going to do? Buy a chebbie or phord? I guess I need to get the 67 Dart road worthy in a hurry.
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moparcollector
Moparts Member
Posts: 393
From: Peyton, CO
Registered: Jul 2001
posted 07-11-2002 02:45 AM

Our 4x4 98 Ram had the same bearings replaced just over 50,000 miles. Should have been a recall IMO.
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MRMOPAR
Moparts Member
Posts: 1191
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2000
posted 07-11-2002 03:19 AM

bearings repaced at the dealer?? Any chance they flashed the PCM??
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John Kunkel
Moparts Member
Posts: 2268
From: Rio Linda, CA, USA
Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-11-2002 02:54 PM

This TSB deals with oil leakage at the plenum gasket but the associated vacuum leak could cause surging.
http://dodgeram.org/tech/tsb/2000/09-05-00.htm
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67dartdude
New Member
Posts: 13
From: Mountain View, CA USA
Registered: May 2002
posted 07-12-2002 01:26 AM

MRMOPAR, didn't have the bearings replace at the dealer, wanted them done right and cheap. Had a local rearend specialist do the job. Cheaper and did a great job.
John Kunkel, had the mechanic that did the transmission service check the truck out tonight. Couldn't get the truck to do the stuff it's been doing. I guess the bottle of injector cleaner did its job. He also checked the onboard computer with his scanner. All codes checked out fine, no problems. Drove the truck home fast and hard and couldn't get it to surge like it's been. I guess the real test will be tomorrow morning when I drive to work on the freeway. keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks for all the great tips and suggestions. Please keep them coming, not sure if the thing is fixed or not.
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