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Miguel
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2006
22:44:23
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 Subject: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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Message:
Hi guys/gals,
I was hoping to get your input on a little problem I've been having with my dak. I have an '01, SLT cab plus, 4X4, v8 with a heavy canopy but I'm having real bad traction problems. When I turn a corner, the back wheels always seem to spin and kind of stutter. I was thinking that it could be because of the V8 but I wasn't turning/accelerating that agressively.
I had a real bad experience this week too. I was on the highway and as soon as I switched lanes the backend started to fish tail really bad and It was really hard to straighten it back out. The truck was all over in both lanes and I was lucky that there wasn't another vehicle in the other lane or else it would've been ugly.
So I took the truck over to Les Schwab and they said the tires were in good condition. So do you guys think I need to add more weight to the back or could there be something wrong with my Dak?
I used to have a smaller 4banger Mazda truck and never ran into such problems. I'm even thinking of getting a different vehicle.
So let me if you guys have any suggestions.
Thanks
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Josh
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2006
22:52:06
|  RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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Message:
Could be you have a limited slip rear and it's real tight.
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Miguel
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2006
22:57:49
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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Message:
Josh, what do you mean? Does that have to do with the differential or something? Sorry but I'm not mechanically inclined.
Will loosening it remedy the problem?
Thanks!
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OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2006
23:31:17
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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How about a broken center bolt in a rear spring. or both maybe. Just covering posibilities here.Even bald over inflated tires wouldn't do this. I think you have a real dangerous problem.Take a close look at everything. Spring shackles, frame,you name it.
So many problems .... So little time
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Miguel
Dodge Dakota
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11/10/2006
23:55:16
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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thanks for your input OBIO3, it sounds like I need to take it to the shop, hopefully I won't get ripped off.
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Josh
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2006
01:06:27
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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Yes. The rear differential.
There are no "adjustments" you can make easily, but if there's something wrong with it a properly equipped shop can fix it.
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Miguel
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2006
01:50:37
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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I remember having my rear differential serviced about a year ago or so and they said that there were metal shavings. I don't know what the service was, I think they had to flush it out or something. But maybe the metal shavings were indicative of a problem. I'll definitely have a mechanic look at it though.
...and thanks agains for your help guys.
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Kowalski
GenIII
11/11/2006
08:22:02
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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Message:
Since you say this ALWAYS happens, I guess we can rule out the tendency for the rear to step out when we hit a bump in a turn due to poor matching of stock shock absorber valving to the spring rate in our unloaded trucks.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Miguel
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2006
10:56:50
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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Message:
Hey Kowalski,
I've always wondered about that whenever I've gone over bumps. It feels like the whole backend rattles and usually always steps out to one end or the other like it's losing control. Is that something that can be fixed?
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Manny
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2006
11:21:46
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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Message:
As Kowalski stated, "poor matching of stock shock absorber valving to the spring rate in our unloaded trucks."
And that is something you can fix. It's also the first logical place to start. Some good quality replacement shocks. See what changes that makes.
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2006
12:08:14
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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try some Monore Reflex shocks on the back. or whatever shock you like best. the Reflexs are recommended by a few others on here.
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Miguel
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2006
12:44:49
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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Hey daddio,
how much should I expect to pay for shock replacements? labor and parts? and are those Monroe Reflex shocks easy to get a hold of or am I going to have to order them online and then have the shop put them on?
Thanks
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mikesz
*GenIII*
11/11/2006
13:06:47
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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You will get them on : rockauto.com at about 39USD/pc.Installation is really easy
mikesz
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Miguel
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2006
13:18:10
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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Message:
thanks for the link and info guys!
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clint282cc
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2006
13:39:18
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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if i was you id look under there and see how easy it is to replace the shocks before payin a shop to do it.
but it sounds to me like the rear end is locked. idk if its possible but somone on here can back me up on this but the metal shavings couls be from the spider gears which might have just locked up on you so now you have a locked rear end. idk ifthat possible but its an idea. im sure kowalski or somone will help me out on this.
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Kowalski
GenIII
11/11/2006
14:08:17
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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Miguel - if that's what its doing, stepping out after a bump in a turn, then premium shocks will definitely help. Edelbrock IAS shocks made a big difference in my truck (can be pricy, I found them on sale at Jegs I think some time ago) and others have reported similar improvement with the other brands mentioned. If you've aired up your tires for better gas milage as many have, bringing the rear tires back down to around 28 psi affects the spring rate of the system and will help too.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Miguel
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2006
14:33:15
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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Message:
Kowalski, the stepping problem I've had ever since I've had the truck but the fishtailing is somewhat new. I'm taking the truck to the shop this week to get the rear suspension checked out and see if they can find any problems. But I'll definitely replace the shocks and see how much that improves the ride. Thanks for the useful tips guys, I really appreciate it.
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OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2006
16:09:34
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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I'm not at all convinced the shocks are the problem. Reason being, bumps was not mentioned in the post. the wrong shop will nail him for shocks needed or not. If there are teeth missing in the spider gears, for sure he would hear this any tiME one reaR Wheel turned faster then the other. If it has limited slip that has gone bad and is locking one or more wheels on turns, he would here tires squeel or at least cherp. If it was mine, I wouln't mention no possible parts(like shocks)or your gong to get them needed or not. Just tell them exactly what it does and let them find it. also by telling them exactly what it does, you may save there life on there test drives.
So many problems .... So little time
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2006
17:03:40
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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I've got an 01, 4.7, QC, Leer cab high top over the bed,
manual tranny, and limited slip.
Unless this changing lanes situation was on wet, or oily ground, it is NOT normal.
My 4.7, with a few mods, puts out 300ft lbs of torque, at the REAR WHEELS!- dynoed.
If I never experience this, you shouldn't. I have the 8 x 16 in. rims. But that shouldn't matter much.
My truck never experiences this as you describe. It also seems like more than a worn shock.
Good luck.
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Kowalski
GenIII
11/12/2006
08:32:22
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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Message:
Yup, sounds like the shock problem is definitely secondary to whatevr is going on in the rear. Like OBIO3 recomends, I wouldn't even mention that to them.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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Miguel
Dodge Dakota
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11/12/2006
11:34:19
| RE: Bad Traction -> fishtailing
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Message:
Thanks for the advice, I definitely won't mention any of that to them.
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