My HEMI ticks when it's cold. Is it the lifters or the exhaust?

Either is possible. A tick that's loud when cold and fades as the engine warms often points to broken exhaust manifold bolts. A tick that stays or gets worse, especially with a misfire code, points more toward lifters and the camshaft. We'll listen, scan and inspect to confirm which one before you spend money.

What causes death wobble on my Jeep Wrangler?

Death wobble is a symptom of worn or loose front-end parts, usually the track bar, tie rod ends, ball joints or control arm bushings. A new steering stabilizer can hide it for a while but rarely fixes it. We inspect the whole front end and replace what's actually worn.

Do you install lift and leveling kits?

Yes. We supply and fit Rough Country lift and leveling kits and AmericanTrucks parts for Rams, Wranglers and Gladiators. We don't install customer-supplied parts. Any lift changes the suspension geometry, so plan on a wheel alignment afterward, and we'll make sure the tires you choose have the right size and load rating.

My Pentastar V6 is leaking oil at the back of the engine. What is it?

On many 3.6 Pentastar engines, that leak comes from the plastic oil filter housing and cooler assembly in the valley of the engine. The oil runs down the back of the block, so it can look like a rear main seal leak. We'll clean, inspect and confirm the source before quoting the repair.

My Ram's air suspension won't level. What's wrong?

Usually a leaking air spring, a tired compressor or a faulty ride height sensor. A truck that sags overnight points to a leak, while one that never reaches height may have a weak compressor. We scan the suspension module and test the system to find the cause.

Can you fix random electrical problems on my Dodge or Jeep?

Yes. On some roughly 2011 to 2016 models, the TIPM power module is known for causing odd faults like a horn going off, a no-start or lights that won't switch off. Other faults have different causes, so we test the circuits first rather than assuming it's the module.

Ram, Jeep & Dodge Repair in Richmond, VA

Ram, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler under one roof

Ram, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler share a lot underneath, including the 5.7 HEMI V8, the 3.6 Pentastar V6, their transmissions and much of their electronics. That means the same known issues show up across a Ram 1500, a Grand Cherokee, a Durango and a Charger. We see these vehicles in our Richmond shop every week, from work trucks and daily-driver Jeeps to minivans carrying the family.

Every job starts with a proper diagnosis. We scan the modules, read live data and test the part before we replace it, then explain what we found and what it costs. You approve the work before we start.

Known engine issues: HEMI and Pentastar

5.7 HEMI tick and lifters

The 5.7 HEMI in Ram 1500s, Durangos, Grand Cherokees, Chargers and Challengers is known on some engines for a ticking noise caused by failing lifters and worn camshaft lobes, often linked to the cylinder-deactivation system. A tick that gets louder, a misfire code or a rough idle are the warning signs. Caught early, it's a smaller job than it becomes once the camshaft is damaged.

HEMI exhaust manifold bolts

Not every HEMI tick is internal. Exhaust manifold bolts on many of these engines break with age and heat, leaving a small exhaust leak that ticks loudly when cold and quiets as the engine warms up. It's an important difference, because the fix is very different, so we confirm which one you have before quoting.

3.6 Pentastar oil leaks and rocker tick

The 3.6 Pentastar V6 is in a long list of vehicles, including the Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Ram 1500, Charger and Pacifica. Many develop an oil leak from the plastic oil filter housing and cooler assembly, which sits in the valley of the engine and drips down the back of the block. Some earlier engines also developed a rocker arm tick. Both are well-known repairs on this engine.

Wranglers, death wobble and lift kits

"Death wobble" is a violent shake through the steering wheel on solid-axle Jeeps and Ram heavy-duty trucks, usually set off by a bump at speed. It's a symptom, not a single part. The cause is almost always a worn or loose component in the front end: See our lift and leveling kits page for how we plan and install them.

Track bar and track bar bushings
Tie rod and drag link ends
Ball joints and wheel bearings
Control arm bushings
A worn steering stabilizer hiding the problem rather than causing it

Replacing only the steering stabilizer often masks the wobble until it comes back. We inspect the whole front end, find the worn part and fix that.

Planning a lift? We supply and fit Rough Country lift and leveling kits and AmericanTrucks parts for Rams, Wranglers and Gladiators. We supply the parts we fit, so we don't install customer-supplied parts, but we can source most of what you've seen online. Any lift or leveling kit changes the steering and suspension geometry, so plan for a wheel alignment afterward.

Electrical and transmission behavior

Some Ram, Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler models from roughly 2011 to 2016 used a totally integrated power module (TIPM) that can cause strange electrical faults: a horn that sounds on its own, a fuel pump that won't run, wipers or lights with a mind of their own, or a no-start. Not every odd electrical problem is the TIPM, so we test the circuit before replacing it.

The 9-speed automatic in the Cherokee, Compass, Renegade and some Pacificas can shift roughly or hesitate, especially on earlier years. Software updates, fluid condition and adaptive learning resets fix many cases. On Ram 1500s with air suspension, a truck that sits low, won't level or throws a suspension warning usually points to a leaking air spring, a weak compressor or a height sensor fault. Grand Cherokees with the optional Quadra-Lift air suspension get the same step-by-step testing, so you replace the failed part and nothing else.

Tires for Jeeps, Rams and everything else

A Wrangler or Ram is only as capable as its tires. We fit all-terrain and light-truck tires from Nitto, Toyo, Falken, Cooper, Goodyear and Ironman, matched to your size, load range and how much time you spend off pavement. Bigger tires after a lift need the correct load rating and careful balancing, which we handle in-house. Browse brands on our new tires page.

We also work on the ProMaster van, Ram 2500, Gladiator, Cherokee, Compass, Durango, Charger, Challenger, Chrysler 300 and Pacifica. For a check engine light, our diagnostics process finds the cause instead of clearing the code. We're on Richmond Hwy in South Richmond, minutes from I-95. Walk in, call or text, or book online with your plate or VIN.

Ready when you are. Call or text (804) 297-6350, or book online and we'll come back with a quote and a time.