08 steering uprade

[JApol]

After some blood, sweat and tears I got the stock steering system out of my truck. The hardest part was getting the tie rod ends out. Those took a lot of PB blaster and pounding to get them out. The pitman arm was a lot easier.

I do not have it tightened down and driveable yet but I am already impressed by the design.

Everything appears to be about 50% bigger than stock. It also weighs about 50% heavier.

Here are some pics if the new setup. I have the bars laid out how they connect in the truck so you can also see the design differance

 

[pullya]

I think you'll like the new set up a lot better than the old.

Jay

 

[TFucili]

Can that upgrade be bought in kit form, or is it a piece-meal?

 

[Slow Six]

I just had it installed on my 03. It is a major improvement. It comes as a complete kit including a new pitman arm and stabilizer. I've only got about 3000 miles on it and so far no more death wobble.

 

[BigRedRam]

How does the new Dodge factory set up compare with the track bar upgrades made by Carli and others? How much does the new Dodge system cost? Are these the same components coverd by the recall that caused my truck to be inspected and deamed OK by the local dealer?



Does any one other than Dodge offer something similar to the new factory components shown?



Has anyone tried a new track bar then replaced it with the new Dodge comonents.

 

[Hob Borchelt]

How much was the kit and how much to install? I have developed the death wobble and want to make this upgrade. Please respond to -- email address removed --



I am using my dad's TDR log i!



Thanks!

 

[JApol]

How does the new Dodge factory set up compare with the track bar upgrades made by Carli and others? How much does the new Dodge system cost? Are these the same components covered by the recall that caused my truck to be inspected and deamed OK by the local dealer?



Does any one other than Dodge offer something similar to the new factory components shown?



Has anyone tried a new track bar then replaced it with the new Dodge comonents.

This is not a track bar setup. The track bar runs from the driver's side frame rail to the passenger side axle.



This setup is the steering linkage from the pitman arm to the tie rod ends.



Carli and others make some great products but as far as I know Dodge and Source Automotive are the only ones that sell this uppgrade.

 

[JApol]

Can that upgrade be bought in kit form, or is it a piece-meal?

I purchased it in kit form from Source Automotive. The only thing this kit has over the dealers system is that all the pivot points have a grease fitting.

 

[trafficmstr]

Nice that's my next thing

 

[Prairie Dog]

Wow, that is a huge difference. I was under my truck one time while someone rocked my steering wheel back and forth (looking for looseness) and noticed that the first few degrees of steering wheel movement were basically absorbed by the various joints flexing in the linkage. From the looks of the new design, that wont happen because of the more direct link between the wheels.

One question though, is there any reason the new linkage wouldn't work with my BD SBS?

 

[pullya]

If you buy this set up from Dodge you will have to purchase the pitnam arm and the steering stablizer seperately, however the new pitnam arm and stablizer are built to be compatable with the new steering parts. When I bought my "kit" the total cost was a little over $300 for everything. The early steering "kits" were subject to a recall so make sure the steering parts number end with an "AE". This is the newest part number. These new parts are well worth the money!!

Jay

 

[Prairie Dog]

Can you use the new kit with existing stabilizer and pitman arm (no lift on my truck)?

 

[MoparDave]

Prairie Dog, both the stabilizer and pitman arm need to be replaced.

 

[brods]

Can you use the new kit with existing stabilizer and pitman arm (no lift on my truck)?

Pitman arm, no. Toward the bottom of the first post shows the old vs new pitman arm: 03-07 OEM steering upgrade/DW prevention - Diesel Bombers



With a little work you can reuse the existing stabilizer. You must remove the captured stud on the stabilizer's tie rod end so it will work with the stud that is part of the new tie rod assembly. See the side by side picture of the stabilizers in the thread linked above. Iirc it was a bit of a bear to get that stud out. Using the old stabilizer was supposed to be a temporary arrangement until I got around to sourcing an aftermarket one (at half the price of stock), but it works fine as is. As with anything as critical as steering, use your best judgement, check it twice for any interference and proper operation and do not do it if you have any doubts about its safety.



Funny, on my truck the old tie rod ends came out easy, but I had to cut the pitman arm off.

 

[pullya]

IMO----I'd buy the new pitnam arm and the new steering stablizer, install them and be done with it----It's your truck--It's your call.

Jay

 

[Prairie Dog]

IMO----I'd buy the new pitnam arm and the new steering stablizer, install them and be done with it----It's your truck--It's your call.

Jay

Ya, for $300 I won't bother strugling with old parts. Mainly, I didn't want to have to pull my SBS brace to replace the pitman arm if I didn't need to. I thought I had read that the new arm was a must if you were lifted or something like that.

If I ask for a new Pitman arm, will the dealer parts guy give me the new design or do I have to worry about getting an old one?

 

[Regcabguy]

I ordered my pitman arm from Save Big @ Mopar4Less.com!! - Full Line Of Mopar Parts -. Part# and description was: CBCZH461 Arm Pitman 1902700. Price was $20. 93 +$5. 00 shipping. Ed was the parts rep. I think that's the cheapest posted.

 

[Blakers]

Here are links to the Mopar upgrade: DODGE RAM 03 To 2010 2500 & 3500 Steering Upgrade Kit PN PK362AF and to the Source Automotive upgrade: 2003-2009 Dodge Upgraded Steering Linkage

 

[Blakers]

Can grease fittings be put into the Mopar tie rod ends?