2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 02 steering problem

[SnoKing]

I put one of the first DSS on a perfect steering box, so... ... ... ... ... years from now it will still be perfect. Also my track bar only had a small amount of play, but the truck has Darins bracket and a 3rd gen track bar that should still be good years from now. SNOKING

 

[TMills]

If you read my post, I said that I didn't have much play in the steering shaft to begin with. I also said the track bar did more to eliminate wander. But I haven't got any additional play in the steering shaft either since installing the DSS. If that's too hard to understand, then no wonder you were disappointed.

I understand the concept just fine. It is MY OPINION that it does not work. I am entitled to my opinion just like your are. It made my death wobble worse and did nothing to tighten up the steering. If the money was spent on a decent steering box, such as PSC, then there would be no need for the DSS. It is just a bandaid for a bigger problem. During some situations it can even put more stress on the bearing and cause it to fail. If this is to hard for you to understand, then you can take it and stick it :-{} .

 

[nps]

Get a grip. :{ :{



Yeah - guess it's too hard to understand how a DSS puts more stress on the bearing so I guess I'll just have to stick it - wait - I already did stick it on my truck!

 

[Fishin Guide]

I understand the concept just fine. It is MY OPINION that it does not work. I am entitled to my opinion just like your are. It made my death wobble worse and did nothing to tighten up the steering. If the money was spent on a decent steering box, such as PSC, then there would be no need for the DSS. It is just a bandaid for a bigger problem. During some situations it can even put more stress on the bearing and cause it to fail. If this is to hard for you to understand, then you can take it and stick it :-{} .

No offense, but that's just crazy talk!



It does not matter whose steering box you buy. They all have the same basic design. And that design allows for a high degree of leverage on the bearings. The DSS is nothing more than a bearing holder that takes the stress off the boxes shaft.



Now, that being said, the only improvement you would get is if there was some waer on the bottom bearing and it would help things firm up. It is not a fix for an already shot steering box.



Death wobble is usually caused by factors other than the steering box. Typically, it's the track bar, TREs, shocks or just a bad alignment.



I would like to know how the DSS could add stress to the box. As long as the frame stays intact, it's not gonna do a thing.



You sound bitter about buying a product to fix an exisiting issue. I would figure out what was the core cause of the problem and address it. The DSS is a good product. I will have one soon myself. But I don't expect it to clear up sloppy steering, death wobble, clear traffic off the hiway or make coffee in the morning.



You have to undestand the animal you are hunting...



Dave

 

[SnoKing]

Gee and I have been running mine for a couple years and the steering box has not failed or anything. And guess what the lower bearing has not gotten sloppy.



Lets see stock:

Top bearing

Bottom bearing

Pitman Arm

<-> Stress



Then with DSS:



Top bearing

Bottom bearing

Pitman Arm

| reduced stress

DSS bearing.





I'll keep the DSS, thank you. It does not take a rocket scientist see that it removes a lot of stress off the bottom bearing that has a track record of wearing out in a short time.



SNOKING

 

[KWentling]

I put the DSS on a loose box and If anything it made the steering worse. Now it's supporting my new PSC box and life is good. I think it's a good product. It should extend the life of a tight box for a long, long time. If you're thinking it's a cure for an existing problem, sorry, it won't do it.



Kim

 

[MBreyer]

DSS = Darrin Steering Stabilizer

It is my opinion that it does not work. I know that some people will swear by it and it made the truck brand new again, but it sure didn't for me. It actually made my wobble worse.

I would look into buying the thuren fabrication track bar, best quality direct bolt on track bar, before I spend all my money on a new 3G track bar and expensive bracket.



Todd

I couldn't have said it better myself.

We have 3 Dodges, none are perfect. I'm looking at the steering box next...



BTW, I'll be ordering my 3rd truck's track bar from Don, for what it's worth...

~Matt

 

[MBreyer]

Kim,



Just read your post. I think this sounds more accurate. If the box is/was shot, then reinforcing the end might help for a good box, but just refocus a shot one.



My 01 has 200k on the clock, and best I can tell, the box is shot. If I was smarter, I'd try to adjust it myself, 'cause I know there's some adjustability. However, I'm not. so I'm looking at the PCS Steering box option right now. Actually, was just on the site trying to figgure out which box is the right one...



~Matt

 

[GCULP]

I do not think that my expectations were to high. When paying for a product I expect it to something. I expected it to tighten up my steering and help with the death wobble.

TMills - not to beat a dead horse here, but I don't recall any verbage in the DSS advertising stating that it would cure the "DEATH WOBBLE". To expect it to do so seems a little far fetched, if you re-search the death wobble issue, it is related more to caster, toe-in, and track bar that anything else. As others have stated, the DSS is a great addition to a steering box that is functioning properly and will pro-long the life of a steering box, and they all have the same inherent design and will fail at some time without extra support of the steering shaft.



Best of luck to you on the death wobble, I'm glad I haven't been cursed with it yet.

 

[ASimpson]

Ok Heres My 2cents I Have An 01 With 160,000 Bought It At 84,000 Had Dodge Put New Steering Box On Then Always Pulled Hard To The Left No Matter What Tire Setups Was Aligned Probably 5 Or 6 Times After Each Thing I Did To It And The Following Are All The Things I Did To Try And Fix The Steering All New Tie Rod Parts, Ball Joints, New Front Break Lines,dss System, Tried Tightening Up Steering Box, Then I Finally Fixed It New Psc Steering Box And The 3rd Track Bar Which Advance Auto Has Been Footing The Bill On Since The First One. After The New Box Any Wondering Is Gone No More Pulling To The Left And It Steers As Easy As A Luxury Car. I Wouldnt Have Believed What The New Box Would Improve If I Hadnt Seen It For Myself And Yes The Dss Is Still On And Will Remain On Because I Think It Does What Its Supposed To And I Think It Will Make The New Box Last Longer. After 3 Years Im Finally Happy With How My Truck Drives.



Note My Old Box Was Four And One Quarter Turns My New One Is Three Makes A Big Difference In Steering But Im Thrilled With It. Just My 2 Cents. Adam