2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 02 steering problem

[DWest]

My 02 has had a steering problem since about 60,000 miles where on an uneven paved road it will wander side to side. It goes down the road on good pavement like a dream, it doesn't pull to one side like my chevys did but on blacktop roads that have grooves where heavy trucks have run it can be a handful to drive and worse with a trailor behind. Where do I look, the dealer says the front end is tight. How about the stabilizer on the front, can and does it go bad? DW

 

[TMills]

Mine has always done that since I have owned it. I have changed tires, but it didn't get much better. I think it is just something to live with, especially on uneven roads.

 

[DWest]

I've never had any uneven tire wear but problem got worse with a more aggresive tread design. My 95 chevy did the same thing but at 140,000 miles verses 60,00 when I put a new set of Goodyears on it. DW

 

[DMcPherson]

mine does it a little, I think it more because of the low ratio steering, where the wheel doesnt feel at tight and responsive as other vehicles. thats what mine feels like anyway, with new ball joints and wheel bearings.

 

[BRobertson]

I added the solid steel DSS and the 03 trac bar conversion, and then the KORE chase system, also the KORE steering stabilizer. My truck(01) steers better than new!!

Also experimenting with the front tire pressures can make a BIG difference.

Bob

 

[DWest]

There is nothing little about this problem I've got. When I pull out to pass someone on this one road in particular I better have both hands in a death grip around the wheel or else. I won't even try to pass pulling the trailor. DW

 

[TMills]

You should check for steering play.

Have someone move the steering wheel while you look for areas that the steering can be tightened. Some common areas are the steering shaft, tie rod ends, and the gear box.

 

[SnoKing]

The solid steel DSS and the 03 trac bar conversion are a good starting point. Look at



www.solidsteel.biz



Darin now has an adjustable trac bar available. Marve on . ca does not!



Also just reading about the adjustable lower control arms that Darin (. biz) has.



SNOKING

 

[nps]

Mine wandered until I put on the DSS and 3rd Gen TB. The track bar did more to stabilize the steering than the DSS did. The DSS is there to preserve the steering box.

 

[McLaughlin]

Mine wandered until I put on the DSS and 3rd Gen TB. The track bar did more to stabilize the steering than the DSS did. The DSS is there to preserve the steering box.

Same here.

 

[DWest]

What is the DSS? DW

 

[TMills]

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 death 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

 

[NoSeeUm]

Same problem here, almost 40k on the truck.

 

[fox]

You need to have someone turn the steering wheel left and right-engine off- while you are under the front end.

The track bar has one ond connected to the frame- near the oil pan left side- and the other end to the axle. If it is loose this will show it.



Next if that bar is ok, is to have a good shop do an alignment. Ask them to disconnect the sway bar first. It has an effect on pulling to the right on my truck.

Ask for 6 degrees of positive caster, and balanced camber about 1/2 to 3/4 degrees again positive . Last is tow in and it should be 1/8 inch. Reconnect the sway bar AFTER a drive to see if it pulls before and after.



Mine drives like a 2wheel drive.

 

[nps]

DSS = Darrin Steering Stabilizer

It is my opinion that it does not work.

Does not work is a pretty generic statement. Perhaps your expectations were too high. What did you expect it to do - the only thing you mention is death wobble.



As I stated, it did little to stop wander but it most definitely works to support the steering shaft and eliminate play as a result. Mine was not that bad, but play has not increased since installing it either.

 

[csnider]

how much $ is the dss for a 2nd gen4X4?

 

[McLaughlin]

how much $ is the dss for a 2nd gen4X4?

Depends on where you buy it. If I had it to do all over again I'd get mine from Rip at Source Automotive.



Least expensive place I found was at Xtreme Diesel. I've purchased stuff from them before and the transaction when smoothly.

 

[TMills]

Does not work is a pretty generic statement. Perhaps your expectations were too high. What did you expect it to do - the only thing you mention is death wobble.



As I stated, it did little to stop wander but it most definitely works to support the steering shaft and eliminate play as a result. Mine was not that bad, but play has not increased since installing it either.

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.



I do not know how something can "do little to stop wander", but "definitely... eliminate play". The two go hand in hand. Wandering is caused by play in steering components.

 

[Davidson]

DWest, did you see the TSB on steering for 02 trucks on this web site? They have changed the toe-in specs.

 

[nps]

I do not know how something can "do little to stop wander", but "definitely... eliminate play". The two go hand in hand. Wandering is caused by play in steering components.

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.