2012 3500 Steering Improments

[jrollf]

In another recent thread about steering in a Gen 4.5, it was stated by a few the steering gear brace isn't useful on the Gen 4+...

Anyone with actual experience with one on a Gen 4? I've been considering doing this and/or something else to tighten up the steering of my 2012 RAM 3500. Steering feels "spongy" to me and wonders on center (driving straight) going down the road when compared with the 1993 F350 I have, which I've put a custom read head steering gear box and Borgesen steering wheel shaft on, rebuilt the front end with all polly bushings (done around 200k miles), so not exactly stock, the steering on it is awesome, zero wondering on the highway and zero "spongy" feel on center and very responsive for a truck.

Admittedly it's a bit of an apples and oranges comparison as the F350 is a 2x4 Crew Cab Dually while the RAM 3500 is a 4x4 Crew Cab Dually.

My RAM 3500 has only 134K miles on it and I'm not happy with the feel of the steering, some of which might be due to the tires that are on it when I bought it a couple months ago (off brand AT "heavy duty" tires, not LT, sidewalls seem "squishy"). When towing I have to constantly "think about" keeping the rig centered in the lane, I don't have this issue with the old F350. Any suggestions on how to make it better... (I suspect I really need to bite the bullet and replace all 6 tires even thought they are new).

 

[AH64ID]

Being a 2012 you would probably benefit from one more than later 4th Gens since the frame/steering was essentially the same from 03-12 (03-13 on 2500).

Are those tires rated for the weight that they need to be?

 

[MConyers]

[QUOTE (I suspect I really need to bite the bullet and replace all 6 tires even thought they are new).[/QUOTE]
That might be the culprit, not cheap to find out though. I had a brace on my last 3rd gen with Toyo MT's and it really helped in keeping the truck where it was pointed. Didn't have as aggressive tires on my early 4th gen, 2011, so can't advise other than to say it seemed more solid to begin with, compared to the 3rd gen with stock ATs.

 

[Ozymandias]

It maybe sounds funny- but the steering gear isn't involved at all for going straight down a road.
Alignment is it, the geometry makes your truck go straight.

Align it to Thuren specs and your problem is solved - if the tires aren't to bad after all.

 

[jrollf]

Being a 2012 you would probably benefit from one more than later 4th Gens since the frame/steering was essentially the same from 03-12 (03-13 on 2500).

Are those tires rated for the weight that they need to be?

They aren't full Loaded Range E but close, and so far my loads/trailers haven't exceeded the ratings.

 

[jrollf]

It maybe sounds funny- but the steering gear isn't involved at all for going straight down a road.
Alignment is it, the geometry makes your truck go straight.

Align it to Thuren specs and your problem is solved - if the tires aren't to bad after all.

Good point, I found out there is an open recall on the truck, I'll have the alignment done at the same time.

 

[EDankievitch]

Having rebuilt the front end on my 13 … you will never get it to drive like a F250/f350. They use a totally different system from how the drag link connects to the passenger steering knuckle to how the track bar attaches to the frame. On your 12 start with EMS ball joints. Then go with the Senergy track bar or Carli. Don’t forget the upper an lower control arms those rubber bushings get sloppy after miles of rough roads. update the steering linkage to Senergy’s kit they have a bushing on the passenger side tie rod end that takes the up an down flop out of the crossover link. Finally install a Redhead steering box and steering box brace. All this will help.

 

[jrollf]

Having rebuilt the front end on my 13 … you will never get it to drive like a F250/f350. They use a totally different system from how the drag link connects to the passenger steering knuckle to how the track bar attaches to the frame. On your 12 start with EMS ball joints. Then go with the Senergy track bar or Carli. Don’t forget the upper an lower control arms those rubber bushings get sloppy after miles of rough roads. update the steering linkage to Senergy’s kit they have a bushing on the passenger side tie rod end that takes the up an down flop out of the crossover link. Finally install a Redhead steering box and steering box brace. All this will help.

Thanks for the advice, I feel like a "newbie" again with my RAM 3500, spent the last 15 years with my F350 and know it inside and out... working on getting there with the RAM but will take a while.

Agree that I'll likely never get the steering to feel the same as the F350, but hoping to get closer to it. It really is an apples to oranges comparison considering the F350 is 2x4 with the twin I beam front suspension vs the RAM's 4x4 solid front axle. My biggest complaint is the "wondering" on center... which could be due to the tires and/or alignment. I'll start with the alignment and go from there. While getting it aligned I'll have them check the control arm bushings (which they should do anyways), short of that I can get it on jack stands at home and see what kind of slop/play is in them and the rest of the front suspension. I'll just have to remind myself to take a breath, one step at a time.

 

[Topzide]

@jrollf, I'll agree with others that have stated about the Thuren specs for alignment! Had a drift issue on my 4x4 DRW and went to have alignment. Had them show me what it was before proceeding. Compared to Thuren and was different. Had the spec it to Thuren and took a test driven with mechanic. Way less drift and better tracking! Left a copy of spec with them to put all RAMs that come through to new specs. Mechanic has stated that this will make a lot of RAM owners much happier! Gave a copy to FIL for his 2020 3500 DRW that had Nexen's and wasn't happy with ride. Had an alignment and made things better for him also. Tires do play into problems, along with worn front end components! Every rotation involves checking play in components. Easily done with long bar when tires off the ground! We all know are trucks and should stay on top of maintenance. These trucks are heavy and need to be up kept to give us the performance we expect! JM2C

 

[jrollf]

@Topzide, I've heard nothing but good results from the Thuren alignment specs. I've already downloaded and printed the spec sheet to take to the alignment shop... now I just need to find a way to escape from work for an afternoon to get it done...

 

[Ozymandias]

Good point, I found out there is an open recall on the truck, I'll have the alignment done at the same time.

You want to have it set to Thuren specs - the factory specs are crap.
If the shop doesn't want to do factory spec only then walk way as it won't fix the problem.

 

[lpennock]

When I had the dealer do my alignment I took the Thuren spec in and told them no matter what do the zero toe as I was getting bad wear on the outside of the tire. I Don't think they completely followed the Thuren but they did do the zero toe and my tires are wearing good and it drives great. My point is that on a stock height truck the toe is probably the most important but ideally get all the Thuren specs.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My alignment guy of many years set my 11 DRW in 2013 to 1/64" toe. Same with current DRW and all is good!

 

[Ozymandias]

My alignment guy of many years set my 11 DRW in 2013 to 1/64" toe. Same with current DRW and all is good!

That is about Zero, as true Zero is hard to achieve.

 

[Cummins12V98]

This guy was good!!! Unfortunately for me he has retired.

Factory setting.

 

[Regcabguy]

I think Dodge finally got the steering right with the single control arm setup.

 

[p-Bar]

The newer alignment machine will give you a before and after printout. Thanks for the thuren reccomendation

 

[p-Bar]

Took mine in for alignment the shop couldn't do the fenders of the dually were in the way of the lasers. Also since its 4wd the only adjustment is toe or were they smoking crack?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Took mine in for alignment the shop couldn't do the fenders of the dually were in the way of the lasers. Also since its 4wd the only adjustment is toe or were they smoking crack?

Toe ONLY and set it to 1/64", good to go!!!

 

[Ozymandias]

Toe and caster.