2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 94-01 Steering Wandering Count!!

[sg5054]

3 Lukes Links so far. Looking at a box now. Ball joints are still ok... . for now.

Currently 156k.

 

[BAnderso]

2001 2500 Qc ...

 

[SFPADGETT]

1-94 2500 2wd

1-94 3500 2wd

1-95 2500 4 x 4

1-95 3500 2wd

1-97 2500 2wd

1-98 2500 2wd

 

[DieselNasty]

Had it a few times on my 94 so I added a DSS, new steering box, new ball joints, Dynatrac Free-Spin Hub Conversion(not really for wobble or wander ), and more things to come.

 

[TMoe]

steering wander

2001 4x4 QC SB



They all wander, period. The design sucks and I'm with Tomscreek, my next truck will be a GMC after driving my dad's 2500 gasser, I'm depressed, not really. Love power, exhaust brake, etc. , hate the steering and fuel delivery. What I've learned in only 20,000 miles since brand new.



1. Lower tire pressure to minimum recommended.

2. Bilstein shocks.

3. DSS, a must, just watch that sector shaft move!

4. Fix the lousy trackbar end, factory bar is a strong forged bar. Linstadt kit then 3rd gen, no better than Lindstadt and real stiff when hitting bumps now. No more maintenance however.

5. T-steering might have helped a little but if Y is so bad why still used on 3rd gen trucks? I haven't added stabilizer and don't need one.

6. PSC 3 turn box does not help wander as my factory 4 turn had no slop. Nicer to drive though.

7. Added caster, seemed to help a little.



A lot of time and money that should never have been necessary.



I may still keep the truck but I wish I would have bought a 2WD or a different brand.

 

[NHays]

Big time

2nd steering box, New ball joints, Tie rods, Drag link, 4... ... ... yeah, 4 Track bars. working on 5 now. t\Truck still is not steering right. Frame is straight, camber and alignment has been checked and reset 8 times. Seems to go about 4 months on one track bar.

 

[CAfricano]

01 2500 4x4 QC

 

[DavidsonM]

i have a 99 3500 4x4 with the same problem.

how do you fix it

 

[RolandJ]

02 2500 4x4

 

[snake]

3 Lukes Links so far. Looking at a box now. Ball joints are still ok... . for now.

Currently 156k.

So you had problem with Lukes Links also? On my second one. Tighten it up again on Sunday.

 

[Tomscreek]

While I finally made some significant headway. A while back I purchased a new PSC gearbox and after the installation I think the truck was worse. LOT'S of play and wander. I lived with it until the other day when I decided to tighten the over center adjustment just for the heck of it. As per the instructions in the TSB, I didn't turn the adjuster very far the first time and didn't notice much difference. I thought I'd try one more time so I turned that sucker about 3/4 of a turn and WOOPIE, noticeably BETTER steering, way better, finally!! I crawled under it last night and tightened it a little bit more but haven't driven it yet. I think I can almost live with it now.

 

[Loghead]

'97 2500 4x4... wanders like beagle looking for a wabbit.

Not really that bad. It's got lots of new front end parts. The only oldy is the track bar. The way the thing sways when steering tells me the track bar is out to lunch. I just checked the lindstad site, I'll probably give them a call about either the kit or a core/rebuild swap.



I'll second anyone who says the front suspension design on these 2nd gen Dodge 4x4's is pitiful. If they couldn't do any better than that, they should've stuck with leaf springs. Simple and reliable.

 

[SAndreasen]

wanders like a pig in s. h. i . t 170000

01 2500 quad cab

 

[SAndreasen]

qqqqqqqqqq

 

[muchsnow]

Inverted T steering.....

wanders like a pig in s. h. i . t 170000
01 2500 quad cab #ad

I tell you what, the inverted T centerlink conversion, good track bar, and steering box in good condition, does wonders (not wanders) for making the 4X4 trucks a one or two finger on the wheel highway ride.


Mine still drives great. ... ... ... . FWIW... .....

 

[BDanner]

It was a very good thread!

Muchsnow, I'll second all of that! Did the '01 shortly after you posted the excellent "how to do" with all the part numbers.



Did you ever add a steering stabilizer? I have yet to do so.







Bruce in Northern VA

 

[muchsnow]

steering

Muchsnow, I'll second all of that! Did the '01 shortly after you posted the excellent "how to do" with all the part numbers.

Did you ever add a steering stabilizer? I have yet to do so.



Bruce in Northern VA

I never added a stabilizer, just didn't have too.

However, it took moving to Utah before I finally got a top notch alignment done on the truck.

Go figure huh? I can't tell you how many times I've been told, since the truck was new, that "it's in spec".

It's the best it's been even since it was new.

Have a good one.

 

[WBrower]

1997 2500 5 track bars 285000KM

1998. 5 3500 1 track bar 110000KM

1999 1500 4track bars 306000KM



put in Lukes Link in all ,now 100%

 

[Stroker Smoker]

97 2500 4x4 pretty solid



02 2500 4x4 wanders like it is its job. Soon to have new ball joints and (99 HD) T-style steering tierods

 

[blacksmokin]

'98 club cab, long bed, 4x4, 5spd, 124,000 mi. , new trac bar, still bad