2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission all over the place

[RGRAT1618]

Here is the story. I tow a trailer with a dirt track late model race car on it. With the trailer on and going around 60 mph the truck wants to go all over the place. I'm fighting to keep it straight. If I slow down to round 50 or so it is much better. Without the trailer on the truck steers well but I do notice that it like to follow the grove of the road. Any ideas. I curently have 71,000 miles on the truck. THe trailer is a dual axle trailer with a loaded weight around 7,000 pounds. Tounge weight 550 pounds.

 

[WestTN]

You need 12 to 15 percent of the total weight on the tongue. You're a little short of that. If your truck is a 4x4 you may need some front end work to tighten things up.

 

[GCULP]

check the track bar, check the steering box for wobble, check the upper and lower ball joints, check the tie rod ends. Have no fear, you're not the first to experience this.

 

[RGRAT1618]

Update:



I checked the tie rod ends. no play at all. I also checked the ball joints. Seem to be alright. pushed up and down with a crowbar under the tire and not much movment at all. The steering box center shaft moves about 1/8th of a inch off center when the wheels are turned back and forth.

 

[JKinney]

Update:



I checked the tie rod ends. no play at all. I also checked the ball joints. Seem to be alright. pushed up and down with a crowbar under the tire and not much movment at all. The steering box center shaft moves about 1/8th of a inch off center when the wheels are turned back and forth.

You did not mention that you checked the track bar, at 71,000 its gotta be worn out.

 

[ata]

As said above your light on your tongue weight. Try and get it up to 900-1000#. Does the trailer sit level when hooked-up or a little nose down. You don't what the tongue higher then the back end. Do all the tires have the same air pressure in them. Is your race car tied down by the frame so it's not shifting it's weight. I don't think I would worry about the truck if it doesn't do it with out the trailer unless you have to constantly have to move the steering wheel at Hi-way speeds.

 

[RGRAT1618]

Your right, I didn't check the track bar. On the list for tonight to look at. We are going to load up the trailer and remeasure the tounge weight. As it is when it is loaded, the trailer is almost level. The rear of the trailer in lower to the ground then the front, but that is how it is made. The trailer is a rebelious drag circle champ trailer. I will look more into the steering(trackbar) tonight. Thanks for the help.







Rob

 

[Darrenf]

That steering shaft movement isn't helping your situation either. I saw that in mine and have installed the DSS stabilizer. http://www.solidsteel.ca/DSS.htm or http://www.sourceautomotive.biz/steeringsuspension.htm The other option (or additional option) is to decide if you want tighten the slop up a little with the adjustment screw on top of the steering gearbox. I've heard various opinions on doing this procedure as opposed to buying a new gear box. Might buy you a little time at any rate. Check your shop manual for proper procedures. Check out the sourceautomotive link and you might find the complete steering solution right there, If the tongue weight doesn't fix it.

 

[Thomas]

... The other option (or additional option) is to decide if you want tighten the slop up a little with the adjustment screw on top of the steering gearbox. ...

D/C even wrote TSB 19-10-97 (Steering Wander) endorsing the adjustment: http://dodgeram. info/tsb/1997/19-10-97.htm.

 

[NVR FNSH]

Update:



I checked the tie rod ends. no play at all. I also checked the ball joints. Seem to be alright. pushed up and down with a crowbar under the tire and not much movment at all. The steering box center shaft moves about 1/8th of a inch off center when the wheels are turned back and forth.

If you can see vertical movement in a ball joint then it probably needs to be replaced. The 1/8" of shaft movement needs to be fixed - the DSS isn't the solution in this case.



Brian

 

[GCULP]

The 1/8" of shaft movement needs to be fixed - the DSS isn't the solution in this case.

I agree, I don't think the DSS is a cure for a bad steering shaft. but it will definately prolong the life of a new one.



Check the track bar, have some one move the steering wheel back and forth with the truck running and watch the ball joint end on the driver's side, $1 says it will be moving up and down.

 

[Jim McCarty]

It could be something as simple as air pressure in your tires. Pump up the rears to about 75 or 80 psi and that may take care of it. Good luck.

 

[Jim McCarty]

Check your air pressure. Anything under 60 psi and you will get sway. 75 or 80 psi might take care of the problem.

 

[Crowhurst]

Do you have a load distribution hitch and sway control? These are required for tongue weight of that size, according to the Owner's Manual for my '98 12 valve.

Nick.

 

[RDHamill]

All great advice, I agree that the DSS is not meant to replace worn parts, but it is meant to reduce frame flex, which it does, I find the results to be dramatic, it's well worth the effort.

Put one on before things are worn out

 

[RGRAT1618]

anthor update



Last night I looked at my tires on the truck. They are Dayton Timberline A/T. THey are load range D. I have 50 psi in them. I have to move the car and trailer tomorrow so I am going to rasie the pressure up to 65psi. THat's there max. I'll let you know it it helps.





ROb

 

[Loren]

Rob,



Once again... You do not have enough weight forward on the trailer.



Higher tongue weight for a trailer is not an inherent advantage. Tongue weight is used as a way to measure where the trailer's center of gravity is relative to the axle(s). If the center of gravity is not sufficiently far forward of the axles the trailer will be unstable and will sway from side to side.



Have you ever seen a semi-trailer swaying around like your trailer? Have you noticed where the axles are on a semi-trailer? Can you imagine what percentage of a semi-trailer's load is tongue weight?



Move weight forward on the trailer.



Loren

 

[wcjp]

My 96' did the same exact thing when towing over a local mountain pass. Luckily one of the club members wasn't towing with his Suburban. He cleared all traffic until my truck and trailer came under the control. Two problems created the scary scenario. First was tongue weight. The second problem which was the main culprit was the control arm bushings. I bought the truck used and didn't think to check these. After replacing the control arm bushings the truck drove great empty/loaded.



Eventually I changed the trac bar, Rancho 9000 shocks and added the DSS. All made a positive difference.