Can't drive in a straight line on the highway...

[BStoecker]

What would cause the truck to constantly drift side to side in your lane while driving down the highway? I can't seem to keep the truck in a straight line anymore. Either my driving skills are going bad, or something in the truck is wearing out. I'm just over 65,000 miles on the 3500 SRW LB. Ball Joints? I have the 100,000 extended warranty and have a list of things to get fixed already. I just want to have an idea what would cause this before I go before the service manager to plead my case to get it fixed...

 

[JWChessell]

Take a look at this thread:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152792



If the shortcut doesn't work, it's "Alignments??????" by KDillard.

 

[nps]

What would cause the truck to constantly drift side to side in your lane while driving down the highway?

Excessive drinking. Or perhaps not enough sleep after taking Ambien. :-laf



Could be many things. Steering box, steering shaft, tie rod ends, ball joints, track bar, really anything that is under the front.



My recommendation (after putting down the bottle) - don't just drop it off with a verbal description of the complaint. Take the service writer out on the road for a drive and show them your complaint so they know the test you will use to determine if they fixed it or not.

 

[Dual EE]

If your alignment is good, try rotating your tires. This has worked for me.

 

[ohnoitsyu]

If your alignment is good, try rotating your tires. This has worked for me.

And check the air pressure in all of the tires.

 

[BStoecker]

And check the air pressure in all of the tires.

Interesting. I just recently replaced my tires with a brand new set of the BFG Rugged Trails. It may be time to do a quick rotation to see if that changes anything. I can't remember if this has been going on before I changed tires or not. It does seem to be very gradually getting worse which makes me think more along the ball joints, TRE's, etc...

 

[BSilveira]

I have the same problem. My truck has 128,000 miles on it and it has never done this. It feels like I've been drinking. I worry around Highway patrol. Maybe I'm crazy, but I notice that I have more control when I get on it or accelerating on the freeway (75-80+ mph). I have a dual steering stabilizer from superlift, and the shocks might be worn out. I'm glad I'm not the only one with this problem.

 

[Prairie Dog]

My truck was born with this problem, turned out the steering gear was set up way too sloppy. Dodge replaced it and all is well.



Scotty

 

[jwilliams3]

I have it too. The truck wanders back and fourth on the road have to constantly correct.

It started to happen gradually after about 25k, I now have 31k.



Today I ordered the Steering Stabilizer kit from sourceautomotive. biz, hopefully that solves the issue.

 

[Coolslice]

It's just the high quality front ends of these trucks. Maybe when they release the 4th generation trucks DC will decide it's time to make a change so their trucks don't drive like a hay wagon after they get 30,000 miles. :-laf

I'm not holding my breath.

 

[barbwire]

My 04 is just fine when I have the Michelin tires on it that came from the factory. But, when I put my studded grip tires (can't remember the brand) on the back, it wanders all over the place. ( no matter what the inflation). When I put the Michelins on again, it straightens out & runs just fine. Quality??????

 

[BStoecker]

I have it too. The truck wanders back and fourth on the road have to constantly correct.

It started to happen gradually after about 25k, I now have 31k.



Today I ordered the Steering Stabilizer kit from sourceautomotive. biz, hopefully that solves the issue.

Understand that a steering stabilizer is a shock absorber. It doesn't fix anything in the front end suspension geometry. It just masks the problem so you can't feel it until the stabilizer wears out. We did a 1-ton steering upgrade on a 2004 Rubicon. There is no steering stabilizer on it now due to having all the components that are adjustable. It drives straighter on 3. 5" lift and 33" Truxus tires than my ram does stock... But, I guess after $4,000 in mods that correct what DCX didn't do from the factory on the Jeep, it should drive better...

 

[cj hall]

steering problem

hello

last night I was told about a problem that Dodge is having with there steering boxes flexing the frame, not sure what he was talking about but HE SAID HE HAS A FIX will call him today and find out more



cj hall

 

[CSilkowski]

Maybe a DSS is needed ??