2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Does your truck do this?

[jrandol]

My truck since new never felt like the steering was real tight. It always has been a little work to drive and seems like it has a mind of its own. Either i am getting picky or it really is, but it seems to be getting more "playful" on the interstate and likes to wander the road a bit. Is this just a Dodge thang?

 

[csevers]

It just could be a dodge thing

My truck has never been real tight in the steering department, It got a lot worse about 80k so I finally gave up and replaced the worn trac bar and it steers much like it did when new, just a little loose. The trac bar would be the first thing to check.



Craig

 

[stg2500]

How do you determine if the track bar is worn? Is this any easy repair or should it be taken to a shop to be done?

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

My truck did that. Replaced track bar, and it's almost like new again. Also ordered one of Darin's steering box fixes. Will put that one when the weather straightens up around here and see how that does. I have a little slop in the steering box, also. Bought my trac bar at Advance auto. Just over $100 bucks, lifetime warranty, made by TRW.



Jim

 

[LaserBob]

Jeff,



Go see Louie at "Louie's Alignment and Brake" on 1st Ave. Louie is the best I have ever seen for fixing steering problems in our trucks as well as cars. He is a nice guy, too.



LaserBob

 

[CRegal]

Lukes link will fix your problems... .



http://www.lukeslink.com

It is a dodge problem... ...

 

[athompson]

My experience was that the wandering was a Michelin thing. My truck quit wandering and pulling when I put the MT/Rs on.

 

[RBSOB]

Michelin thing?

AThompson, you're the first I've heard attribute The Wander to stock Michelins but I had a similar experience. Changed over to Coopers for better winter traction in Nov. of '01... . never put the stock tires back on. Better all around traction and far less wandering. I thought maybe the slightly taller, wider tire (285s) helped? Any one else make a tire only change over and see improvement? Jim G.

 

[RO'neal]

Originally posted by stg2500

How do you determine if the track bar is worn? Is this any easy repair or should it be taken to a shop to be done?

Have someone get in the truck and turn the steering wheel back and forth taking the slop out of it while you lay underneath and watch the track bar for movement. If it is bad you will notice it where it bolts to the frame.



Whatever route you decide to take (OEM replacement, DT, Luke's Link, Moog, etc), it is an easy repair. Personally I run the DT and I swear by it.

 

[Dennis Garrett]

Mine's a 97, still steers great after 180k, but I've had to take up the steering box preload twice to keep it that way. I don't know if the later trucks have the same box, but the adjustment might be similar.

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1997/19-10-97.htm

 

[rolltideram]

I am new to the TDR and I just read my first issue this month. I remember seeing something about adjusting the caster on 4x4's to eliminate the steering wander. Anybody tried that?