Final Answer -- No Wandering!

[Runaway]

When I bought this truck I was a little skeptical of the way it handled. Wasn't sure whether it was all the wind, lousy road condition (spring breakup), not used to truck or if I actually ended up with one of those wandering trucks some of you are complaining about. 1800 miles later, things are loosening up nicely and I can drive without constantly correcting. Was getting alittle worried. Now if the 6-speed free's up some more I be extremely, extremely happy with the decision to go ETH/DEE.

Actually one of our wise "old" folks here on the board had told me when I bought the "99" to let thing wear in a bit before getting too excited/agitated -- sound advice!

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"01" Forest Green QC/LB ETH/DEE,4x4, 3. 54LSD, VDO (boost, pyro) Westin SS Nerf Bars and Grill Gaurd, Delta tool box, K&N.
00 28' Jayco 5th Wheel, 86 "Classic 16" Alumacraft, 00 Honda Rancher

 

[John Dimartino]

Your just getting used to driving it,it might need a steering box adjustment still,hop in a car,then back in the Ram,if its fine still,the stearing is OK,if your all over the road,get it adjusted.

 

[LSMITH]

John, that is great advise. I had no idea how sloppy mine was until I drove another vehicle and then drove my truck again.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[Newf Limo]

Just had mine adjusted today, 23k miles. They actually loosened it up a little. The mechanic said that they were overtightening to help reduce the feel of any brake pull and made it so tight it was a little jerky. Mine steers a little smoother and I don't feel like I am constantly making little corrections. My left shoulder and arm are still sore from our over-0night trip from LA to Sacramento and back. 12 hours total, but felt like 20. I will let you know how it works out in the long run. LongBeach to LA isn't far enough to get a good feel for it.

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2001 ETH 6spd 4X4 SLT

• Dark Garnet Red Pearlcoat
• A. R. E. MX Topper & Walk-thru Door and BEDRUG bed liner
• 3. 54 Anti-Slip Diff.
• Trailer & Camper pkg.
• Turbo Silencer Ring in Glove Box
• Snow Plow Prep aka Moving to Colorado Prep

Nothin' could be sweeter than "Rammin' With My Newfys!!"

 

[RKohn]

Mine doesn't bother me much, but I drove the wife's Town & Country for a day and when I got back in the truck, I thought the steering wheel was disconnected.

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Y2K Red Stealth Sport 2500 4X4 QC SLT+, 5-spd, 3. 54 LotsaSpinDiff, 265-75-16 LTX's (Don't Michelins ever wear out?), DC's dead cow/vinyl interior and 4-wheel don't stop anti-lock brakes, Roll-N-Lock bedcover. What silencer ring? (More fun than my 98 SST)

 

[Runaway]

Sorry guys, I change vehicles from day to day, may not drive the truck for 3 or 4 days, then I am back in it again. One day I drive a Neon, next day the Grand Voyager, back to the Neon, Then the RAM. Figured I'd get some skeptics with this post, but between the three vehicles I log about 1500 - 2500 miles a week in my travels. Don't hate me for having a truck that steers well! #ad

 

[LSMITH]

Vince, I am not being a skeptic, I was just shocked how bad mine actually was. I drive my truck only for weeks on end.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[Runaway]

LSMITH -- my "99" handled well also. It was tight and over sensitive the first few thousand miles I had it, but after things got worn in, it was one of the better handling trucks I had owned. Granted a big ole truck like this will NEVER handle like a small car or even a mini-van, but it's great for what it is - a truck. The worst handling trucks I've owned always came from the Blue Oval side of the fence and have never kept them as problems were never resolved.

 

[KDRABIK]

Well guys, for those of us who still have a problem, which by the way seems to be getting worse, should I trust the dealership boys to correct the problem all the while having to endure the rhetoric BS from them, or should I take it somewhere else? I have heard some of you state you have had new steering boxed installed, but with 26K+ miles on my 2001, would the warranty cover this, or wait until it expires then pay for it myself? Thanks ahead for any responses!!

 

[LSMITH]

KDRABIK, take it to the dealer and make them fix it. It is inexcusable for a new truck to have steering wander. If they give you a hassle about it being normal take a couple of new ones for a spin, that will show if it is or not. If that dealer can't fix it take it to another. I refuse to pay for what should have been designed into the truck. At 26K yours should have "worn in" as Runaway stated, but not be loose.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[Newf Limo]

So far so good. My steering feels much better. Sounds strange but, Less tight and less wander. I relate it to when I was a student pilot many years ago. I had the habit of shooting "white Knuckle" approaches. My grip was so tight on the yoke that every little move I made was input to the control surfaces, long story short, I was fighting myself but thinking I was in choppy air. As soon as I relaxed my grip the plane smoothed right out. The mechanic softened up the steering alittle so a little corrective input doesn't become a slight oversteer requiring a correction the other way and so on. . .
I will put a few hundred miles on this weekend then report again. I think the mechanics that have been tightening steering as a fix may have been making things worse for people. Just a thought.

[This message has been edited by Newf Limo (edited 03-24-2001). ]

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Originally posted by Newf Limo:
The mechanic softened up the steering alittle so a little corrective input doesn't become a slight oversteer requiring a correction the other way and so on. .

Good report. I have thought this is the problem with mine from the start. Glad to see that yours is cured. Will have to see if I can get mine adjusted. Did DC fix this or did you go elsewhere?

Shelby


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2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH (Built 09-10-00), DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 7745 miles as of 03-02-01. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.