2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission FRONT END PARTS: What brand available

[trucknut]

2002 2500 under warranty

Took my truck to the dealer for service and had the front end checked out(way to much play). In their opinion the truck is normal. Front end is getting way to loose to drive in my opinion.

I haven't taken it back to complain a second time, but warranty just ran out.

If they can't fix the truck when it has warranty, they sure won't see it when its off warranty.

For the track bar I'll try the DT. Does anyone know of aftermarket front end parts --- tie-rods, lower ball joints.

Thanks

 

[Rob Thomas]

Moog makes drag links, track bars, and tie rod ends now (lifetime warrenty), I'm not sure about ball joints, but I will find out shortly, my uppers are toast.



Later, Rob

 

[Extreme1]

Assumingyou have a 4x4 since you are going to replace the track bar...



I use NAPA's "premium" parts. Lifetime warantee and greasable. If you are going to replace a worn ball joint, do upper and lower ball joints and the u-joint all at the same time.



Odds are your looseness is mostly caused by a worn steering box and or the trac bar and not ball joints.

 

[Fireman Dave]

Sounds like my truck when I first got it. I had the track bar and steering box replaced under warranty before 4,000 miles. That did the trick. Now at 43,000 it's a little loose again. I just installed the Darin Steering Stabilizer, and it's a big improvement. The streering is much more responsive now and no more wonder and slop. I just towed for the first time with this bracket over the weekend, and wow! My steering when towing is great now.

 

[lawdog]

I put a Moog track bar, upper drag ling rod end (at pitman arm) in mine and it made a world of difference. Have a friend rock (turn) the steerring wheel back and forth, just short rocks 1-2" and watch for play in the rod ends and the track bar, ecspecially at the frame. If you see movement, it is probably bad.



The Federal Guideline on Commercial trucks is 1/8" movement, other than rotational, measured by hand pressure only. . That is the criteria to put a Semi out-of-service for steering parts bad.

If you can see movement, other than rotational, you should replace the part. remember, a little movement in a joint, or a few joints, equals a big movement at the wheel...

 

[Show Cattle Hotshot]

Moog all they way

all my front end components are moog, very happy with them put over 200,000miles on a set on last truck on poor roads too!!





Jared

 

[trucknut]

It' amazing the dealer didn't see the bad track bar. It moves up and down allot and makes a popping sound when turning corners. There is some play in the tie rods as well. Its good to know moog is now making parts for the 2002 trucks. If I gotta pay for them it might a well be a lifetime product.



I have a 9812v with close to 100K, and the front end is in great shape. The only part changed on the front end was the track bar. The tie-rods are grease-able and the ball joints got needle greased a few times. Both trucks have been used in the same service. It just proves, grease-able tie rods are much better.

 

[trucknut]

Jared Moog is a great front end product, but hasn't been available for the 01 and 02's. Just learned about that from this thread. Sure like the sounds of the Lifetime warranty.

 

[DavidC]

Came across this. Check it out

http://www.rockauto.com/



Dave

 

[CumminsPower98]

loose steering

Something that everyone with loose steering should check is the preload on the input shaft of the steering box. I think this gets overlooked much of the time. Most people probably end up adjusting only the over center adjustment of the sector shaft. I just adjusted the input preload on my cousin's truck and also my own. It made a huge difference as both of them were loose. My cousin's truck even has a rebuilt unit on it with way fewer miles then mine and was still loose. - Mark -

 

[trucknut]

RE-CHECKED the track bar, with a co-worker turning the steering wheel back and forth.

The tie rod end does move up and down, but the bushing end is pounded out. Doesn't look good. Time to replace... .

 

[Ted Constantine]

I finally gave up on the dodge bars and paid for a DT track bar. I could not be happier. Everything bout it is better. The "upgraded" stock equivalents MOOG, NAPA, etc have actually shown shorter life than the dodge part in many trucks around here but are lifetime warrantied.

Other than that have you done the adjustments to your steering box? That POS is the source of many problems I have had on my truck.

Ted

 

[trucknut]

First the track bar will have to get changed, one thing at a time. Then I'll adjust that steering box abit. I know on my 98 adjusting the box did help

Sounds like that DT track bar is the way to go! Expensive but probably cheaper in the long run.

 

[jrollins]

if you do a search for ball joints you should find a link to a company named ingle i think is there name, they make the only adjustable aftermarket ball joint for the 4x4's that is available. hope that helps.

 

[powerwagon440]

where can u get a GOOD! steering box from i know mine is shot! and i have a new dodge track bar with a lukes link kit on it and it still pops and bangs every time i turn the wheel!!! im tired of this and im going with new steering box probally DT trac bar, dual shock kit, dual steering stablizers, darnins steering brace, 2" leveling kit and new trailing arms!! if that doenst do it anybody want a truck?

 

[trucknut]

Not sure who makes a good steering box. If I recall right HVAC(member)had bought one that was rebuilt tighter than stock. If he has run it long enough he might have an opinion on it.

Good luck.

 

[PABurns]

MOOG ES3527 TIE ROD END, ES3526 TIE ROD END. TOP TIE ROD

IS THE LONG ONE AND BOTTOM ONE (CONNECTS TO LEFT FRONT WHEEL SHORT ONE. DRAGLINK LONG ONE IS A MOOG DS1462. THE SHORT DRAG LINK WHICH MOOG HAS ASSIGNED A PART # IS A DS1460 THOUGH YOU CAN'T GET IT YET AS DODGE HAS'NT RELEASED PART TO SUB MANUFACTURE. O'REILLY PARTS STORE HAS THE FIRST THREE. THE PRICES ARE 33. 99,43. 99 AND 74. 99

IN THE ORDERED I LISTED ABOVE. THESE ARE FOR 2000-2002 3500 4X4. THE LAST DRAG LINK LISTED IS PURCHASED FROM DODGE PART#52106954AATIE ROD-DRAG LINK @$133. 10. ALL

ABOVE COMPONENTS CAME WITH THE CANADIAN STICKERS. TRACK BAR DON'T KNOW THE PART# IS AROUND $320. 00. I'M GOING TO TRY THE LUKES LINK.

 

[jpcnhear]

I have been searching for products that will solve this problem for the last two days and have found some good sights. Check these out

http://bulletproofsteering.com/main.html

http://www.mikesfabshop.com/index.html

 

[illflem]

Trucknut, if your front-end slop problem was documented while under warranty and they didn't fix it it's still covered by the warranty even if it has expired.

 

[MCharlebois]

input preload

any pictures of this anywhere -or maybe a little more info. much appreciated.

marcel