Front End/Steering Issue

[AlaskanCummins]

I'm at my wits end.

THIS WAS MY ISSUE:

When I make a tight turn, right or left, from a dead stop to around 25 MPH, the truck doesn't want to self-center correct. At times, I have to physically hold the steering wheel to the opposite direction to keep it going straight. After about an 1/8th of a mile and diving from left to right, it'll go back to being normal.

HISTORY: I replaced my ball joints last September with Dyna-Tracs, steering box last May with a Red Head and at the same time installed the 08 update tie-rod kit w/a new steering damper.

Truck has a steering box brace installed, KORE Chase suspension and free-spin hubs.

LAST WEEK: I installed a replacement Red Head steering gear box which until today, appeared to fixed the problem. And, come to find out, I needed a new pitman arm because Dodge figured out that if you do the 08+ update on the tie rod/drag link, you need this "less of an angle" arm due to the original one binding up the new tie rod resulting in a possible broken off end (newest recall).

TODAY: I made a right turn and the truck did the same thing, only not as bad. I could feel it wanting to stay to the right and with a little bit of effort on my part holding the wheel to the left, it decided to be normal again.

Anyone out there have any ideas?

I checked the ball joints and they appear to be tight; no play at all. Tie rod ends/drag link ends look good since I just put that new pitman arm on Saturday. Wheel bearings appear to be good; no play.

Trying not to hate this truck... ... .

 

[VanOverbeke]

Just drive the 73! Hope your doing well up there and sorry I am no help.



Bryce

 

[04blackcherry]

Has it been doing this since you installed the Dyna-Tracs? Seems I've read someplace that the high precision ball joints are so tight you can hardly get grease into them, and make the steering tight. Also check your caster angles.

 

[BGlidewell]

could it be a steering stabilizer issue?

 

[AlaskanCummins]

Last couple of days, truck is steering just fine.



It's possible that the ball joints may be too tight, but I doubt it.



Stabilizer was new 14 or so months ago, but I didn't think that it could be the culprit. I'll check it out this weekend.



And Bryce, I drive the Fummins as much as I can. It's so enjoyable; one because it's a conversion and two, it's just loud enough that I can't hear the wife when she talks. :-laf



Thanks for the ideas guys!

 

[JCockerill]

i would start by disconecting steering linkages at knuckles, pitman arm, damper, ect. and with front end up in the air. run each section by hand and feel for resistance. you can feel the ball joints, damper and steering box for resistance for binding this way. as someone else mentioed. caster angle will cause this condition as well. you need to make sure you are still in factory spec after installing any lift that would change front end geometry. usually lift springs or spacers without new control arms will put you into negative camber which act like a shopping cart caster wheel. death wobble will aslo result with negative caster if you have any play in front end. i have had my share of front end problems with my 06, and found the best way to pinpoint problems, is through process of elimination. break it down and eliminate components until you find the culprit.