2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Loose Steering

[wyatt1672]

I don't have the death wobble but there is a lot of slop in the steering wheel. Will replacing the steering gear box help with this?

 

[JR]

It depends on the condition of the rest of your front end. Steering wander can be caused from a number of issues It would be a good idea to have someone start the truck and turn the wheel back and forth while you check for any loose or worn steering components, IE ball joints, tie rod ends, etc.

 

[HHhuntitall]

... . and don't forget to check the tracking bar...

 

[Jeeper401]

As said, first check for loose tie-rod ends. Have someone wiggle the steering wheel (with the engine off) and feel all the ends of the tie rods and drag links. If everything's tight, you can adjust your steering box. I just got done doing this. On the top of the box, there's a 5/8 jamnut with a 3/16 allen screw in the middle of it. Center your steering wheel, loosen the jamnut about a half-turn, and while holding the jamnut still, tighten the allen screw until it just barely bottoms out (don't force it; you can damage the gear. ) Then, still holding the jamnut, back off the allen screw about 1/3 to 1/2 turn, then tighten the jamnut while holding the allen screw still with the allen wrench. There has to be just a minute amount of "slop" to allow the steering gear to auto-center while driving, but it should take a lot of the play out.

 

[dillrepair]

ok, so here's a stumper for you. ever since i bought truck last year it has always pulled a little to the right. noticed after a year its starting to eat the outside of the front passenger tire. looked at tie rods/track bar, every thing looks ok. figured it must be a ball joint on that side. went to repair place i thought i trusted. they told me yes its ball joints on that side and said $600 to replace them (only on that side). i said no, decided to try the job myself. all equipment ready and front axle is up on stands decide to test ball joints to make sure something is actually wrong. no noticeable play on either side in ball joints. very minimal play in front driver side tie rod end... steering gear and track bar are clearly original and truck is 2002 with 125k so i say to myself: self, may as well leave the ball joints along and replace steering gear with HD steering, and track bar. now i've done that. still pulls right, maybe not as much but still does at times. what next? is this just the worn tires and i need to rotate or replace? or is there more. i have steering stabilizer crossmember. maybe i should reset my toe different'y... i got it to within a 32nd of 0 degrees using some angle bars clamped to rotors and leveled first. i suppose i should try to tighten my steering box too according to the above directions.

 

[JR]

I would have it aligned... . you can get it close on your own but you will never get it where it needs to be.
How did you check your ball joints? Are they original? If they are then I would be surprised if they are as tight as they need to be.

 

[dillrepair]

prybar under the tire when jacked up... no play evident to the naked eye on either tire after trying it several times ... had a friend lift the bar while i watched. i feel the same way about the ball joints... i know for sure one was replaced by PO. not sure about the other.

 

[Jeeper401]

I agree with having it computer-aligned. Also, if you're still running on the worn tire, that could be causing a pull now. Rotate those bad boys! Also, I remember something a long while back about Dodge putting in wheel spacers to fix pull issues... . I don't remember the full story though.

 

[MLee]

A few years ago I bought new tires from a dealer. I had the same thing happen your having now with the pullimg slightly to one side. Took it back to the dealer and they switched side for side front tires, and that took care of the pulling. No alignment was needed. Now if the tire still pulled they would have replaced the tire(s), and for piece of mind, just have it replaced any way. Some times its the way the tire is made, and needs replacing to eliminate it altogether. Shoulder wear is alignment, find a good shop that knows there stuff. And double check the specks that have been listed here on this site.

Rotate your tires.

 

[dillrepair]

yeah i'm gonna try rotating the fronts side to side. alignment i will probably pay to do if/when i get new tires, but it will get done. i'm just trying to take as much of the front end issues on myself first before dropping serious coin at a shop. i really want to do ball joints myself now even if they don't really need it badly but we just bought a house and have to tow a 20' rental trailer 250 miles back and forth to move our stuff so as long as it drives straight/safe, i'll just have to wait on ball joints/tires/alignment until after these shenanigans are done.