Love truck, hate the steering

[Tinman]

I know, there are a million threads on 3rd gen steering. I can't find the answer I'm looking for or my particular problem. Over the years, I have replaced nearly the entire steering apparatus in the 06. This includes:
Borgeson shaft
08 steering box (after a Red Head)
08 Linkage
Thuren stablizer - at 90-100 psi
Dynatrac hubs
Carli ball joints
Carli tracbar
PSC brace
I have been able to fix a lot of the various issues with these mods but I still have "loose steering" especially at center. I also get a cluck if I turn the wheel fast in either direction. All the fittings are torqued to spec (or more). When I get underneath I can grab the steering shaft and get some play in the box with the truck running or off. The 08 steering box I put on several years ago really didn't improve anything. However, the steering wheel effort is quiet good so I have not replaced the pump. Before I by a pump, since that the only thing I haven't replaced, I thought I'd get some advice. I was wondering if the pump doesn't "flow" enough to keep it tight at center and if it could be cavitating causing my clucking sound.

 

[BILTIT]

Have you checked this?

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/254378-Steering-play-in-wheel-Simple-fix

 

[AEdelheit]

What are the alignment specs? That can play a big part is steering feel. I would also try to find the source of the clunk, If you are still running 14mm bolts on the track bar they may have ob-longed the mounting holes.

 

[cerberusiam]

If that box feels loose at center or you have play, it is either not adjusted correctly or it is a bad box. There have been some that were just bad or misadjusted form the start. Start by trying to adjust the box and see if anything helps. Given what you have done the whole steering should be tight and no clunks sans an oblong hole in the track bar mount.

If you mean the truck just feels loose when centered that is normal for the t-type steering, it really is not a good system and off center going either direction is the worst part. If you have a leveling kit of some kind it gets much worse, bigger tires that much more worse. The crappy design cause way too much stress at the outer drag link end, that is taken up by rotation in the tie rod to start the steering process. Moving off center or changing directions just magnifies the problem. The only fix I have found is a cross over steering assembly to get rid of the bad geometry. Even that has some drawbacks but it is magnitudes better than the t-type solution. The old y-type, even with its drawbacks, was still a better feeling tighter system when almost worn out.

If your brakes are working good and the steering is not hard the pump is flowing enough to make things work, it is something else with the clunk.

 

[Regcabguy]

A few months ago I had the pleasure to drive a 3rd gen with the original Y-type steering and stock Lt 265/70/17 tires.
That truck steered darn near as well our Honda Pilot.
I noticed increased bump steer with the '08.5 "upgrade". The Synergy steering I now have is a beefy,tight product but my on center tracking could sure use some improvement.

 

[Tinman]

I don't remember the exact number on the alignment, but I was at or near zero toe ( I thought it might improve mileage and tire wear). I went to a new shop in town that has Hunter's latest and greater alignment machine and ask for 1/8 in toe in. That helped the wandering quiet a bit, but it is still loose steering wise. I do have Thuren's upgraded trade bar bushing tightened to 200lb it think (what ever spec is). To me it feel like the box is loose and you are telling me it could be. I saw in the FSM there is a procedure to adjust. It looks complicated but I only glanced at it. I asked the dealer and they brushed it off. I'm going to look into adjustment first. The think that gets me is that my 01 steering is completely stock except to Luke's Links X4 and it is rock solid and tight as it was new.

 

[Freebore]

I must have lucked out as I swapped out the old original y type linkage with the t-type (08.5 version) along with the newer oem big steering gear and a Bilstein stabilizer and it has worked very well for me. I added a Solid Steel stabilizer brace as well which took some modifying as the larger gear installed on my 07 was slightly different than a pure 07 or a pure 09 would use. Just had to reposition the bearing plate (cut - recenter - reweld). I did the swap just because I didn't care for the original design and the new design has some beef. I don't have any wandering problems and have about 40k on it since the swap.

 

[Tinman]

Much to my surprise the track bar frame mount is toast. It wasn't that long ago I replaced the bushing but is was all loose. Frame hole is worn, bolt worn and the bushing was less than tight. I ordered Thuren's 16mm upgrade kit so we'll see if that will help. I'm sure it will, question is how much.

 

[algonaman]

I think for me, these helped, keep the track bar mount hole from wallowing out. http://sourceautomotive.biz/trackbarmountbuildupplatesfor03andnewer.aspx

 

[seafish]

I think for me, these helped, keep the track bar mount hole from wallowing out. http://sourceautomotive.biz/trackbarmountbuildupplatesfor03andnewer.aspx

Do those washers get welded onto the track bar bracket or are they just expensive washers and a bolt??

 

[Tinman]

I got Thuren's 16mm bolt and bushing kit for both the frame and axle ends installed. WOW, what a difference. Whole new truck. Pretty much eliminated my problems. The steering box isn't quite as tight as I wish it was, but not so much so I'm willing to go to the trouble to try to adjust it. I think a little more toe will help. Like Thuren says on his web page, if you have steering problems, the track bar is where to start. I just never really thought about the mounts as a potential problems. Thuren's new track bar design is stiffer than his old design. It would probably help further, but this pretty good now. Thanks for the advise.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I have always been totally happy with the way my truck steers.

 

[Regcabguy]

Prairie Dog,are you running stock tires?

 

[Prairie Dog]

Prairie Dog,are you running stock tires?

I'm running 285/70/17's General Grabber ATII (which I really like but haven't towed with yet) and had 285/75/17's TOYO AT's in the past - all LR E. Not terribly big by modern standards but I tow and dont want the performance hit of big tires. My suspension is stock except for BD steering brace, Bilstiens and poly track bar bushings. So no lift or any other radical changes.

Scott