2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission My 2001 Steering is all over the place

[CORed]

One other thing just replaced on my 01 with only 35,000 miles on it was the intermediate steering shaft. I had the same problem described and a new tracbar was put in at 28,000 miles. Then at 35,000 I was not happy with the steering again so under warranty, they looked everything over and tracbar, ball joints, steering stabilizer, etc all were "within spec"... but the intermediate shaft was NOT. I already have the DSS. I would suggest trying the intermediate steering shaft. I was pleasantly surprised how much better it feels... not GREAT mind you, but I don't believe these trucks really feel GREAT... just better than before.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I just found a bad wheel bearing on the right front of my truck. I replaced it and the front end seems alot better. If your wheel bearings aren't bad I don't suggest doing this for the heck of it, list price of one wheel bearing is $327. dodgeparts.com has them for $255.

 

[ProspectorTim]

FireHouseBBQ,

I would recommend that your first step (3-parts) would be to replace the tires, install the DSS, *and* get an alignment.



Here's why:

When the tires are worn like that, they will not handle right, no matter what you do to the truck.

The DSS will stabilize the front end (wonder why they call a steering stabilizer, eh ). Even if all the parts are new and "in spec", the truck will never drive right if the frame flexes everytime the steering box has any pressure on it. Do this BEFORE you add any other parts.

With new tires and a stabilized steering box installed, get the alignment - then you should be off to a good start. You might not need anything else.



The next step would to replace the track bar or any other steering components and/or use Lukes Links *if* you still have a problem and find that you need them.



Good Luck!

 

[SnoKing]

ProspectorTim

Good for you. You caught the tire issue, and I agree with your approach.



Also start the engine and have someone turn the steering wheel slowly left to right in the range of the free play, then to slight resistance and finally to really turning the wheels a bit, as you look at the steering shaft in the engine compartment, then under the truck to determine where "things" are loose and worn out. Darins SS will fix the sector shaft of the steering box. That is the shaft that sticks out of the bottom of the steering box, if it is moving back and forth, not just around and around. There can be other problems within the steering box that it will not fix, and can sometimes to adjusted, or sometimes require a new steering box.



Make sure the parking brake is on and wheels are blocked, before getting under it when running if you wife is at the wheel, you never know how she feels about your purchase. SNOKING

 

[FireHouseBBQ]

Ok I will do this if I decied to keep this truck.





Craig

 

[DCTECH]

There are revised toe specs for your truck in TSB 02-02-02 issued July 2002. toe-in is to be set at . 2 degrees + or - . 1 degree. We also crank caster up to as high as possible and cured wandering.

 

[mpjmpj]

Front end fix

After 137,000 soft hi-way miles on my '01. 5, I am on my FOURTH steering box (now an AGR), THIRD trac bar (now a DT), SECOND intermediate steering shaft (stock), the DSS steering stabilizer bracket, ball joints both sides and several alignments, I finally think I found a fix.



I believe the key to the problems are inherent with the stock (Saginaw) box. They are CRAP. The last go-around with the box issue, I had an AGR variable (SB2) that got eaten up by the truck and replaced it with a stock Sag box. The truck drove worse than with the bad AGR box!



I paid to replace the box with another AGR. I am very much satisfied with the truck now after only 137,000 miles!



Here are my fixes and suggestions:

Box: AGR SB2 (the variable one);

Trac Bar: DT (adjustable and repairable);

Alignment: pull the caster all the way (5degr. )

Steering shaft: get the Borgesen shaft if replacement is necessary;

DSS: A NECESSITY



I hope people can save money and fix their problems by learning from my painful battle.