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

[FireHouseBBQ]

Hello Just bought this 2001 QC 2500 4x4 and the steering wheel is all over the place. Pulls to the right and feels like I driving on of the bumber cars hard keep it in a straight line. Can someone tell me what I might get or do to fix this problem.



Thanks,

Craig

 

[jrandol]

Mine was bad like you mentioned. I put the DSS Steering kit on it and it drives as good as my wifes explorer now. did the install with a friend in about 2 hours, it was really simple. Double check this link but I believe they can be found at



www.solidsteel.ca

 

[AKAMAC]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=88407

You can start here then search for "lukes link". There are hours of reading for your problem.

Good luck, and Merry Christmas.

Mike

 

[FireHouseBBQ]

I was wondering if I changed the steering shock if this might help the problem.

 

[jrandol]

Originally posted by FireHouseBBQ

I was wondering if I changed the steering shock if this might help the problem.

I dont think that is your problem. How many miles on the truck? Do some reading, seems like the 2 things mickey mouse on the steering for these is fixed by the DT Trackbar (permanent fix) or use the Lukes Link (temporary fix) and than supporting the steering box. Have you checked to see if your Track Bar is still in good shape?

 

[FireHouseBBQ]

That is the thing the Truck has 37,000 miles on it and it looks brand new. The tires that are on it are the Michelans LTX A/S 265/70 16 and they look almost warn out. Hard to believe I had the same set of tire on my other truck and got 70,000 out of them. I just wanted to fix this steering problem. Love the new truck but hate the way it wanders.



Craig

 

[jrandol]

I think 1st thing I would do is take it to a really reputable alignment shop and get a laser alignment done. At 37k miles I would be suprised if the stabilizer shock is bad, you may have some alignment issues that should be dealt with first.

 

[FireHouseBBQ]

I had that done when I bought it last week and could not tell a difference.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I was still under the 3/36 warranty when the dealer replaced all 4 ball joint, a tie rod end and the infamous track-bar, so my point is, something could definantely be worn out. The ball joints made the biggest difference on mine but she's getting wandery again. I would check the track bar and if it's questionable either do Luk's links or a DT track bar, I would also put in a Darins steering stabilizer. That's the next projects on my truck.

 

[jtwcummins]

Track Bars on these 4x4s are junk. If you fix that most, if not all the wandering should stop. The brace for the steering output shaft talked about is a must also, keeps things tight in steering box

 

[Fireman Dave]

Craig,



Don't let the mileage fool you. I had to have both the track bar and steering box replaced before my truck hit 4,000 miles.



Dave

 

[jrandol]

Yep, I had my stock track bar replaced somewhere around 8k if I remember right. I think the original was junk when I drove it off the lot with 13 miles on it.

 

[RT66DOC]

Mine is all over the road, too. I've had a Rancho dual shock steering stabilizer setup for 4-5 years - think it probably dampens out some of the slop but not much. It sure looks cool, I've been going to get a DSS for months but now I'm wondering if Darrin's steering stabilizer will fit with the Rancho stuff on there. Anybody got any guesses on that?

 

[jtwcummins]

Shouldn't be an issue with Darin's stabilizer, it mounts under the sway bar. 4 bolts that hold the sway bar are removed and the brace slides in underneath. Use new bolts to mount and replace the nut on steering box connecting to pitman arm and on goes bearing. I used Luke's Link on the track bar. When done it felt stange going down the road and not constantly correcting to keep in lane. I can take hands off wheel and truck stays straight.



I didn't realize how tiring it was to keep on top of steering to keep going straight.

 

[RT66DOC]

Thanks Jay

 

[FireHouseBBQ]

OK what is better the Darin's or the Luke's. Where can I buy these items. I am all new to all this I see all kinds of codes and abbreviations so I am sure I will have all kinds of questions. This is my first Diesel. I love the power of it. But might want alittle more down the road.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

OK here ya go, Luke's links are fixes for the joints like the end of the stock track bar or tie rod ends. The DT track bar is a complete replacement for the stock track bar of better quality and the DSS minimizes frame flex and sector shaft play. So in other words the DSS and the Lukes are two entirely different things. Hope this helps.



Luke's link



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DT Profab



picture from dodgeram. info



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Darrins steering stabilizer



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[jjohn]

TTT

.

 

[CFAR]

There seems to be different fixes depending on the truck in question.



I guess the best solution is to get some help from a friend and try to determine the problem, before throwing parts at it, like me.

I still have to replace the ball joints.



If you put a tag along behind mine it can get scary.

 

[Tomscreek]

My 01 steers like crap too. 57000 miles. I bought it new and the miles are VERY easy ones. Dealer says track bar is fine, had them replace drag link end or tie rod end (can't remember) at 35,000. No help. Going to try Darin's stabilizer this spring for sure.