2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission New front end parts but poor steering

[Lordsman]

Hi all,

Just put in all brand new front end parts on my '99: Brakes, rotors, hubs/bearings, all tie rod ends, track bar, sway bar links, ball joints, steering damper, and alignment. Did not change the steering box but I do have an aftermarket steering box stabilizer(DSS). All parts are NAPA premium, lifetime warranty, except for brake pads.

Now that I drive it it's hard to steer it straight. Seems like there's too much play in the steering wheel vs what translates down to the ground.

Whats up?? Steering box? Bad alignment?

Had 197,000 miles on the original OEM parts, including track bar.

I thought it would feel like a new truck up front when I got it back.

 

[Axtell3]

View attachment 81408somewhere around here are the instructions to tighten up the gear box. ah found them...

 

[bry1216]

Maybe it is loose joint in the linkage above the steering box.

 

[Lordsman]

Axtell3, Thanks for those instructions! I did the Over The Center adjustment, and it cleaned up at least 80% of the slop. I wanted to go a little more but I already gave it a solid 1/2 turn in. Wheel returns back to center out of turns pretty good so not too tight. Dont have the tools mentioned to do the Bearing Preload Adjustment. I wonder if doing that would help it the rest of the way?

 

[fox]

Alignment does the trick.

But not everyone gives it the settings it needs.



Extra caster and camber needs to be closer L+R than stock specs. Then 1/4 inch tow in.

mine drove like a 2WD after I Fixed it. Dealer said it the way they all drove and it couldn't be better. They were wrong. I could take my hands off the wheel for 30 seconds on level ground without a cross wind. Stock was WORK to keep it between the solid lines.

 

[Lordsman]

I believe you are correct. I think there was a write up in one of the TDR issues that gave the proper alignment setpoints. How did they know where to set yours at? If I can find the settings I'll take it back and have it redone.

 

[Axtell3]

TDR 53 page 140. Also TDR 74 page 12-22

 

[TPringle]

You will also find an excellent write up about the steering in the TDR issue 74, with alignment info on page 23. I did the 3rd gen T" upgrade on mine