Odd steering feel....

[RSchwarzli]

You know the feeling when you get into a truck rut in the road and the truck kinda walks up one side of the rut, then slides back down, goes up the other side..... almost like a controlled wander as you never really go off course?



Having a feeling similar to that.



It seems to be whent he truck is cold, and normally happens within the first few minutes of driving. I turn a corner, and it is almost like the truck wants to keep going the arc of the turn even after I correct the steering. Other times nothing.



When driving strait, it almost wanders even though the wheel did not move. It is all most like I steer a little to the left, then to the right, then back to the left. Kinda like I have a strong side wind. Most times it is fine though.



I wondered if maybe it is a tie rod end going. Checked. Seems to be OK. Did not look crappy. Then I wondered if it is cold fluid and maybe the steering pump is getting old. Yes, I do have fluid and no the steering has never been bad.



Thoughts?? This has been going on for a few weeks now and have never had this in the 9 years I have had the truck.



Robert

 

[HHhuntitall]

I've had this happen quite a bit, actually. Mine is usually the upper kingpins. Once it was the pitman arm, which was loose on the box shaft!!! The bottom bushing was out of the steering box, as well, which only made it worse. May have been the deciding factor in making the arm come loose... ... . That bushing has been the cause of many of hours of under truck pulling and scratching my head. I always look past it at the tie rods... ... Several people have rebuild kits available, and there are some foreign made boxes that are cheap compared to American rebuilds. It doesn't take much slack in the bottom due to the leverage. They are loose, probably 1/8th inch play side to side, but don't leak much. I don't understand how they can be so loose, but not leak like a sieve.....



I might add that the slack is not easily visible without a load against the arm. On jackstands, I never could see it on my '90... . only when I went to replace it as a last ditch effort did I find it..... so now I always check 'em first thing.

 

[cerberusiam]

Broken belt in a tire? Did you try swapping tires around to see if it made a difference?

 

[MMeier]

Possible crack starting on the plate the steering box mounts to ?

 

[DVolk]

Other than the steering gear box plate as MMeier mentioned .

What steering shaft do you have ? those stock dodge ones with the rubber joint are junk they do pretty much what you want try a borgenson or a flammeing river shaft if you dont have one possibly a jeep yj shaft may fit as well .

 

[RSchwarzli]

HH - Valid thought. Will check that.



Sir Mod - Brand new tires as of 10K ago...



MM - That I never even thought of. Valid point.



DV - Borgeson 2 joint.

 

[cerberusiam]

Tires - take nothing for granted no matter the mileage.



Steering box mount sounds more plausible though, they suck.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Shoot, I didn't even think of the frame crack or steering shaft, as I'm always checking for it or other damage!!! I know it's a given, but forget to tell others to look for it! Good call!

 

[DVolk]

Dodge connection has the steering box /frame stiifner for our trucks that was found in some early 80s trucks .



I renember when i was a kid a 78 dodge magnum i had had a steering box problem you goosed the gas pedle and the steering will would move on its own . short storey the box had internal leaks swaped it out with a new box and it worked great .

 

[NIsaacs]

Since it seems to be only when the system is cold, I would agree that it is hydraulic related, either the pump or the steering box. When the fluid is cold, it might keep the relief valve open more. If you havent already, maybe change the fluid to some good Mopar synthetic power steering fluid.



Nick

 

[RSchwarzli]

I have to agree the hydraulics seem more likely *** I do not remember ever having it do it when the motor is warm.



If it matters, the steering gear box is leaking at the steering shaft. Not a fast leak but is leaking. Wonder if that would change anything?

 

[RSchwarzli]

Well update. That feeling was a tie rod end giving up. Thought I would post it here in the event someone comes across this thread one day while searching for answers.