Attention: TDR Forum Junkies My '98 Dodge cummins, (24 valve) ,4X4, 5 spd, short bed , quad cab has steering problems:
- there are 3 to 5 inches of "play" in the steering wheel - going straight down the road I can move my hand on the wheel 3 to 5 inches left and right, and the truck does not move or change lanes.
- when I first noticed this, the dealer said it was normal. After repeated visits, the dealer replaced the steering box. No difference.
- About two to three months ago I put new tires on and had an alignment at Les Schwabs (larger tire retailer on west coast). The alignment guy pointed out that my track bar needed replacement. I asked about the warranty and cost. He said the warranty was only for 12 months and Dodge had this problem with their track bars. In fact it is so common that it stocks the track bar. He also said that it knows of a couple Dodge owners who have replaced their track bars several times. They usually get just over 12 to 18 months on a replacement track bar. I did purchase a new track bar at the NAPA parts store as they told me they had a lifetime guarantee on all parts. This track bar has been installed for about 4,000 miles. At first the steering was like it was when I purchased the truck new. Today it is back to "normal" - 3 to 5 inches of "play".
- As a side note, I did replace the steering shaft with a Borgeson - made no difference.
Any ideas?
- there are 3 to 5 inches of "play" in the steering wheel - going straight down the road I can move my hand on the wheel 3 to 5 inches left and right, and the truck does not move or change lanes.
- when I first noticed this, the dealer said it was normal. After repeated visits, the dealer replaced the steering box. No difference.
- About two to three months ago I put new tires on and had an alignment at Les Schwabs (larger tire retailer on west coast). The alignment guy pointed out that my track bar needed replacement. I asked about the warranty and cost. He said the warranty was only for 12 months and Dodge had this problem with their track bars. In fact it is so common that it stocks the track bar. He also said that it knows of a couple Dodge owners who have replaced their track bars several times. They usually get just over 12 to 18 months on a replacement track bar. I did purchase a new track bar at the NAPA parts store as they told me they had a lifetime guarantee on all parts. This track bar has been installed for about 4,000 miles. At first the steering was like it was when I purchased the truck new. Today it is back to "normal" - 3 to 5 inches of "play".
- As a side note, I did replace the steering shaft with a Borgeson - made no difference.
Any ideas?
