Sloppy steering

[Red_Rattler]

I noticed my steering box is not to crisp or responcive at times, and sometimes it pulls to the left, then others to the right. Is my box shot or is this normal? Do I have the wander #ad
"heaven forbidding" Thanks for the help!!!

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1999 3500 Flame Red Sport 5 speed, K&N, silencer ring MIA, Stickers removed, BIG CHROME CUMMINS POWER cab plate on the front fender, 4inch exhaust, 5 inch chrome tip, cowl inducton hood... stock for now, but more to come

 

[Alan Reagan]

You may need to adjust the preload on the steering box. That will take out alot of the sloppy feel. You have to remove the steering shaft from the rear of the gear box, take off the big lockring with a hammer and punch. Then you will find a round cap with two holes (made for a spanner wrench). Mine was loose so I snugged it up using the circular punch by hand according to the service manual procedure. Then I marked it. I believe the manual says to back off 5mm but I only backed off 3 mm. If preload is the problem that will take care of it. Look on Fritz's webpage for detailed adjustment procedures. It's about a 20 minute job to do this.

 

[John_P]

Red Rattler:

I just had my local Dodge dealership go
"entirely" through my front end/suspension.
I have 120,000 miles on mine now and it was
beginning to feel like yours. I replaced
EVERYTHING including: the track bar, upper/
lower control arms, steering shaft, "kicker"
shock, all shocks, and ball joints. Most all
of the parts I bought aftermarket (NAPA etc)
and I can tell you the front end has NEVER
felt better! I doubt yours needs all this
but I would definitely recommend at least
a new track bar from NAPA. My stock one was
worn BAD as well as the control arms. BTW,
my steering box checked out O. K. as
amazing as that may seem.

Anyway take care and good luck on
"troubleshooting" your problem.

------
John_P

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Red '96 4x4 2500 Auto 3. 54, TST #5, Major Pump Mods(By "Scheid Diesel") 370 Diamond B Injectors, Gov. Spring kit, AFC Spring kit, Banks Exhaust, Prime Loc, Cummins Chrome Kit,Psychotty Air Filter, Pro-Torque Converter, BD Valve Body, BD Pressure Loc, Isspro Gauges, Sendel 16" Alum Wheels w/ 33" BFGs

 

[Guest00]

Have you crawled underneath the truck to check the lateral thrust of the pitman shaft ?? there should be no side to side movement of the pitman shaft, it should just rotate and not move to the side then start rotating. How much play do you have in the steering wheel ??? there should be 1/2" to none.

 

[swampcreek]

The nut on the bottom of the gear box holding the pitman arm may be loose. takes about a minute to check and tighten. I think it takes a 1 1/4 wrench

1995 2500 4x4 205,000 miles tst upgrade to engine and auto transmission. straigt pipe, kn filter

 

[jsimpson]

I had to replace my Pittman arm because the ball joint end was worn.