Steering...educate me.

[steved]

I've got 245k on my 2500 at this point... obviously things aren't new and tight anymore. Been dealing with a slight wander, only a couple components left to replace... and others that don't seem like a problem.



I've replaced ball joints (Moog Non-Adjustables), replaced the steering gear box with a RedHead, replaced the stabilizer (Monroe, probably too light duty), replaced the track-bar bushings with polyurethanes (Luke's links), and installed a Defiant steering brace. This was all around 40k miles ago. It has also been aligned once in its lifetime, and wasn't even that bad from the factory. I have newer shocks on it as well. The ball joints have zero play in them and are smooth throughout their range of motion.



I'm sure the intermediate steering shaft is worn, so I just pulled the trigger on a Borgeson shaft. I also ordered new end links because mine have been worn out for a while. The rest of the wear items have been replaced... the ball joints have zero play in them and are smooth throughout their range of motion.



What's left? Tie rod ends and the other steering linkage joints appear tight (they don't flex or exhibit any indications of movement)... that's about all that's left at this point?? Thoughts?

 

[JApol]

I would suggest the 08 steering upgrade. Here is my install. As you can see the tires are tied together preventing a lot of the slop.

I highly suggest this upgrade.

 

[JFought]

yea the 08 update help alot.
even my wife noticed. and she only drive every few months.

 

[SierraRam]

I agree with the 08 upgrade. much better design.

 

[opjohnny]

rubber bushing in the control arms?

John

 

[Prairie Dog]

rubber bushing in the control arms?



John

Thats a good call too. Geno's has a nice kit with urethane parts.

 

[steved]

Hmmm, I didn't see the control arm bushings?

 

[opjohnny]

Not much left you have not replaced. I had no idea GENO's had them. Maybe it's an online product not in the print catalog.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Not much left you have not replaced. I had no idea GENO's had them. Maybe it's an online product not in the print catalog.

No, it's just a case of brain flatulence on my part. I was thinking of the link bar or whatever it's called.

Sorry,

Scotty

 

[timelessconstructionllc]

Where can one get the 08 steering linkage upgrade and how hard is it to install? What all does it consist of?

 

[SierraRam]

Here is a good link that describes it in detail.



Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Steering Upgrade - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine

 

[steved]

Thanks for the replies. I had been mulling over the 08 upgrade... figured I'd replace what I know to be worn first. Guess it will be this summer's project.



Hopefully my order from Geno's comes through, give me something constructive to do this weekend! I'm thinking a lot of my problem right now is the end links...

 

[SierraRam]

Here are a few things I did to my steering and it really tightened things up.



Steering Box Support

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Some of the 08 upgrade and the Carli/Bilstein high mount steering stabilizer.

#ad




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#ad

 

[steved]

I've got the steering brace (Defiant), and a RedHead box (upgrade over OE)...



The only thing that hasn't been changed to date it the steering shaft, the end links, and the steering linkages... I have a Borgeson shaft and the Maxx Links sitting here, they arrived today. Should have them installed early next week... I think those two things are the source of the majority of my wander right now.

 

[Shadrach]

If I do the 08 upgrade with pitman arm and Dynatrac BJs do I really ned the DSS? Shadrach

 

[TFucili]

I wouldn't rule out those Moog ball joints. I put them in mine and am very disappointed in the amount of wander. I have to continuously correct to stay between the lines. Just looking down to change frequencies on the two-way is risking ending up in the bar ditch.

 

[SierraRam]

If you are running a drop Pittman arm I highly recomend it, but if stock the 08 should lessen the forces that used to be transfered to the sector shaft.

 

[steved]

For those of you that installed the Borgeson shaft on a non-Borgeson box, how difficult was the install? I read in the instructions about filing a flat spot on the splines of the box?

 

[EDankievitch]

We've found that the Mog Ball joints might be ok for the Gasser trucks but when under the load of the Diesel engine they bind. They will feel nice and smooth whith the truck jacked off the ground but under load NG. I'd replace the ball joints with a better quality unit from Dynatraxx or Carli. There is a huge diff.

 

[steved]

The ball joints are fine... they have been installed for a while, and I get no binding.

Perhaps you got a bad set?? The Cummins adds only a few hundred pounds over a gasser... its NOT significant.