Steering gear question.

[Tryingit]

Since day one my 2010 has a bad wander problem. When I installed the steering brace it was better. But still constantly correcting the steering wheel. Today I removed the tire rod (inner) to the pitman arm. This was after I had my son move the wheel back and forth. I saw some extra movement in that joint. Once the tie rod was removed I have side to side movement by tugging on the pitman arm. This movement is indepentent of the steering shaft. Is this movement normal? I can see the bearing move also in the steering brace. If this is not normal I'll take a video and take it to the dealer. Thank you for any input.

 

[crabjoe]

I had the same in my '04, but I never had a problem with it wandering. Have you tried adding more positive caster? Positive caster should lead to more forward stability.

 

[Tryingit]

No I haven't, that I know of anyway. I had it aligned twice. First time at Sears, it was in spec. The second time was recently by the dealer after they replaced the "recalled" tie rod. I did find today that the passenger side tie rod has some movement and clunking. So I'll call the dealer Monday and have that looked at. I have it pretty much under control with aftermarket products. But maybe I'm just hyper sensitive. I really miss my 04. That was a great driving truck. It was tight and I didn't even know what wander was. When this truck was new I thought that my commuting highway always had a strong wind. Thank you.

 

[kkelley]

Our 2010 doesn't wander, so you most likeley have something wrong. Have you just tried puttin the front end up and trying to move the tires. Could ID a bad part. Or, could the tires you have just have more than usual squish allowing some wander?

 

[DonFitzwater]

Sounds like you may have discovered your problem. I walked into the garage and took a look at mine and it's nice and tight.

 

[Tryingit]

I did change out the entire tie rod setup. When I got my truck aligned I did notice that the right front caster before and actual is 3. 7. Spec calls for 4. 0-5. 0. The left is 4. 1. What exactly does this mean? besides of course one side is sligtly off. But the total cross caster is o. 4 which is in spec. I do not have any pulling issues. Sears (who did the alignment) said that as long as the total caster is whitin spec and I'm not having any pulling issues then it's good.

 

[Tryingit]

Otherwise the truck is very tight and seems to be good on the higway. I haven't spent much time driving it yet.

 

[Bob4x4]

Sears is incorrect if the spec is 4-5 you do not want it below 4. They are being lazy. Replace the end that has wear,get it aligned into spec

 

[Bob4x4]

Ps there will always be some play in the gear box or it would bind

 

[Tryingit]

Thank you bob. I was trying to figure out wander problem. The dealer is aware but didn't have a fix. They told me it's normal from what they can see. I'm not sure what the caster is and what parts might be worn? The ball joint? Sears said it's out but since the over all caster is whit in specs they won't adjust it. The total is 0. 5 according to their printout spec is less than -0. 5.