Steering problems

[bjarp]

I recently bought a 2005 swb srw 2500 4X4 with 79000 miles. When I bought the truck it had 305/70/17 tires on the factory 17 alloy wheels. The tires were badly worn and I thought they were to big so I put new 285/70/17 AT tires on. I told the shop to go ahead and do an alignment while they were putting on the new rubber. They said that the ball joints were pretty worn so I replaced all 4 ball joints also. After I got the truck back it felt like the steering was not right. You have to drive the truck now. It seems to wonder over the road and you are constantly having to correct the steering. It seems like it will start to go one direction and you have to direct it the other way and then it seems to go to far the other direction. I told the shop and they said that it might be the gear box and that a lot of Dodge trucks do that. I dont buy that because it drove fine before I took it in even with the bigger worn out tires. Does anyone have any ideas? Culd the tow not be set right? Open to suggestions.

bjarp 05 SRW 2500 4X4 stock for now,spray in liner,smarty jr. later

 

[Southbound]

bjarp-



First I would give your tires some time to break in as new tires typically wonder a bit until they get a little mileage on them. I would think 1000 miles might help as it did with my truck and new tires. I can tell that I just had my steering box replaced (60k) because the truck would "wonder" when on a long turn. Note: I have never ran anything bigger than stock tires. I can also tell you the BD Brace that is sold to help stabilize your steering box ..... will help big time!!! I have a couple of buddies install the brace as well... . and they too are amazed. The only other thing I would check is your steering shaft as they wear out fast!! There is aftermarket replacement for this shaft as well. Note: This is just my . 02 so take it for what its worth. Good luck!



Southbound

 

[rbattelle]

It's also possible the shop that did the alignment screwed it up. I think before you do anything you should do a quick search on "alignment" (titles only, 3rd gen forum only) and read over the larger threads that are shown (there are a total of 27 threads that result from the search).



Even if the shop put the alignment within Dodge specifications it might still not drive the way you like.



What brand and load rating are the tires you bought?



Ryan

 

[firemansdiesel]

If it just happen after the alignment. It most likey the tow is out of whack if it's doing that much wandering (if all your components are tight and not worn). Take it back and have them re-align the truck.



The new tire feeling sometimes is a squirmish type feel, but should not make you wander like you described it.

 

[Matt400]

Do you have the alignment measurements it was set to? If so I can help analyze.



Does the truck have the popular "level kit" where the front was raised 2"?

 

[bjarp]

The tires are Telstar AT tires. I have had this brand on my old truck and had good luck with them. They are load range D.

 

[bjarp]

I dont have the measurements it was set to but the shop said that it does have the 2" leveling kit

 

[TimothyLong]

I agree with letting the tires break in. When I get new tires, the steering feels a bit sloppy for about the first 1K miles or so and then settles down. Another thing you might want to check, and I know this is bleedin' obvious, is the air pressure in the tires. Picked up a nail in my right front after a visit to the dump a while back. Took it to the shop where I always go to get it fixed. They had a "rookie" tech, looked like he was fresh out of tech school, fix it. The next day when I drove it to work, I only live 0. 5 mile from my tire shop, the steering was sloppy and it wanted to wander. I checked the air pressure on the one that got patched and it only had 32 psi in it. I normally like to run about 60 psi (personal preference). So I inflated it to 60 psi and took it back for them to re-balance. All of the other techs that work there know how I like my truck set up (they're like my own personal pit crew), so we had a little humor at the rookie's expense that day.

 

[JimB1]

Some years back a tire shop put load range D's on my 3/4 ton when I thought I was getting load range E.



Drove & handled just like you're describing, right out of the tire shop and I was back within 15 minutes.



Right away discovered they put on D's, salesman had "tweaked" the deal a bit via specifing D's and I didn't catch it in the paperwork.



Had to pull out my credit card and start dialing the 800 number before I could really get his attention... ,



Soon after was on my way with exactly the tire I'd specified, no additional charges, the truck handled fine, wandering problem completely solved via putting on E's instead of D's.

 

[AlaskanCummins]

I had wandering and did this:



Carli suspension upper ball joints, Moog lowers and a Defiant Truck steering stabilizer (not the one on the tie rod, but bolts to the frame using the sway bar mounts).



Day and night difference. I do have stock tires inflated to 65psi. I just put some money down on a set of Nitto Terra-Grapplers 285/70/17's load range E. I hope they perform as good as I've read.



My God, tires are frigg'n expensive!!



Wayne

 

[rbattelle]

The tires are Telstar AT tires. I have had this brand on my old truck and had good luck with them. They are load range D.

It's possible the sidewall isn't stiff enough. Something to consider. Remember, that front end weighs over 4500 lb.



Ryan

 

[DFairhurst]

i replaced my ball joints about 5k ago@ 40k with the moogs upper an lower when i picked up the truck it drove just like yours. took it back about 5min later they tryd to get me to replace more stuff tie rods drag link... an so on any way theres a way to tq the ball joints in order if its not done in order it crushes something in side. found this out when i took my truck to another shop and payed for an alignment an it drove the same after took it back 2 the first shop and told them what i was told they changed the balljoints again an it drives great now. 05 4x4 on 35x12. 5x20 mickey thompson atz have a steering box brace got that after i broke a box at 15k. good luck.

 

[schv]

I'd look real close at the caster setting.

 

[SierraRam]

I'd look real close at the caster setting.

I agree it sounds like they put too much positive caster, this will cuse the truck to feel skittish! Should be set at -4. 5 degrees.

 

[AlaskanCummins]

Caster/camber... . that's interesting. As far as I know, the only alignment adjustment one can make on these front ends is toe in/out.



I replaced my ball joints and no where in the instructions was anything about caster/camber adjustment and there weren't any sleeves between the ball joints and axle knuckle (where ball joints go into). The ball joints fit inside with no room to spare.



Can anyone out there clue me in as to how the caster/camber can be adjusted?

 

[TimothyLong]

On my '03, the caster angle can be adjusted with the bolt that secures the upper connecting rod to the frame. That bolt has an eccentric lobe that will adjust the caster angle when it turned. Not sure about the camber adjustment.

 

[Matt400]

I dont have the measurements it was set to but the shop said that it does have the 2" leveling kit

Take a look here for info:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...-members/206552-lifted-4x4-trucks-caster.html

 

[AlaskanCummins]

Ahhhh ha moment!



I didn't know what those concentric lobes were for on the trailing arms. It makes sense now.



Thanks guys! Oo.



Wayne