2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering question

[MParrott]

I am a pretty new member here, but I have been reading these forums for a while. My steering seems to need alot of input just to get any response from the truck. I tried adjusting the steering box but that did not help much. I have read about the DSS stabilizer and the track bar conversion and most people seem real happy with it. The problems that I am having with my steering seem to be the same as the problems others have had, and have been fixed by adding the DSS kit. My question is which mod should I try first the DSS stabilizer or the Track bar? Does either one of the Solid Steel kits do more for the steering than the other?

 

[Signal73]

From the posts recently here on the subject, It seems it varies from truck to truck with what causes the wandering. With some its the steering box, some the tracbar, others the tie rod ends, some ball joints, some a combination of all of the above. Instead of throwing parts at it try to diagnose each angle and see where the slop is. Tracbar can be checked by getting under the truck and have someone with the truck running turn the wheel back and forth to see if there is any endplay at the joints. steeringbox, check the shaft from the cab to the box with the same method then see if the input to the box from the steering shaft is equal to the output on the pitman shaft. HTH. .

 

[JSellers]

Steering response - lots of things to check

MParrott,



Basically, if I understand all the posts I've read, plus results I have seen with the mods I've tried, there are a number of things to check before you might find the problem(s).



I have both the DSS steering shaft stabilizer and the track bar bracket. The DSS helped bit, but my truck still exhibited some wandering. The DSS helped some, but didn't completely clear up the problem. I went for the track bar bracket, with the 3rd generation track bar, but that didn't seem to make much difference on my truck. I didn't mind the cost for the track bar upgrade, since it will keep me from worrying about a loose ball joint on the frame end of the original.



I also replaced ball joints (they were worn pretty badly), and I'm going to replace the tie rod ends as well. Future plans will get me a new intermediate shaft, if the looseness and wandering is still present. Ultimately, I'll look at a new steering box, if all else doesn't get me a tight-steering front end. Problems in the steering gear can also be partially alleviated with the preload adjustment and over-center adjustment, assuming you don't have worn bearings on the sector shaft. If they're not worn, the DSS should help prevent wear in the steering gearbox.



You should look at all these components, checking for wear on any. Hopefully, you'll find culprits among some of them which may help with replacements. From my research, all of these can contribute to wandering or poor steering response in the front end of the heavy Dodge trucks. I'm still in the middle of my attempts, but hopefully I'll get there someday. It seems to be a prevalent complaint about these trucks on the TDR.



Good luck with your search,

John

 

[AKAMAC]

If you want to try an easy way to fix wander add more caster.

Just adjust the excentrics on the lower trailing arms. Loosen the nut that is to the outboard side of arm (not too loose), and adjust the cams so the lower arm "pushes" the axle forward. I had good results moving mine from about 11 o'clock to 2 o'clock after my d25 spring install. I ended up with 4° caster.

Be sure to move both the same amount and mark the starting position of the excentric so you have a reference point. This should help alot. Mike

 

[Allnew2Me]

This is my record of trying to get my steering right. When

I bought my truck I noticed that the steering was not tight, it wandered and required a lot of input. I took it to a front end shop and they found that my track bar and tie rod ends were very loose. I fixed the track bar with the lindstad kit and that took about 80% of the play out. The next thing I did just this last weekend was to remove the drag link and tie rods and grind off the crimp holding the ball and cup inside the end. Then I knocked out the ball stud and cup, tossed that little spiral spring that had gone flat and replaced it with a flat washer and a 3/4" lock washer over the stud and nylon cup. I drilled and tapped the original metal cover for a zerk and then I clamped this sandwich together with the tie rod puller and adjusted it until it was very firm but still movable and then welded the disc back on. I have driven it only a few hundred miles so far but it seems to have worked well and I can grease them also. Long story short (too late for that now!) now my steering is totally tight, no wander. It does pull to the right but it did that before so I'm getting it aligned next week with an eye towards more caster. I figured that since the tie rods were throw away parts anyway I had nothing to lose by a little experimentation.

 

[MParrott]

Thanks for the help guys. I had a buddy of mine turn the wheel while I watched the steering work. It looks like all the ball joints have play in them, but not enough to cause that much play in the steering. Do I need new ball joints all the way around? How much will this cost me? I am new to these trucks but the ball joint replacement looks straight forward, and I'm not afraid to dive in and give it a try. Thanks again for the reply's

 

[TMitch]

Are you looking at the ball joints or the tie rod ends? To check the ball joints you need to jack the truck up and try to move the tires in the left to right horizontal plane. The tie rod ends are the components located on the ends of all the stuff that makes your truck steer.

Look at this link: http://www.lukeslink.com/trackbar.html and scroll down to the bottom of the page and there is a picture of all the steering components. I'm not suggesting that you use this product (my disclaimer), it's just a good diagram of the Dodge steering components to make sure we are all talking about the same thing here.

You also need to check the trackbar for play. Look in the diagram to find out what we're talking about.

If it's not this stuff and it's actually the ball joints then a much longer explanation of the re/re procedure will be required.

Hope this helps.

 

[MParrott]

HAHA,



Stupid me, I was looking at the tie rod ends and calling them ball joints. All of the rod ends seem to have some play but not a whole lot. Just wondering what my options are and how much will it cost me? I will be doing the repair myself so I just need the price on parts. Thanks

 

[RDelissen]

try rockauto.com to get a ball park figure on price for the components needed



(and you get a 5% discount if you mention TURBODIESEL at check out)



As for my steering:

it was still pretty tight, but after the DSS and recently a new steering box from PSC (the old one was leaking pretty bad) it's even tighter than before (never had any wandering before or after the adjustments though)



HTH

 

[BTighe]

would changing out the tie-rod ends for the lukes links be a good way to fix the steering. i have a psc gear but my steering is BAD.

 

[TMitch]

BTighe - The Luke's Links are adjustable and rebuildable. I keep one on the shelf just in case it's a long weekend or the only parts store up here doesn't have the the part I need (usually the case). I just changed my driver's side tie rod end and it was cheaper to buy a real tie rod end. I haven't priced the rest of them so I don't know which way would be cheaper?

MParrot - When you try and move them by hand can you feel play in them? They do roll around a bit normally. You also need to check the track bar for play. I would fix the trackbar first if it's bad and then see how it drives before I changed out all the steering components. It might also be worth a trip to a local garage for an estimate? and get them to explain which components are bad and get them to show you. Don't forget to check your ball joints as they can contribute to loose steering.

 

[MParrott]

I have another question. Does the steering on the right side of the truck work like a slave off the left side. In other words, does the left side dictate what the right side does. Just wondering if maybe the right side steering has more play than the left side does and that makes the truck wander and need more steering input?



Thanks again guys... ... I'm learning alot!!!!!!!!!!