steering response count

[Tom C]

I know that the steering wandering has been talked about alot. but I would like to get a count on how many have had a steering RESPONSE problem. say when the truck starts to wander right, you turn the wheel left an inch with no response then you turn it left another inch, it stops wandering right but does not start to turn left, then you turn it to to the left another inch and weeeeee your going left. now you have to do the same but to the right...

anybody else with this problem??

also does anyone else have a growling sound from the power steering at 1000 to 1200 rmp while turning?

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2001. 5 2500 4X4, QC, Auto, 3. 54 LSD, SLT, SWB, Trailer, Camper & Snow plow Packages, White, 35k# Cody Hitch, 20' Gooseneck Lowboy flat-bed Trailer.

[This message has been edited by Tom C (edited 03-18-2001). ]

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Tom, I know other guys are having problems with the steering box's in that year Ram. Check the archives for more info.

Originally posted by Tom C:
when the truck starts to wander right, you turn the wheel left an inch with no response then you turn it left another inch, it stops wandering right but does not start to turn left, then you turn it to to the left another inch and weeeeee your going left. now you have to do the same but to the right...

I had the same EXACT steering problem you described above. The problem was the truck was out of alignment and had a bad tire(s)? on the steering axle.

Can you swap your tires/wheels easily at home? When I put the front's on the rear and put the rear's on the front, the truck tracked straight and didn't have that dead spot or wander in the steeering. Totally eliminated it. I couldn't believe it was the tire or tires causing it. You could try just switching the right and left front tire/wheels to opposite sides to see if it helps.

These were not OEM tires. I know it may sound wacky , but the tires were 90% of the problem. I think this problem is called radial run-out. You can try this to eliminate the tires causing problems.

Then after that I visited 10 alignment shops to find someone who could align the truck right. I finally met an older guy that worked in a Medium & Heavy truck alignment shop. Right off he said: "Dodge Factory alignment specs are crap". He set up the front end up the way he knows best. Now I can take my hands off the steering wheel at 70mph, and the truck tracks as str8 as an arrow. #ad


Hope this helps #ad




[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 03-18-2001). ]

 

[buttugly]

TOMC..... My truck does the same as you described. . did it with original tires and does it with after market tires. I tightened thrust bearing in steering box. . it helped but not much. Personly I think the steering boxes used are too sloppy! Go drive a Dakota and you will see what I mean. Doesn't bother me too much. . I grew up driving 60's vehicals. But for the money we spend they ought to handle better.

[This message has been edited by buttugly (edited 03-18-2001). ]

 

[buttugly]

FORGOT MY SIG!

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2001 2500quad4X4SBETC auto KN Black Leather loaded Boost and EGT gauges EDGE EZ

 

[Fireman Dave]

Yep, had the same exact thing.

1. Alignment
2. Track Bar
3. Steering Box

These are the three things that were replaced with mine. #3 was the final answer, although #2 was also needed. I had less than 4000 miles on mine when I got the new box. They know they're bad, they just like to eliminate the less expensive options first.

The ironic thing is that these new boxes that are bad were a new and improved - and more expensive - box that was supposed to be the answer to this ongoing problem for Dodge. Unfortunately, it's clear that these weren't the answer. The Delphi AF box (that I got as a replacement)seems to be the solution - at least it has been with many TDR members.

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2001 2500; SLT; 4x4; QC; LWB; Auto; 3. 54 LS; 265s; Camper; Tow; Sliding Rear Window; Travel Convenience Group; Cab Clearance Lamps; Forest Green

 

[Tom C]

Hemi,Buttugly & fireman,

I will try the tire thing. My trailer has the same size wheels. the tires are a little taller but they are the same I had on my last dodge. seemed to work good on it.

Ive been to the dealer three time for steering. 1st trip they adjusted box (no improvement), 2nd trip they replaced delphi box with a saginaw (much easier to turn), 3rd trip they aligned it(tow only).
I got a copy of the align print out and they did not even check the caster. the tow was way out and the first two trips to the dealer, they said they had checked the alignment. tring to get the dealers to do the full job is like tring to get your dog to do the dishes.

thanks for the input.

I think this sympton is a steering response thing. not a wandering problem. Its just trying to get the steering to respond when it does wander due to road conditions.

lets keep the count going

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Tom,

Try switching the tires/Wheels around. You will be able to rule them out. A bum tire(s) can be a tough diagnosis.

With a new steering chuck & Alignment, you are running out of things that could cause sloopy & vague steering. ?? #ad


Truck is too new to have worn out steering linkage, tie rod ends, Pitman arm ect.

Keep us posted!

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Gregg, I was hoping an AGR steering chuck would be the answer. Looks like its not.

Thanks for the info in the other AGR thread.

[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 03-19-2001). ]

 

[TREEMAN]

Just got my 01 back from the dealer today after having the track bar,tie rod end & steering stabilizer replaced,way better that took all the slop out. The truck has 19500 mls on it.

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2001,2500 q-cab,auto 4x4,4. 10 anti-slip rearend. All options except leather seats. Line-x bed & tool box. Slide-in -removable rack,BFG 295,s ,Fender flares. Westin nerf bars,billet grill & fog inserts. Rancho,9000,s,Isspro gauges,
1994 2500,4X4,12 valve,bone stock for now

 

[ramman]

Same deal here,and the tires can make the problem or make it worse,I found this out the hard way with a new set.

 

[Gregg Mig]

I have been having the same problem since my truck was new. I know what the problem is but cant find a supplier that makes a tight tolorance steering box

 

[Gregg Mig]

Hemi, last summer I test drove a new F250 4x4 PSD,and what a difference in steering,the truck drove like a dream. When I brought the truck home I did a carefull inspection on the steering components,and found to my amazement absolutly no play at all in the steering box,pitman arm,and tierods. The tierods looked much beefer than the dodges. Im wondering if the steering box can be modified to fit on the dodge, along with the tierods. This is absolutly where all of the steering problems are occuring in our trucks.

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Gregg Mig

 

[Tom C]

Gregg, I went one day and test drove some ford psd and thought the same about how responsive the steering was. If only our Dodge had that kind of steering.

I did notice one thing though with the ford. that was is had ALOT of sway when you swerve. I did not like that at all. my dodge has none.

on my tire testing... I have not tried it yet. i'm looking for some free time but will post the results after I do.