2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering slop.

[CWinslow]

I have this steering slop that is unbelievable. my question is what causes this in the dodges it seems like pretty much every dodge i have drove including gasers have the same problem how can it be cured.

 

[CMckee]

If your front end components are in good shape then a DSS will help take a lot of the slop out of the steering. Here's a link http://www.solidsteel.ca/

 

[Signal73]

I fixed my slop with a new 03 trackbar setup, and by adjusting the allen head screw with the locknut on top of the steering box.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Fixed mine with a set of Quad 4X4 balljoints , all new MOOG problem solver series rod ends , new drag link , steering stabilizer , DSS , Dt trackbar ... and a set of new rubber ..... whew I am done . . for at least 16 or 17 or even 20 miles :-laf

 

[McLaughlin]

Fixed my with a third gen trackbar, DSS, tie rod ends, balls joints, and a steering stabilizer, surprizingly it wasn't to bad to start with (4 or 5 in of play, its less then 1 now). It just never ends .

 

[GMincher]

Well..... Ball joints, Solid Steels 3rd gen track bar kit, DSS, PSC steering box, set of Bilstein shocks and a Borgeson steering shaft. By damn it's tight! Seems kinda rediculous that this much stuff should need replacing. But it is tight!

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Fixed mine with a set of Quad 4X4 balljoints , all new MOOG problem solver series rod ends , new drag link , steering stabilizer , DSS , Dt trackbar ... and a set of new rubber ..... whew I am done . . for at least 16 or 17 or even 20 miles :-laf

LOL Oh yeah I forgot the Bilstein 5100 Series shocks AND a soon to be here Borgeson shaft and fuzzy steeringwheel cover taboot

 

[DMcPherson]

I have all new bearings and ball joints and it still has horible slop. does anyone make any components with spherical bearings instead of ball joints, like the track bar or anything? I would much rather have solid parts than stock style or standard ball and socket.

 

[CWinslow]

thanks for the input i will be making some mods on my new truck shortly.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I have all new bearings and ball joints and it still has horible slop. does anyone make any components with spherical bearings instead of ball joints, like the track bar or anything? I would much rather have solid parts than stock style or standard ball and socket.

Take a look @



Quad4x4.com I am running their joints now and they seem to be pretty stout. Alot heavier than stock and are serviceable (Greasable)



And no I have nothing to do with their company . . just a guy in search of what works

 

[vssman]

The biggest improvement in eliminating wander on my truck was to tighten the sector shaft adjustment nut on the box. You have to remove the I-shaft from the box, loosen/remove the lock nut and tighen the adjuster a bit. I didn't have a spanner wrench and used 2 thin long punches instead.

 

[2-ND TIME]

Steering slop

When they built my truck they built it with way tooooo much toe- in. ( From the factory yet ) Took it in twice and (Nothing found at this time so had to pay for this) They rotated the tires although twice. So took it in again and told them to put it on the wheel alignment machine. It was far from the spec's. So in the ??? 13,000 km's it ruined all the steering componants. Changing the ball joints at just out of warranty time ( of coarse) only made the steering osocilations silghtly less. When I had enough money ( $ 5000. 00 cured the faulty factory sh*%@)( Y workmanship ) I had all the rest of the steering changed and that ended the carppppy steering problems.



Do get the greaseable ones. Use the synthetic grease for the joints.

 

[Regcabguy]

I don't know what the sum total of improvements D/C did in the 3rd gens. but they steer pretty close to my '05 Honda Pilot and that's pretty darn good. Coming from a '86 TTB F250 Ford 4x4 I felt I'd died and gone to heaven when I purchased my '99 CTD. After driving my buddy's '05 though I feel its back to the stone age. Aside from steering and brakes the 99 looks better to me and it is paid for!

 

[rmcnamee]

I replaced the ball joints, steering box and did the 3rd Gen track bar and it still steers crappy. Although, I just learned the dealer gave me the wrong box (4 1/4 turns), so I'll have to swap it for the right one (3 turns) when I get a minute. The other think I noticed with my truck is when going down the road, when you hit a bump, it feels like the truck is riding on a bowl of Jello. I eventually plan on fabbing boxed control arms with poly bushings, which will hopefully enhance the 3rd Gen track bar. As for the new trucks, they drive much better than the 2nd Gens for a number of different reasons. These being a better steering box, boxed control arms, better track bar design and larger more rigid frame.

 

[amnewsom]

wander, that's what my truck does, play isnt bad I replaced all the steering stuff to the T-style parts. That did wonders, but it just likes to take up all lanes of traffic if you arent paying attention.

 

[SMorneau]

Even with all the fixes my truck will wander if I run the front tire pressure too high. I think many people run them too high. Set the pressure according to the weight vs. pressure charts for your tire size.

 

[RDelissen]

my steering has been remarkably tight from the get go, but I still installed the DSS and a while later replaced the OEM gear box with a PSC. And that altogether made the steering even tighter than before