Steering wander - 2500 2wd - help

[Tom W]

80K miles and steering is getting squirelly - what you would expect with toe-in out of spec, feels like about 2" play in steering wheel at speed. Had alignment checked, everything OK, toe-in at low end of spec, had it set at mid spec. Made no difference, I suspect steering gear box. I'll take it to dealer when I get home from MM. Any suggestions or experience? I know the 4X4s have problems but don't know if the same exists on 2wd. Thanks for ant help. Tom

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Tom W in Austin Tx 98 24v 2500 Quadcab, auto, 3. 54, lsd, Rhino, white/driftwood, Banks Stinger Plus, 275 injectors, Manix grill, nerf bars , DTT's TC, valvebody, cooler, Smartbox, Mag-hytec trans & diff, Pac brake, Bilsteins.

[This message has been edited by Tom W (edited 05-18-2001). ]

[This message has been edited by Tom W (edited 05-18-2001). ]

 

[Ramboy00]

Tom,
I had steering wander on mine when it was new but over time, it corrected itself. Now, with 48,000 on it, it drives normally. I hope this is not something I am going to be faced with again down the road. Just take your casino winnings and buy a new truck. #ad

Phil

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'99 D3500, auto. ,2WD,3. 55 LSD, all options, Banks Power Pack w/K&N filter,DTT TC & VB, Mag-Hytec pan, '99 40ft. Alfa Gold Triple-slide 5'er
"Ignore your rights and they'll go away. "

 

[Alan Reagan]

If your steering is squirelly and you want to do something before you get home, you may try setting the steering gear preload. That will more than likely take out some of your play. Slide the shaft off the rear of the gear box. With a hammer and punch remove the slotted ring. With a small punch check the tightness of the plate exposed when you removed the slotted lock ring. It will probably be finger tight or less. Snug it up with the punch and hammer. Mark the plate and gearbox, then back off about 3 mm. Reinstall the lock ring.
Don't forget to put the steering shaft back on.

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2001 HO 6 spd 2500, 4. 10 LSD, Towing Package, Electric Brakes, SPA EGT/Boost Gauges, Fog Lights, Real Backup Lights, Molded Running Boards, Lucerix X Mount Heated/Power Mirrors

[This message has been edited by Alan Reagan (edited 05-18-2001). ]

 

[Tom W]

Hey Phil, there's a blackjack dealer here who is just giving away money. I haven't won enough for a new truck but I've more than covered my trip expenses, a Roadmaster suspension kit and new dual muffler set up from DD. I'm going back in a little while and see if I can get enough to buy some of those fancy mirrows. What a life #ad
#ad
#ad

Tom
Allen, thanks for the tip, I might try that when I get home but it's too hot here for that, besides I don't have time due to previous paragraph.
Tom------------------
Tom W in Austin Tx 98 24v 2500 Quadcab, auto, 3. 54, lsd, Rhino, white/driftwood, Banks Stinger Plus, 275 injectors, Manix grill, nerf bars , DTT's TC, valvebody, cooler, Smartbox, Mag-hytec trans & diff, Pac brake, Bilsteins.

[This message has been edited by Tom W (edited 05-18-2001). ]

[This message has been edited by Tom W (edited 05-18-2001). ]

 

[VicR]

My 99 has had this problem since new. It feels like 1-2 inchs of play in the steering wheel on the highway and has a tendency to need more corrections to the right. Mine had got much worse in the last 5k.

My old dealer has aligned it three times and finally just said: they are all like that/its bad tires/ bad karma/ etc.

Trying a new dealer Monday - I'll let you know what happens.

-Vic
99 2WD QC SB 6speed.

 

[Rich]

set pree-load on gear box but check the through bolt at gear box that the steering shaft is connected to found mine loose where had slop and wandered tighten bolt on coupler and a- ok

 

[Dennis Garrett]

I've had to take up the play in the preload twice in 125k, steers like new. Here's the TSB on how to. http://www.ecpe.vt.edu/~dfritz/technical/TSB97/19-10-97/19_10_97.htm