Steering Wander?? Fix???

[Jacobs]

I have a 2001. 5 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 139" wheelbase with a 4:10 and auto. The truck is equipped with an SLT package, trailer tow group, snowplow group, camper special group, and Michelin LT265/75R16E OWL On/Off road tires.
When I pull my 7000#, 32' tandem axle travel trailer all goes well until I reach 50 mph. Above that speed the truck will wander left or right with no apparent pattern. At 70 mph it gets real scary. Has anyone else experienced this?

Have checked the following:
Trailer tongue weight 900#
Tongue of trailer ¾” lower than the rear of the trailer
Tire pressure Rear 80lbs Front 60lbs
Trailer tire pressure 65lbs
Hooked trailer to my 95 2500 and it pulls at 70 + with no problems

Suggestions on what to check please.

Thanks

 

[sam peterson]

try letting the pressure in the truck tires down to around 60# and see if it makes any difference

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

*I* would check front tires for uneven wear, and have the front end alignment checked...

OH, I see you have 4-wheel drive - wonder if it's completely disengaged out on the freeway at speed?

------------------
http://community. webshots.com/user/davison71 Early '91 250, 727 AT, 307 rear... Banks Stinger exhaust, intercooler... US Gear OD... Tweaked pump, upgraded radiator... MORE than a match for every new PS Ford encountered so far...

"Dura" WHAT? NOW I know where all those recycled beer cans go...

[This message has been edited by Gary - KJ6Q (edited 04-10-2001). ]

 

[Jacobs]

The problem was worse at 40 than it is at 80.

Also, the truck drives well with no trailer.

Thanks

Bruce

 

[Jacobs]

Gary

No apparent tire wear, truck has 7200 miles.
Thanks for alignment suggestion.

Bruce

 

[Sandmann]

Do you have enough tension on the equalizer bars? This will help transfer tongue weight off the rear of your truck, and put it to the front where it would be better.
Also, your sway bar should be snugged up real tight. I had similar issues and these two corrections helped.

Ron

 

[Tom C]

Jacobs, I run 53 PSI in the front and 60 in the rear with a 7500# trailer. seems to do fine. although my truck has a response problem. it is real slow to respond. Ive tried different tire pressure with no help. I'm going to get a good alignment. Ive been to the dealer 3 times and just can't seem to get them to do a FULL alignment. at least the 3rd trip they finally adjusted the toe correctly #ad


you might also check your alignment. mine also get squirly at higher speeds. let me know what you find fixes your problem.

Tom

------------------
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.
*************************
1975 Toyota Landcruiser, ARB Air lockers Front & rear, 400 Small Block, SM420 4spd, Stock LC transfer case with 2 or 4 high and 2 or 4 wheel drive Low gears, 15. 5x36" Radial swamper on 12" rims, Custom front & rear bumpers, Roll Cage, Warn 8274 8000# winch, 2. 5" spring lift, 2" body lift. Premier on-board power welder, on-board air, 4-wheel power disk breaks, power steering, Lot of fun.

[This message has been edited by Tom C (edited 04-11-2001). ]

 

[Guest00]

Repeat after me!! The dealers alignment rack is not my friend. Again, The dealers alignment rack is not my friend.

Now go find a good independant alignment shop.

Also check the pitman shaft play ( thrust horizontal and vertical )



[This message has been edited by JNutter (edited 04-11-2001). ]

 

[Dave B]

I[m with Sandmann. It sounds like the equalizer bars.

 

[FDziurda]

Jacobs,
Mine will do the same thing if I don't put enough tension on the equalizer bars. If you are sure that is NOT your problem, you might want to do a search of the archives and get the latest recommended alignment settings before going to a good independant shop and getting the front end checked. I also change the setting on my rear Rancho 9000s to "4" before towing.
FDz

------------------
Frank Dziurda - K7SFN
Carson City, Nevada
'99. 5 2500 4X4 6-Speed Quad Cab LWB 3. 54 LSD

 

[Jacobs]

Thanks for the replies.

The problem is not as pronounced when I increase the weight transfer load. However, that just covers up the problem. Using my sway bars would help also.

The truck should pull the load without bars and not become unstable. I can pull the trailer with my 95 2500 with no problems. I do not need bars or sway control.

I noticed that the truck is starting to wander without the trailer. Talked with the dealer about this on Monday. We will see what happens.

Keep suggestions coming.

Thanks

Bruce

 

[BK]

The problem with not having the weight dist. bars set correctly is that the trailer's tongue weight could be pressing down A LOT on your rear, forcing the front end up, removing needed contact pressure from the front tires which causes the friction needed to enable proper steering.
The dodges have some wondering is another problem. In part to crappy track bar bushings and design and all that weight of our beloved cummins.
Also if your tire pressure is too high in the front tires, you will get a feeling of wondering , as will happen with any truck or car. (the tongue weight of the trailer pushing down on the rear / pulling the front end up worsens the effect of having too much air in the front tires. . ) Believe me I'm not trying to defend DC and the wondering problems. . but don't over look other issues that will make the problem much much worse.


[This message has been edited by bobk (edited 04-18-2001). ]

 

[Bob Stephens]

jacobs, if your tongue weight isn't at least 12-15% of your trailer weight the rig will definitely sway. I pulled a 4000lb 26' travel trailer across country in 1991. The first 100 miles it swayed something awful. I moved my toolbox from behind the axle to in front of the axle and the whole setup smoothed right out.

------------------
2001. 5 White 3500 Quad Cab 4x4 Sport SLT+, ETH/DEE, 4. 10 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Line-X, Tekonshsa Sentinel Brake Controller, ICOM 706MkIIG HF Radio, Guages, 15. 5 Pullrite Hitch, DEE-ZEE FX Running Boards, and BD Exhaust Brake. 2001 Alpenlite 35RK fiver arrives next week! Ham Call: AF9W/7

 

[Jacobs]

bobk

Thanks for your suggestions. I am not laying all the blame at DC's feet on this. The tire pressure issue is a good one and I will check it out.

Thanks again

Bruce

 

[HC]

There's another good thread on this going on over in one of the 24V forums - recommend you check it out. I got a new steering box at 35,500 and plan to try the Rancho steering stabilizer next.
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb//Forum17/HTML/002039.html

 

[Jacobs]

Thanks to all who made suggestions on how to fix the steering wander problem.

I pulled the trailer over 800 miles this past weekend and all is well!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We started with a box adjustment. That did not work. The steering box, ball joints and steering stabilizer have been replaced and the alignment done. The truck handles as it is susposed to.

Thanks again.

 

[Tom C]

Jacobs, did you try the alignment first or last. I have had the box adjusted with no help. then replaced the box. turns easier but still wanders. this friday I'm getting a real alignment done (not by the dealer, been there and done that. they only can adjust the toe it seems #ad
).

which item out of what you have had done made the most difference in the steering (ei: box, alignment, tire pressure)????

Tom C

------------------
2001. 5 2500 4X4, QC, Auto, 3. 54 LSD, SLT, SWB, DD1's, EZ, DTT VB & TC, Westech Boost/EGT gage, Trailer, Camper & Snow plow Packages, White, 35k# Cody Hitch, 20' Gooseneck Lowboy flat-bed Trailer.
*************************
1975 Toyota Landcruiser, ARB Air lockers Front & rear, 400 Small Block, quadrajet 4 barrel, SM420 4spd, Stock LC transfer case with 2 or 4 high and 2 or 4 wheel drive Low gears, 15. 5x36" Radial swamper on 12" rims, Custom front & rear bumpers, Roll Cage, RCI racing seats, Warn 8274 8000# winch, 2. 5" spring lift, 2" body lift. Premier on-board power welder, on-board air, 4-wheel power disk breaks, power steering, Lot of fun.

 

[Jacobs]

Can't tell what item did the trick. They did the box adjustment, then did the box replace, stabilizer replace, ball joint replace and front end alignment while they had the truck.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Bruce

 

[Tom C]

Welp, I got an alignment. . (not from the dealer) and guess what... it was not correct. The dealer said they had checked it three times before. ye right *%#@@$$!!!! #ad


went to a local shop and they checked the dampner, tie rod ends, ball joints, and steering box for correct operation and tension. thence they checked the alignment. the toe and caster both got adjusted to match the spec's TDR members have been using. the final bill was $38. 00 #ad


The steering problem I had was poor response. it would slowly move to the right and I would have to turn the wheel 1. 5 to 3" to the left to get the truck to correct. then once it was back on line I would have to not just return the wheel to center but turn the wheel past center to the right to stop it from now going left. with the alignment complete I now do not have to double correct. ye ha I can steer!!

well I thought I would let you all know to get the aligment adjustment done first to try and fix any steering problems you have BEFORE going to the dealer. It may save you a few frustrating trips/days. .

good luck

[This message has been edited by Tom C (edited 05-29-2001). ]