Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
... or at least i know what the problem is now!! took my truck to a local one man alignment shop that has a good word of mouth reputation for the usual steering wander/pulling problem that seems to plague just about everyone sooner or later. first i was impressed with the gentlemans welcome and the fact that he wanted to drive the truck for himself. then he check the air pressure in all four tires in order to get precise measurements. after that he put the truck on the machine, but with my big tires and wheels, it was at the limits of the machine. so instead of doing a halfa$$ed job with the machine working at its outer limits, he said that he couldn't do it and asked if i could be back in three hours with the stock tires and wheels... absoulutly!!! so on my return he again put it on the machine and started his magic. the alignment actually was right on the money, but the upper tie rod that goes from the pitman arm to the long lower tie rod need adjustment to straighten the steering wheel that my local 5 star dealer screwed up when installing a new tracbar. so where is my wander problem, and how does this long story benefit other CTD owners with porblems?... well, it seems on further inspection that the output shaft of the steering box has some side to side play in it, quite a bit actually, and more than enough to feel on the road. he showed me this and said it is a moderate amount and the best way to fix it is get a new steering box. so my thoughts are this... according to him many of these trucks, especially ones with larger than stock tires have this problem, but it goes un diagnosed because people think steering wander and alignment problems are generally from ball joints and tierods, etc. so check you steering box output shaft for side to side movement. and if ya need a great front end man look up Mike of Mike's wheel alignment in greensboro PA (southwestern PA). after the job was done, a very reasonable price was payed and a firm handshake was done
don't see that very often. if ya want his number, don't hesitate to PM or e-mail me. sorry for the length, but i thought it was a very good experience that needed shared.
-jeremy
PS he has adjustable ball joints in stock just in case.
don't see that very often. if ya want his number, don't hesitate to PM or e-mail me. sorry for the length, but i thought it was a very good experience that needed shared. -jeremy
PS he has adjustable ball joints in stock just in case.
