Steering wheel correction

[KeggerTx]

Hello all. I performed a search but did not find the information I was looking for so I figured I'd ask everyone for advice.

I just installed the 2008-12 steering linkage on my 2002 2500 - Man what a difference!

Here is my problem: When adjusting the drag link to center the steering wheel, I have run out of adjustment. The drag link ends are meeting in the center of the adjustment sleeve and I have a little ways to go still to get the steering wheel straight.

Can I simply adjust the sleeve in the opposite direction until it is straight, or do I have another issue I need to look at?

Adjusting the wheel to the right was the shortest distance to travel, but....ran out of adjustment. Can I take the wheel to the left and go all the way around to center, or will the steering box not like that?

Is it possible the steering box doesn't like where it's at now, and WANTS me to go the opposite direction?

Truck drives so much better now. No wandering, no pulling right or left. Just steering wheel at about 10-11 o'clock and can't go any more to straighten it up.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

2002 Ram 2500 24V Auto.

 

[Ozymandias]

I'd say that your draglink end at the gear end doesn't fit the pitman arm. There is more then one version out there for the different steering gears and pitmans in different lengths.

Where did you buy your setup, what's the brand?

Do you know that your steering gear is really in the centered position or is it just the steering wheel that is centered?
From factory they can not be mismatched, but through the years many things possible to happen.

 

[KeggerTx]

It’s a moog kit that matches the P/N listed on Genos Garage. They were out so I ordered elsewhere.

The truck has 50k miles on it and I believe it to be completely stock.

when I bought it, the steering wheel was right about where it is now but the steering was horrible. Pulled right, wandered etc.

i do not know if the steering box is at center or not. Just going by the steering wheel alignment.

the kit did come with another pitman arm with less drop to it but going by Geno’s notes it says on the 2002 to use the same pitman arm.

I’ll verify the pant number to the notes on Geno’s and make sure someone didn’t swap it out Before I bought the truck

it steers much better now and no pull. Might be a little bit toed in - I’ll have to get alignment next week. For now the high tech cookie sheet and string alignment is good enough to get to a true alignment shop.

 

[Ozymandias]

Double check everything.
For alignment, go with the Thuren specs, means Zero toe in/out, as close as possible to neutral.
Facory spec are not applicable for this steering linkage and bad anyways.
Get a read out from the alignment shop for sure. I f they wont do Thuren specs move on to the next one, don't waste your money.

 

[NIsaacs]

Read this link.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...tenance-on-the-01.259915/page-17#post-2687340

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...tenance-on-the-01.259915/page-16#post-2687017

 

[KeggerTx]

I thought about that too. Grinding about 1/2” or so off of the tie rod at the pitman would probably do the trick.

Thank you for the links. Good info and points me in the right direction!

 

[KeggerTx]

Wanted to follow up and thank everyone for their help. Got underneath and double checked everything, toe adjustment sleeve was loose….so that coulda been bad….

I then took about an inch off of one of the tie rod ends for the drag link, slapped it back together and now have a straight steering wheel.

Thanks again to you all for the help.

Kraig