2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering wonder

[elamb]

I have developed a some slop in my steering with only 23,000mi. It seems like its getting worse. Is there anything I can do to fix it or just put it in the dealers lap. I did a search but I didn't find anything that really helped clear things up. I would appreciate any info or links!



Thanks,

Eric

 

[jkern]

three thing u can do...

i have had the same problems and so have a lot of other people on the TDR. here is what i would do if it were mine. take it to the dealer and get a new trac bar under warrenty. it will probably wear out in another 23k miles or less, but at least u didn't have to pay for it. then you will probably have to take it to an alignment shop because the yo-yo's at the dealer will screw up the alignment when they put on the new trac bar. have the alignment tech check for side to side play in the output shaft on the steering box. if it is there, go back to the dealer again and request a new steering box under warrenty. then after you have the new steering box and trac bar and a good alignment, get one of Darin's Steering Satbilizers (search for the link) and install it. it will definetly help the new parts last a lot longer than the original did. i know this seems like a lot to do, but before i'd shell $$$$ i would let Chrysler fix it for free once.

 

[CFAR]

I talked to one steering box rebuilder, he said that some of the dodge boxes were way too loose from the factory.



Was the steering tight when the truck was new?

 

[elamb]

The steering was tight when I bought it, because I remember coming down the road having to get used to it. The truck that I got rid of, you had to chase it all over the place and I can see that with 200,000mi, but with 23,000mi give me a break. I believe I will see what the dealer will do before I shell out any money.



Eric

 

[MMangan]

My 01 did the same thing with 45,000 miles. I just took it to a trusted alignment shop and they put a Moog drag link bar that has a lifetime warranty. It was $200, but I can have it replaced as many times as needed for free. It greatly helped the wondering problem. They said they've seen this bar go bad at 6,000 miles on the diesel trucks because of the heavy weight. The tie rod end that connects to the steering gear was also bad. Fixing those two things greatly improved the truck. They told me to keep the air up in the front tires to at least 50 because of the larger size tire I have (285/75/16) and the heavy engine. This is my first diesel and I had them too low. (40) They said that also contributed to the wondering.

After all that, it drives a lot better, but I would like the steering to be tighter. I might take it back and have them adjust the gear box.

 

[elamb]

I made an appointment with the dealer for next Friday. I guess I'll see what they tell me, then go from there.



Thanks,

Eric

 

[KevinO]

Who makes a good steering box replacement? Mine is leaking pretty bad bent the shaft 4wheeling. Dealer quoted me $780. 00

 

[CFAR]

http://www.pscpowersteer.com

~$185+shipping

Try this guy,



or





http://www.agrperformance.com

~$379 + shipping



If you talk to agr they will tell you that the dodges will eventually eat even their boxes. They claim the cummins weight is the problem, they never get chevy boxes back for warrantee.