Stiff Steering????

[JeepRig]

Hi, I just joined the TDR after reading for many months. I recently purchased a 2003. 5 (I think it's . 5). The steering is very stiff to me. It does not return to center by itself. I have to physically turn the wheel back to center after making a turn. I have never driven another 2500, so I don't know if this is how they are or what. I have a new body style 2002 1500 4x4 quad also, and it turns much easier.

Any ideas to a problem or is this how they are.

I have a 2003. 5 quad 2500 4x4. It has 60,000 miles on it. I also just put on new tires like it came with new, hoping that was the problem.



Any help would be great.



Nick

 

[JeepRig]

Any ideas?? Anyone??... ... . Bueller????

 

[mberry]

All I can tell you is mine is the same way. Could be weight related due to the weight of the engine. Check your tire air pressure?

 

[JeepRig]

I did. I just had a new set of BF Goodrich tires put on and the air is 60psi front and 80 psi rear, as it states on the door jam sticker.

Thanks.

 

[JFaughn]

The comin problum here is the knuckle bearings , get the front end off the ground and grab the ft. wheels by hand and turn them if its stiff then you may have seized bearings.

 

[JeepRig]

Thanks for the replies.

I will try that and let you know.

If it is the knuckle bearings: Are they easy to replace, or would you leave that to the dealer? I am pretty handy and can repair most things on my Jeeps and truck.

 

[JFaughn]

Mainly some special tools[ a wheel puller to get the axial out of the way, then a ball joint press to get the bearings out and in] and a little feness to avoid problums, not having done it before, it may take 2 to 4 hrs. with the tools , you may find a place to rent them.

 

[tae73]

Did you check your fluid??? My 03 had a leaky powerstearing pump, they had to replace the pump, luckly I found it when I was changing oil. This was with 2,000 miles left on warrenty. Mine kind of had the same problems wouldnt want to turn.

 

[JThiessen]

I just had mine in for the same problem. It was a bad gear in the steering box. I was 2K over warranty, but DC kicked in and paid all but 200. I read about another guy that got it for 100. My steering pump also went out at the same time, so I had that replaced also.

 

[JeepRig]

Update

I just got my truck back from dealership. It turned out to be the power steering gear box. It now drives like new. I should have done it myself, but I have a trip coming up and just did not have a spare day to work on it. It ended up costing $494. 00 to replace it. Well worth it to have good steering back.

Thanks Guys. Oo.

 

[DPKetchum]

80 psi in rear tires is ONLY if FULLY LOADED. Otherwise it will ride like a buckboard and wear the center of the tires real fast. You can take them down to HALF that if not FULLY loaded.