2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Tight Steering after Loose Steering Fix

[AdamFarnham]

I have a 2001 4x4 with DT Trackbar and DSS and it's on its 2nd steering gearbox. I recently had the front end checked, and the right side tie rod replaced (2nd time in 5000 miles), and new shocks. Steering was really sloppy before the trackbar and 2nd box. Both these improved things, then the shocks were swapped out, which made a huge difference.



Having developed a 'steering paranoia', I checked the system when the steering wheel play seemed to be getting worse, and found that there was some movement in the pitman shaft. So, a DSS was added, which further tightened things.



Oddly, now the truck seems to wander all over the road like a pinball. It isn't dramatic, but it does not seem to go in a straight line when the road camber changes, and this requires constant small corrections. The alignment was checked, and found to be OK. I'm wondering if the issue is the preload on the steering gear. I'm reluctant to mess with it unless there is a good reason to. The steering is tight, it just doesn't seem to have much 'feel' to it. Almost like driving by wire without feedback.



Any suggestions?



I feel like I've lost my mind to paranoia over the steering on this machine. If anyone can get ahold of the design team for this system, I'd like a few minutes alone with 'em!

 

[Dave M]

... ... ... . If anyone can get ahold of the design team for this system, I'd like a few minutes alone with 'em!

:-laf :-laf I'll be right beside you... . Along with a whole lot other TDR'ers here I bet !



Dave

 

[McLaughlin]

I'm dealing with a similar problem. Odd thing is that before the last alignment(but after installing the 3rd gen trackbar and DSS) the steering was tight but afterwards I noticed the wander. I'm beginning to believe the guy that did the last alignment changed the toe in which has increased the wander. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar enough with the effects of toe in to know if the alignment can be done correctly and actually induce/increase wander while still meeting the factory standards.

 

[WDixon27]

a small toe adjustment would probably settle it down, i work on cars and not trucks but the same should apply, too much toe out and the vehicle can't decide which wheel to follow so it follows whichever one has better traction and this changes a lot as the road ripples, too much toe in and it just splits the difference between where the fronts are pointing while going straight, both wheels are applying opposite forces to each other but once you turn enough to get them pointing in the same general direction, you release the force that they have been applying to one another and it gets dumped into the turn then the vehicle darts in the direction of the turn. then theres caster and camber and all of that good stuff that needs to match the setting on the other side of the truck or it can add it's own little fun to the handling

 

[ceastmen]

Caster

Do a search on Thuren Track bar. Don Thuren explains how to increase the caster which helped eliminate my steering wander.

Hope this helps

Chuck E.

 

[Carolina Cummins1]

I read a post about increasing the caster on the bottom adjustment. I did it myself and adjusted it so it pushed the axle towards the front. It stopped the wandering by 80%!!!



That simple adjustment gave me the biggest return. I hope this helps

 

[WDixon27]

caster is what helps it self center instead of just head for the nearest ditch when you let go of the wheel

I read a post about increasing the caster on the bottom adjustment. I did it myself and adjusted it so it pushed the axle towards the front. It stopped the wandering by 80%!!!



That simple adjustment gave me the biggest return. I hope this helps

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Turn your steering wheel from stop to stop or lock to lock as some say and count the turns. If you need to turn it 4 and 1/4 turns to get to the other stop it is the wrong box if you don't want wandering. Mine turned 4 and 1/4 and wandered. I ordered a rebuilt box from Power Steering Services in Springfield Missouri and requested a box that turned only 3 turns stop to stop. "Chip" (417 864 6676) will probably suggest the small pistons which is what I got and you will not be dissappionted. In fact you will be amazed at the difference, I sure was. I can let go the steering wheel on the interstate and go a quarter mile or more without wander. I had tried everything else, rear stabilizer bar, steering stabilizer (the frame rail to frame rail bar with a bearing on the pitman shaft) and a shock asorber type stabilizer on the tie rod. While these things helped, they did not cure the problem as does the right ratio box. Phone me at 321 373 5756 anytime or e-mail me, -- email address removed --, if you wish to discuss this further, Jim PS all the boxes look the same on the outside so no doubt the wrong box is taken out and a wrong box put back, in some cases. They are GM boxes which Dodge chose to use and no doubt Dodge does not know there is a difference in them.