2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Truck Steering is Horrible!!!

[jrandol]

I am stumped here. I thought I needed a new track bar but thats not it, its tight. Thought I needed new tie rods becuase they would twist, read on here twisting is ok, popping out isnt. No apparent problems with the steering box either.



This thing is almost gut wrenching to drive and seems to be getting worse as time goes by. I am having thoughts of trading it off for *gulp* an 04. What is the deal???



Jeff

 

[ProspectorTim]

Does it constantly pull one way or another, or does it just seem to wander either direction at any time?



Does it have the stock "Michelin" tires on it? (junk IMO!)

Do the symptoms change if you rotate the tires?



You could try adjusting the steering box, but so far for me, the best bang-for the buck for improving the steering (since I got rid of the Michelins) was the DSS (Darrin's Steering Stabilzer). THAT made the truck steer *better* than when new.

 

[jrandol]

Thanks for the info Tim, the truck just wanders all over the road..... and then times it pulls hard to the right. There is no rhyme or reason at all.

Still have stock Michelins and I rotate them religiously every 6k, they have lots of life left in them at 49k.



How do I adjust the steering box? What is this Darrins Stabilizer? I was about to buy a DT Track bar but mgoncalves was over this evening and said its just fine. (thanks for the help Matt!)



I am frustrated, I just want this truck to be fun to drive again, the power is a blast but its freaky to drive!



More info please!

 

[jrandol]

Ok I am on a mission to fix this thing. I went out and played around on it again. The Rod that goes from the steering box to the passengers front tire is really loose, I can twist it up and down on the joint several inches each way and the same for the rod that goes from the passengers wheel to the drivers wheel is almost as loose. Sorry for not knowing which is the pitarm and tie rods but fiquired this is easy english to talk with. Is this to much twisting???



Jeff

 

[dvaughan]

Truck Steering is Horrible

Jeff, have a look at this site. I installed one on my 01 and it did make a difference( I have stock Michelin) in the steering. I have about 45,000 miles on mine.

http://www.solidsteel.ca/products.htm

When you have the home page, click on Products/ then steering stabilizer for Dodge pickups. Very easy to install.

 

[jrandol]

D vaughan, thanks a bunch! I will order 1 tommorrow.



What does everyone think regarding the amount of play I have in the steering bars?



Jeff

 

[ProspectorTim]

Dvaughan beat me to finding the link for the steering stabilizer.



Here is a website devoted ENTIRELY to Dodge Pickup Steering Problems

 

[WadePatton]

Originally posted by jrandol



This thing is almost gut wrenching to drive and seems to be getting worse as time goes by. I am having thoughts of trading it off for *gulp* an 04. What is the deal???



Jeff

That's a bit much isn't it? Methinks you could get ball joints, rotors, hubs, track bar, steering box, steering shaft, steering wheel--you get the idea--all replaced and aligned for a BIT cheaper than an 04!



The answer is here, somewhere. I'm not sure what it is, but if it where me, I'd pay a front end shop to tell me all the worn out stuff and either have them replace it or do it myself.



Oh, and the steering box adjustment. I've done that before on a dorf. It's VERY touchy. You're adjusting the backlash in the gears there, not hard to do, but you don't want it too tight. That's for sure. And I don't think that is the problem.



an 04---cripes man.

 

[jrandol]

Thanks Wade, you calmed me down from the ledge. I gotta get this fixed its getting to the point where * gulp * I dont like driving the truck anymore, its stressful.



No time to get it into a shop this week but will next week. In them meantime keep the info flowing please.



Thanks,



Jeff Randol

 

[MWBrooks]

My truck was starting to do the 'cha-cha-cha' on the road a while back. It was alot of work to drive it. So much so that I wouldn't let my wife drive it (which may not be a bad thing). I was losing that lovin' feeling with my truck, if you know what I mean. So I finally broke down and did the following.



#1: Installed a DT tracbar.

#2: Installed Darin's steering stabilizer (you have the link to his website).

#3: Adjusted the over center adjustment on my steering box.

#4: Had my front end inspected and repaired at a reputable shop. I'm not talking about Midas or Four wheel parts but a place that works on large commercial vehicles on down. They replaced one tie-rod, one drag link, new brakes (including new calipers), replaced my upper and lower control arm bushings (pro-comp control arms), and did an alignment.



Total cost was around $1400. Not huge, but damn sure less than an 04' would cost you (I am probably going to get an 05' though, only because I want a dually). I'm not sure of your mileage but my 96' just went over 50K. I'm going to shed a tear when I sell it.



The best part is the truck now drives better than it did new.







Mike

 

[jrandol]

Thanks for all your help guys!! I took it to a really good alignment shop today and they did a 4 wheel lazer alignment. Everything was to spec and nothing showed up as bad (track bar and control arms, etc... ) were all in great shape. I just ordered one of those DSS kits from Marv via phone. What a nice guy!! Anywho, should have the kit late next week and hope to get it put on before I drive to S. D.



Thanks again for all your help



Jeff

 

[#2DSL]

Check air pressure in front tires. Make sure they have same psi. in both tires. I rotated my back tires to front and criss crossed them. Had 60 psi in one and 45 psi in other. Made truck wander all over the road. Check em out. Maybe thats the problem.

 

[jrandol]

Originally posted by #2DSL

Check air pressure in front tires. Make sure they have same psi. in both tires. I rotated my back tires to front and criss crossed them. Had 60 psi in one and 45 psi in other. Made truck wander all over the road. Check em out. Maybe thats the problem.

Thanks #2, we checked that too. I run my fronts at 58 psi and my backs at 45 psi. They were all dead on. I am praying this DSS System is the cure of all cures. :{

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Tell your alignment guy to dial in as much postive caster as possible. This makes the truck track str8.

 

[jstyer]

Thank God

I'm sure glad I looked at this thread. Was getting ready to post my own. I've been having the same problems and they seem to be getting worse. 63K on truck, new tires and whenever I get done driving, my arms are more pumped than a good workout at the gym. My biggest concern was getting pulled over for a DUI, without drinking, since the truck wanders so much. It's really he** trying to keep in your lane on a long curve. Looks like some of my answers are here. I will admit it has always been a "wanderer" but getting progessively worse.

Thanks for all the good info.

 

[jrandol]

jstyer,



I hear you on the DUI thing, my wife was following me home last week in the exploder and said it looks like I am a drunk driver!! I really hope this DSS kit solves the deal, its gotten to the point where I dont enjoy driving the beast anymore even with the added power. Hopefully my faith will be renewed soon



Jeff

 

[jstyer]

jrandol

Let me know how it works. No sense buying it to find out out it doesn't contribute to better handling. Thanks for the reply.

John

 

[ProspectorTim]

Hopefully you can BOTH add your name to thisthread shortly.

 

[GiesJ]

Originally posted by jrandol

my wife was following me home last week in the exploder and said it looks like I am a drunk driver!!

Jeff -

if she could see you, you don't have enough smoke right? Like Spyhunter... .

J

 

[Dheadington]

steering wander

I had same problems on mine darrin's kit made truck drive better than new. Truck was dangerous to drive before especially towing 30 ' fifth wheel. You will be surprised at the difference.

Denny