Wandering steering wheel?

[cycletech]

First time to make a thread to a great product! I have a 05 2500 4x4 srw. . My problem is that the steering wheel wanders left and right sometimes, feels loose. I looked and found the gearbox shaft at the pitman arm moves left to right when turning the wheel with a load on it. My question is, will the steering shaft stabilizer bracket cure this problem or do I need to replace gearbox then install stabilizer. Just looking for proper cure. .

 

[CPittman]

I would start by checking the tie rod end at the pitman arm. MOOG Part # ES3624. Any play at this point will be amplified throughout the steering system.



This is a $19 part at RockAuto.com. Go to AutoZone and buy a $20 "pitman arm puller" works perfectly to pop the tie rod out of the pitman arm. Loosen the adjusting sleeve and count the number of turns to unscrew the old one and then install the new one with the same number of turns.

 

[cycletech]

I have checked the tie-rods. The steering shaft where the pitman turns is moving left to right depending on which way you turn the steering wheel. So i am wondering if the steering gearbox stabilizer will support this shaft to stop the movement from side to side, or if i need a new gearbox. Trackbar and all tie-rod ends are fine. Just the stress from turning is causing movement of the steering shaft out of the gearbox.

 

[CPittman]

My guess is that one of the support braces would help a lot. They basically extend the steering box shaft and capture it in a bearing and brace.



At $169 for Windecker / SolidSteel to $225 for the BD part they're probably a good investment especially if you are running oversized tires / wheels.

 

[SShafranko]

Does your steering wheel wander or your truck? If the truck is wandering side to side and you have to correct by slightly turning the wheel left to right then most likely you need new track bar bushings. (Geno's garage poly bushings are what i installed) There is also an adjustment bolt on the steering box which will tighten up your steering if it feels loose. Before you get the steering stabilizer you should make sure that your steering box is OK. The steering stabilizer is definitely a worth while investment though.

 

[cycletech]

You can actually see the excessive amount of play of the steering shaft out of the gearbox move. I would think from what Pitmann said, the brace should secure that shaft from moving. I went to dodge with my extended warranty but they said "within from tolerances". I purchased a bd unit from geno's and will install tonight. Let u guys know how it works out!

 

[WoodChuck]

The steering box brace should help a lot but I suspect that if the gearbox had that much play the gears might need some adjusting too. Overtightening the gearbox is a bad idea so be careful if you decide to do that too.

 

[cycletech]

Easy install, and the sbs made a dramatic difference in the way the steering feels!

 

[CPittman]

Sounds good. I just ordered my BD stabilizer from Geno's tonight. Good prices. Did you have to use a 1 - 1/4" deep impact socket to get the sector shaft nut off?



OBTW - update your profile so we can see where you're located.

 

[WoodChuck]

I couldn't find a deep socket and used a large crescent wrench.