02Diesel

My truck pulls to the right all the time and wanders quite a bit. I have also noted that when turning the steering wheel I can just about turn it 1/4 turn each way to get any response at the wheels.

Yesterday I went underneath while my son turned the wheel from left to right (suspecting the track bar) because something was making a pop noise when backing it into my driveway. The track bar had about 1/8 up and down movement at the bracket side when moving the wheel. I also noted that you could take the drag link and I could twist it by hand and feel it bang in the joints metal to metal. When he moved the steering wheel I could also see what appeared to be movement is just about all the tie rod ends and that the dust boots were cracked and close to being dry but no zerk fittings to grease them.

1. Based on this description do all the tie rod ends need to be replaced as well as the track bar?

2. If they do need to be replaced is this something I can do my self safely or should I take it into a front end shop for a complete check out? I have never experienced any death wobble and would like to keep it that way.

3. If I do it myself what is the best parts to replace them with?

4. If it is better to have this checked and realigned do anyone have a shop in the San Diego area that they can recommend?

5. Finally, What would cause all this wear on a truck with only 40K miles on it? I have the SKyjacker 4 1/2" lift and 35" Swamper SSR radials which have not given me any problems and have ridden fairly smooth. Could either of these contribute to the wear problem? I do not abuse the truck as it is used as a daily driver to commute approx 40 miles per day to work. I also have a factory manual for the truck but there is not a lot of information it it on this subject.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated as I would like to get this corrected as soon as possible.

Thanks
Frank

marksmith

Your problems stem from the lift (which throws the geometry out) and the tires.


I'd replace the track bar... then investigate what else moves. 1/8" is quite a bit.

You can do your own front end work easy enough. Replace everything... adjust it close (I use 1/8" to 1/4" narrower on the front... measuring center tread on the front of both front tires.. then the rear of both front tires.) Once your 'close'.... take it to an alignment shop and get it aligned.

If your closest shop is a long drive (30+ miles) maybe a trailer.... or pay someone a couple hundred for labor and have them do it.

Brendan

I have/had a similar problem, I replaced the track bar with a moog part, that made a big difference but I can still turn the steering wheel a few inches each way with no wheel response and it bugs me to no end. Anything anybody has to help us would be great!

sherod

I just went through this with my 98. Started with the track bar. Then a "new" new trackbar 10 days later. Found tie rods bad after that. Finally, after having a severe dw experience pulling a loaded trailer, everything under the front end with the exception of the ball joints was replaced.

You can do the work yourself, not a real big problem.

Edit: Also gave the gearbox about a 1/8 turn tighter. That really made the difference.

Ed

Mainemike100

Search past threads for adjustable track bars. With a lift these can be adjusted to account for the needed increased length. You can stay with the stock, and napa has a moog one w/ lifetime warranty. Also as stated above, adjust your steering box also, some good instructions here... http://dodgeram.org/tech/mods/steeri...ear/Adjust.htm
Don't be surprised that it's like this after only 40,000 miles, these front ends are a little touchy, I get about 30,000 out of the "lifetime" track bars.

Baja

With such a big lift, you should consider replacing your control arms with longer ones.

02Diesel

Guys, Thanks for all the help. So it sounds like 40K miles is not unusual for these items to wear out with a 4" lift. Are the Moog components better that OEM and are they serviceable? What special tools if any do I need to replace the tie rod ends? Do I use a gear puller? It seems that I have so many problems with it, wandering, pulling to right and excessive steering wheel play that I might need more help than I am experienced at.

Baja, I have the longer control arms that were included in the Skyjacker kit. Are you suggesting some even longer?

Mainemike100, On the track bar. I have the drop bracket that came with the kit that was installed. It was actually welded in to eliminate movement. Do I still need to look at an adjustable bar or would it not work with this bracket? Maybe I need to get rid of the bracket?

kawi600

The steering gearbox you have is probably one of the 4 turn (?) boxes. I think they go with the 4.10 geared trucks which are assumed to be towing heavy. You can upgrade the steering box to one which uses a smaller number of turns from stop to stop and that will tighten up the response a lot. A lot of the wander is because theres such a large amount of wheel travel necessary to make a steering correction on the road.
the steering stabilizer bar that solidsteel.biz makes helps take the load off the sector shaft, Id do that as well. Chances are with your tires and the lift the shaft on the gearbox is pretty worn.
You can replace the tie rod ends and the track bar end with lukes links which will keep the repair cost down a bit and make the joints rebuildable in the future. I did my pitman arm joint awhile back and its held up nice.

Baja

No. I didn't know the kit supplied them.

scott mabe

I have a 1999 dodge 4x4 deisel seems like it wonders alot you can turn steering wheel and wheels seem to turn exactly with turn any suggestions

RODGERDODGER01

would anyone have a part # for track bar on a 98 2500 4X4 diesel, I purchased a Moog # ds1413 and mechanic says not the correct one.