first4age

How precise is the steering on these pickup?

Due to an error with DMV and a Park Ranger, my wife had to drive in and out of the park with the camper. She complains the steering wheel shakes but in reality, it is sloppy and there is something like 10-15 degree of turning dead spot before it turns left or right.

I always thought it was normal and similar to other trucks (old Toyota trucks) that I have driven.

Tacomaman87

Its normal for one of theese trucks. but its not supposed to be like that do a search on a dss steering stabiliser they are a big help. also sounds like your steering box may have some slop in it. my truck is a on going battle to get it to drive correctly. i still havnt won!!!!!!!!!

Hodge

It is common for these Dodges. It is a combination of wear and movement, coupled with less then perfect design, that causes the wandering. I just replaced the ball joints, track bar, and installed a steering box brace, and mine drives 100% different, and better. It isn't cheap, though. To fix all the issues will nickel and dime you. I have about $1100 in parts total (ball joints, u-joints, wheel bearings, track bar, and steering brace).

rebal

if your font end parts are worn it will be sloppy, you need to have some one saw the wheel back and forth and watch all the moving parts to see what is worn out also a DSS is a huge help in stopping a wondering truck! with good front end parts and a DSS my truck drives real nice and is tight .at 120000 miles I did new upper lower ball joints and a HD track bar(MOOG DS1314 problem solver) and a DSS

mstep3

i just ordered this & going to try it out to see if it makes any difference in steering on my truck. i will post if i see improvements in steering.

http://www.rocksolidramtrucksteering.com/

Hodge

That may help, but it won't solve all of it. I did everything but replace that bushing, and my steering is tight and great now.

mstep3

i figured it can't hurt to try it for $60 & i'm hoping that it gets rid of a weird "honk" noise i've got in the steering column when turning. sometimes it sounds like there's geese in the steering column.

first4age

Thanks for the advice. I remember reading about the rocksolid bushing when I had a "wandering" problem. After filling up the PS fluid because the brakes started to act up, the "wandering" stopped.

I will definitely look at getting the DSS system. I need to get the sloppiness out since I won't be able to drive straight to Yellowstone if my wife is afraid of the truck.