MontanaWolf

I have recently bought a 2000 Dodge 2500 quad cab short box. It only had 137,000 miles on it and is in great shape. The interior either had seat covers or had never been sat in. There are just like new. I paid $10,500 for it.

The problem is with the steering. I have had it in to a shop and they replaced the tracking bar and had it re-aligned. They also replaced the ball joints. What is happening is it feels like the steering is fight me. I can let go of the wheel and it goes stright down the road. But when I go to turn, it feels hard to turn and then it is loose then hard. I pulled the steering stabilizer and it is better. But still not fun to drive. Any ideas as to what it could be? I am taking it to another shop to have it looked at. The first one told me that Dodges have always been hard to steer and I would have to live with it. I don't accept that. I would like to be able to tell the other shop what to look at.

Thanks in advance.

Tom Wolf

dozer12216

Did they look at U joints in front axle while replacing ball joints? Sure sounds like they are binding during turn.

travelingman

I bought a 2001 an did all the things you've done an it still drove awful . My description was it just wondered all over the road you just could not drive it
with one hand on a two lane . I replaced the steering gearbox an that helped it 90% I wanted the other 10 . Then I found out about a steering gear box brace . It does just that takes about 30 min too install an its unreel the difference it made . Rathere than me telling you what it looks like an how it works call PDR INC toll free 1 866 888 9396 or 604 888 4159 . An have them exsplain it to you . The tight an lose spots could be the ujoits in the knuckles
or the gear box . But when you get that sorted out the stabilizer will put the iceing on the cake believe me an with the mileage you said it got my guess is
the box is shot . Just food for thought good luck

nitrousn

Thats where I would be looking. A binding stabilizer shock could also cause problems.

MontanaWolf

Yes, they did look at the u-joints. I think that they even replaced them. I removed the stablilzer shock and it started to feel better until I got on the highway. It is no better. I hate it so much that I don't want to drive my new truck.

Traveling man, I think I will check into what you said. That is just what it sounds like.

Thanks,
Tom

MontanaWolf

Part has been orderd and waiting for it to arrive. Will follow up with any changes.

Thanks

travelingman

Glad to hear you got your stablizer on the way . Don't forget to check that steering gear box for wear mine was shot . when I had someone move the steering wheel for me while I layed under the truck I could see the shaft deflect . An my seal was leaking a little because of the movement . Let me know how it works out ? You want believe the difference when you get it sorted out .

MontanaWolf

Have had the part on for a week now. It is amazing how much difference it made. I still can't drive with the hand hanging over the wheel. So I will be getting the steering box looked at next. With my disability I could not install the bar myself. So the shop that I have been taking it to did it for free. All they want is to find out how well it worked.

Thanks again. You saved me from selling the truck that I have always wanted.

Tom

fyremanbill

If they over tightened the gear adjusting screw on top of the steering box, it'll get a tight spot at the center of the steering travel. Also makes it hard to steer a staight line. Been there, done that.

JHew84

Sounds like it could be a few things.

-Sounds like you already ruled out U-joints if they replaced those.
-Could also be a failing power steering pump, or it could just be low on fluid. Those will cut in and out unexpectedly when they are going bad or get air in the lines.
-A bad steering box could be the culprit as well, mine is bad right now with the same issue as travelingmans, you can see obvious movement before it starts to push the steering linkages. Without driving your truck it's hard to tell how bad this cutting in and out is, but my truck definitely feels like it's turning easier up until the point where I'm actually putting pressure on the tie-rods.
-Also these trucks are fairly well known for having the little joint on the steering shaft go bad, which would cause some play.

I would go check your PS fluid and make sure you're not low, then have someone turn the wheel while you look at the steering box to make sure there isn't any slack. While your at it you might as well check that steering joint out also, couldn't hurt anything and it's pretty easy to get at.

Good luck! with what I've experienced front end problems with these trucks tend to take awhile and more $$$ than they should before being completely remedied . My last step is a new steering box and my issues should (fingers crossed!) be over! Everything else on the front end was worn and has been replaced, but it still wanders .

JHew84

Additionally... installing the steering box brace will make the steering feel A LOT better... but if your steering box is going bad it will be putting a lot of stress on the bearing that is supposed to keep it in place and will wear it out pretty quickly I would imagine. I know BD doesn't recommend installing the brace without first replacing any worn parts.

elkhunt

Hi everybody. I have a 2001 H.O. 6 speed 4x4 Dodge 5.9 cummins with the edge/additude.
My question is with the steering,what do who think is the best way to go and parts. I know that my steering box is bad and trac bar. I read alot of the problems that people are having, so I not the only one with this problem. My question is what do think of Luke's link ,do they help to take out the play? I also read on the steering gear box stablizer. What do think would be the best way to go, because I am not buyin a new truck, this is my baby.

MontanaWolf

The shop that put in my PDR bar that travelingman suggested had done some of the Luke's links before. They said that it did not help as much as the PDR bar did. I still have some issues but it is about 80% better. I can now pull my travel trailer and not have to pucker my butt cheeks as I tow it. I will be ordering a new gear box soon.

Tom

dodge 24

check out (www.rock solid ram truck steering.com) not sure but read ever thing i had clunking, shaking,wandering this worked for me call the guy david nice guy he will explain to, dealer was 750 bucks his price 59 bucks look into it like i said not sure but work for me good luck let me no how you make out