Hillcountry

I have 120,000 miles on the 2001, and I feel like I am getting a little steering wander...I know it is not the ball joints, so I am thinking trackbar. The symptoms are that on the highway I feel like I am overcorrecting when steering...I'll turn a little, then it feels like the truck all of a sudden turns a lot on its own. I am hoping it is not the steering box.

Thoughts?

infidel

Have someone move the steering wheel back and forth.

Watch for movement at the driver's side of the trackbar.

If there is any visible movement the trackbar is shot

TRASHMAN

just replaced mine 6-17 feels like a new truck !!! old one was original 98 k miles really did not look to have much movement either but it does not take much to make a straight axle wonder

SIXSLUG

Sounds like the trac bar. Get everything checked out though, because once the trac bar starts gettting noticably loose the ball joints and tie rod ends have been exposed to a lot of stresses.

Kurt

Hillcountry

Thanks all...I have some time this summer so I will investigate everything. Thanks for the heads up on ball joints getting stressed because of the track bar. I will make sure I check everything out.
Thanks again!

fordkiller43

Did my steering box and that helped alot! My trackbar is on its way out tho as well. Good luck with it

Hillcountry

Well I did the track bar...no problem, and replaced the steering dampener...so far the steering is a lot tighter. I will also order one of those DSS steering stabilizer kits for the steering box, then it will be on to the ball joints and tie rod ends. By then the front end will be pretty "new."

Thanks for the help and advice!

ldornak

Hillcountry,

Where did you purchase your dampener? Also, did you know a reputable shop around Austin for alignments?

Hillcountry

Idornak...I sent you a PM. I got the dampener from NAPA and went with the stock replacement. The cost was low.