what the heck is going on?
my 91 250 4wd is having VERY unpleasant steering issues. I can't seem to turn fully to the right, and the steering wheel no longer lines up when I'm going on a straight line.
What is this? I need to drive a bunch this week, and need this figured out.
Tys

 

Check to make sure the frame hasn't cracked where the box bolts on. If you are lucky it's just the bracket that has cracked, but sometimes the frame cracks as well.

 

did you do any front end work recently? I have found that when the front ride height is altered in any way , i.e. new/re-arched springs it messes up the turning radius because the O.E. draglink is not adjustable. my current truck does this, it takes a mile to make a right hand but a left hander has a much tighter radius. My truck only has a re-arched front pack with an add a leaf to level the truck front/rear and that small amount of lift makes a huge difference in turning radius. My previous truck (86 W250 gasser) had a 4 inch lift...same problem only much worse (I could write a book on what the PO butchered to "try" fix it), the solution on that rig was an adjustable drag link.

 

No I haven't done any work on front end at all, ever. New tires like 6 months ago was it.
it seems like the steering wheel has sort of slowly lost the ability to turn that way.... of course everything is crusted over with dirt and such, so I couldn't tell by glancing at it yesterday in the grocery store parking lot.

Wanna, I'll go look now at any possible cracks, but, sorry, which 'box' are you talking about? I definitely don't know what to even look for here.

Tys

 

The steering box that is bolted to the frame. Driver side its what is the physical connection between the steering column and the linkage. Sometimes the mounting bracket cracks, sometimes the frame itself cracks.

 

yup. cracked. dang it. both the bracket that the leaf springs are connected to, and the bracket that holds that bracket to the frame.

what are those pieces called? anyone have a part number?

Why are those riveted to the frame and not bolted? If I can get new parts, I'll have to grind off those things, and put in bolts, right?


thanks for the help,
Tys

 

Your Dodge dealer should be able to get you the steering box bracket, that's a common problem. I'm not sure if the spring hangers are available. Depending on where the cracks are, welding it back together in place may be the best course of action.

You will have to grind off the rivets and replace them with grade 8 hardware. Make sure the frame is not cracked.

 

Bracket info

 

Just wanted to check on the part(s), to make sure I'm describing them properly:

This is the driver's side front wheel leaf spring brackets.

here's the two sides of the two brackets that have cracked. You can see where my friendly neighbor has done some emergency welding to at least allow me to drive this thing to town to find someone who can grind out those rivets.

(from inside looking out -left)


(from outside looking in -toward engine)


It's both the bracket that holds the leaf spring, and the bracket that holds that bracket onto the frame.

To order those parts, I need two part numbers, correct? where do I find those?

Tys

 

The whole mess has been superseded, the part number should be 4447156.

 

wow, meaning, they now make a part that incorporates both brackets? All I have to do is figure out how to get that mess off, new bolts in, and someone to put it on a lift to handle the tension of the leaf springs. Nothing to it! ha.

thanks again,
Tys

 

4" angle grinder worked for me. Once you get the brackets off it would be trivial for an even marginally competent welder to weld them back up properly good as new. Like Wanna said, grade 8 bolts to reassemble. The rivets are just slightly smaller than 1/2", so you will need to drill the holes out to 1/2". Fine thread 20-pitch grade 8 hardware and loctite. You don't want that stuff coming loose going down the road.

 

Also do not be tempted to use a torch to cut the rivets, I have seen suspension parts crack and fall off years after it was heated.

Saw an entire spindle and tire break and fall of while driving down the road because the gas station mechanic removed the upper ball joint with a torch.

Isn’t that funny how some kid just out of High School was making $2.02 hr, was pumping gas and was the “Mechanic On Duty”

I use either my 4” Makita or my Hilti angle grinder with a cutoff wheel to cut bolts and rivets.

Watch were the sparks go.

 

Ive got the same problem with the 350 4x4 i just bought, i looked and it has already been re-welded and bolts put in but still steers like a dump truck.

????