I have a 02 2500 cummins 4wd, and about a month ago i noticed that it was just getting harder and harder to stay in my lane on the road so i changed the steering stabilizer, and no luck. so i decided for the heck of it, to check the fluid..lol
well it was hott and on the bottom of the dipstick, so i topped off the reservoir and than it was like driving a whole new truck. Went awsome, for about 2 weeks. Slowly it just got worse and worse ( while fluid level stayed relatively the same, minor loss) so i went to get an alignment. It was about 25 Degrees and my truck wouldn't fit into his garage without leaving the door open, so he ckecked the track bar and balljoints by having me turn the wheel while he watched. He said everything looked fine and told me to adjust the screw on top of the box. So i did it ( about 3/4 to 1 turn) and it was just like before when i put in fluid, nearly perfect. This lasted about 2 weeks again, and now its back its normal self, if not worse. Right now its like trying to keep a 92 plymouth sundance in a straight line while driving on ice..

I checked the wheel bearings and ball joints and tie rod ends all again, and they are all tight. Does anyone have an idea of whats wrong? Im fearing that its the steering box, seeing as i just hit 173,000 and it is more than likely the factory box.

any suggestions would be great.

 

my father in-law has the same problome and he also can't figure it out, he has 176,000 KM.

 

Watching this thread, mine is doing same thing w/ only 75k miles. Had alignment about 10k miles ago and did not fix, same symptoms - difficulty, at times, keeping truck tracking straight. Flushed power steering, new stabilizer, all tie rods etc seem to be in good shape. Was thinking of taking to a different aligment shop.

 

Sounds to me like track bar or ball joints.
How are you checking the ball joints? Jack up the front so the tire is about 3" off the ground put a long pry bar under the tire and pry up. watch the ball joints for any up and down movement.

 

I have occasionally heard that the steering box mount starts to flex and break(there is a kit to strngthen this area). I need to check mine to see if it is doing that. Many people say a new trackbar helps a lot when it comes to steering wander.

 

New track helped a ton on my truck, if you have one with a lifetime warranty I would get it replaced.

 

I found the steering box a weak design with too little support.
Solution - A DSS.... from HERE.
Has solved my 'wandering' problems for last 100,000 miles, while protecting and preventing the expense of having to replace the steering box.
I installed mine at 30,000 miles, as preventative mx, and was surprised to notice a big improvement in handling.
I highly recommend this product!

They also make an excellent track bar bracket and adjustable bar. Between the two, your control problems would be a thing of the past, IMO.

RJ

 

We have had several trucks do the same thing, hard spot in a ball joint. All the front end checking in the world won't find it.

 

I had My steering gear box professionaly rebuilt soon after getting my truck around 165,000 miles,it was so worn out they had to torch it apart.
I had to have the entire front suspension rebuilt because of the work this truck did,which was a grass fire truck.
The podunk municipality could'nt afford a 4wd much less the maintenance
on this truck,the tires beads were melted to the rim flanges and were blistered
and cracked,the grease boots were all burned away.
But it was a bargain,so WTH?
Now it almost drives itself,next step is a steering stabilizer.

 

i just got a new steering box installed. truck drives amazing.

however first thing i would do is change your track bar. makes a massive difference