so back in the spring i had new tires put on my truck and with that i took it to get the alignment adjusted, they said that the track bar was shot and needed a new one and so i ok'd the repair and hoped that that was what was causing there to be a little slack in the steering that i noticed when the old tires were on the truck but it wasnt bad, then when the new ones were put on it felt like my front tires were on ice and when id hit a bump id have to play catch up between the front end and the steering wheel. so after leaving the shop with the new track bar i noticed right off the bat that nothing had changed and still to this day is the same...

so whats causing this problem? i have gotten used to the feeling but it gets old i just want that steering like a truck is supposed to have nice and smooth and no gaps

all info will be greatly appreciated thanks!

 

Some times when a problem in steering is replaced it uncovers a new problem...have you checked your stabilizer and inspected your gearbox?

 

Let me preface by saying that I am no expert on Dodge Trucks or steering... I'm rather a Newbie myself... However, when I was under my 98' this afternoon I noticed that Dodge used an "inverted T" steering system.. This means that there is one tie rod that connects one knuckle to the other and the drag link connects to this bar near the passenger side knuckle. Inverted T type steering systems are known for their slop.... The reason for this is that when you turn the wheel and either push or pull on the drag link it causes the knuckle-to-knuckle tie rod to rotate along it's tie rods before it steers. If you can get a friend to work the steering back and forth while you look under the front of the truck I am convinced that you will see this happen. The "dead spot" in your steering is caused by this knuckle-to-knuckle tie rod rotation.
I recently purchased an after market steering setup like this for my '97 Jeep Cherokee that I take wheeling... Needless to say my enthusiasm of having a new part for my jeep was short lived when I noticed how badly the truck steered. So I did some research on-line and found that a lot of my fellow jeepers had this same problem w/ this system.. the remedy... find a bushing of sorts and place it (along with a washer) on the passenger tie rod end in place of the dust cover/grease boot. This will keep the knuckle-to-knuckle tie rod from rotating, thus removing most of the dead spot in your steering. I no sooner addressed this issue on my jeep than found that a previous owner did something similar on my Dodge (unless it was a factory thing???). This is the bushing I used on my jeep help part number 31019 I took a 1/2" washer and drilled it out to 5/8" then I did the same with the larger of the two bushings in the kit... I dropped the passenger side tie rod at the knuckle, removed the dust boot, and replaced it with the washer/bushing combo... it took a few times to get the thickness right but it made a night and day difference in my steering... way more responsive with very little play.... hope this helps

 

Well the problem didn't change it just became more pronounced with the brand new tires being that they hadn't had a wear pattern started yet.

 

Alignment may be off... did you receive a printout of the alignment shop's spec's for your truck and compare them to what was actually discovered on your rig?

Secondly, if your truck is hard to manage, you could have issues the with the ball joints, tie rods, steering box, steering shaft, etc. I would have those inspected first and foremost. You have what many experts call "the death wobble".

 

Oh, also forgot to mention: pitman arm, steering linkage (track bar)...

 

I believe the term "Death wobble" is overused. I would guess that some ppl diagnose the "front end shaking" or "shaky steering wheel" etc DW right off the back, IDK if yall have ever experienced it at all but i wouldnt think DW from that description.

 

Been there, done that...

the death wobble is a widely used term, most likely because of its deadly intentions... lateral axle slop/play, combined with weak / damaged suspension components, + sloppy steering components = DEATH WOBBLE...

You will slow down, or else wreck.

 

I've recently been down this road. All of the steering components - tie rod, ball joint, steering box .....all need to be in good shape and can be tested. Alignment needs to be in specs. There are links (perhaps to Genos) that gives some that work. (Not any "in spec" works.) I bought a lifetime alignment from Firestone. Sometimes (usually) it is a struggle to get them to do what I want but I've been on the machine 7 or 8 times for $140. Be sure to get a print out of before & after settings so you can make changes. I go whenever my tires are balanced. Lastly, check your tire pressure. Mine wanders at higher pressure but tracks straight at 60# all around. (Yokohama Geolanders) I may try the older style steering when my parts wear out.

 

Truer statements were never made. You WILL know when you have a Death Wobble! Never had it on my rig but I had it happen on a Peterbuilt with a tag axle. The tag started into a wobble @ about 25 MPH and I thought it was going to throw the truck off the road. Not to mention that I nearly cracked my head on the side glass it was so violent. I saw the tag tires start to move slightly back and forth and I just expected a bit of a shimmy. Man, was I wrong. I still can hardly believe a rig that heavy could do what it did. I can't even imagine what it would have been like at freeway speed. Legal or not, that tag came off the ground for the rest of the trip.

 

I can agree on a death wobble had it on my 68 CJ5 and thought i was going to crash and die. But what i would like is some feedback on the top steering upgrade. It is time for the front end again and can not decide what track bar to use. It seems the Thuren or the DSS Solid Steer. I plan on upgrade to the 3rd gen track bar but can not decide which to use. I also plan on putting on 1 of the above companies gear gox stabalizer bars. Any advice from someone who has installed either of the systems.