Ok, so my truck is pretty sloppy in the front end. I dont think i can afford to change everything all at once. Is there a order of components i could change so they dont have to be done all at once? Example.... If i change the ball joints and not the trackbar, will the worn out track bar kill the ball joints before i can change the track bar? (just an example...)

 

Well that is kind of a loaded question. If a ball joint breaks you will crash, If a track bar breaks you will crash. Pick your poison. I do not want to sound like your dad here but if the truck is dangerous and you do not have the money to fix it then you should not be driving it. It will cost a lot more if one of those parts breaks, I guarantee that. I guess it would come down to just how bad the parts are. Are they falling out loose or just have some play in them. Lets go with the just some play scenario. I would do the ball joints first as long as you are not getting the death wobble. Do not overlook tie rod ends in the mix either.

Rick

 

Its not that bad, just has that lazy wander to it. Ive owned it 6 years now, i just want to keep it up to snuff. I know my steering box is worn, so , i thought id change some more. The track bar was changed with a moog 2 years ago, it did help tighten it up, but im still not happy with it.

 

Unless you replace all worn parts and get it all tightened up you are never going to get it right. Out of spec parts do not perform to their intended level and will put added strain on other parts.

My attempt would be Trac bar, ball joints, tie rod ends, steering box first, then worry over shocks , stabilizer and steering shaft.

Also,after a box replacement I would add a DSS to help preserve it all.

 

Dont forget control arm bushings...about $60.

 

I would start with the DSS. I went the other way and it was the icing on the cake. I like the icing first.

 

Im not sure what a DSS is, i googled it and this came up .

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/94-02-DODGE-3...item3f09057464

 

That's it and it is great. It puts a second bearing support on the output shaft of the steering box. if there is even a bit of play it will wander. My local mechanic said it needed a new box, and i could see the play. New DSS and it drives like a new one. After all the new ball joints, pittman arm, idler arm, etc.. it still wandered. The DSS was the cure a lot cheaper than a new steering box.

 

The DSS (Darin's Steering Stabilizer) is a good part to add to the mix but in no way a fix all for worn parts. Its main purpose is to bolster the frame/steering box connection so the steering shaft doesn't have to take the load of forces when turning or trying to go straight down the road.

I installed mine after a complete front end rebuild with quality parts and a thuren adjustable trac bar, alignment and new tires. Its no Porsche, but it steers a lot better.

I would suggest checking everything for play/looseness and start at the wobbliest end.

 

If the trackbar is not bas on the tierod upper end just replace the bushing in the lower end. only 20 bucks for the right side bushing from Moopoly is easiest but hou have to cut out hte old sleeve where the rubber is gone.

 

Took me a while to decipher that one!

 

Sorry it was late and sometimes I can not type. That was Moog and polyurthane is easiest.