2500 wandering 2002
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2500 wandering 2002
I need some help, I have a 2002 diesel 4x4 lb. I seems to wander going down the road. I only have 3300 miles on it. Anyone know the cause or cure. I has been on the highway only, no 4-wheeling. <br>Thanks in advance.
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From: NE Wisconsin
Re:2500 wandering 2002
Welcome to the wandering club. I think it's a number of things on these Ram 4X4s that potentiate the problem.<br><br>I still have wander. New track bar, Borgeson steering shaft installed, over-the-center and bearing pre-load adjustments done to the box, tried different tire pressures, rotated tires....stills wanders, but not as bad. Sometimes I'm really working that steering wheel when travelling straight roadway. It seems worse if the road surface is rough. <br><br>There is a thread somewhere on this board about a loose steering fix that involves an extra bearing w/pillow block added for the pitman arm. If I recall, this is made in Canada and costs about $125US. Would like to hear if someone has purchased this and what the results have been. <br><br>This seems to be a common problem, and definitely take it back to the dealer.
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From: AR
Re:2500 wandering 2002
I have an 02 2500 4x4 auto that sits parked in the yard because of steering and weird brakes. Today I found a link to <br>lukeslink.com that sells end kit for track bar for 50 bucks that is supposed to fix the damned wandering. Has anyone used their parts? Mine has 3800 miles on it and is for sale.
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From: Boise, ID
Re:2500 wandering 2002
I put Lukes Links on all 5 joints in the front end and now it is a totally different truck. No steering wheel shake or wandering. BTW my '02 did the same thing at about 7-8k.
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From: Greenville, South Carolina
Re:2500 wandering 2002
The LUKES LINK, repair on my tracking bar and a pair of Firestone 10 ply's put an end to it. THe dealer will probably play dumb with you, but in all likelyness it is the tracking bar.<br><br>If your not sure what, where or how to tell if the tracking bar is bad, just email me and I'll be happy to try and help you.<br><br>Gary
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Re:2500 wandering 2002
[quote author=Ruralmedic link=board=5;threadid=10756;start=0#102702 date=1044840005]<br>Welcome to the wandering club. I think it's a number of things on these Ram 4X4s that potentiate the problem.<br><br>I still have wander. New track bar, Borgeson steering shaft installed, over-the-center and bearing pre-load adjustments done to the box, {...}<br>[/quote]<br>Common problem w/Saginaw steering boxes. Have you checked the pitman shaft bearing for play? I get about 3 years out of a box before it wears out. <br>Also, IMHO part of the wander problem (other than the infamous trackbar) is just the nature of the beast. Solid axle front suspension, w/no idler arm or rack/pinion set up like 1/2 tons (w/IFS) have will always suffer from more road induced wander than light trucks/autos. <br>I found the AGR fast ratio version of the Saginaw box to be much imporved over stock, but still wears out too fast. Oddly enough, my wide tires seem to mitigate much of the wander, but undoubtedly increase component wear rates.<br>only my .02,<br>-Scott
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From: Sturbridge, Taxachusetts
Re:2500 wandering 2002
I've had a wandering problem since the day I drove it off the lot. I took it back and got a "Could not duplicate" response. My steering is tight, and I don't think it's a component problem. I just gotta be on that wheel all of the time. I think mine is an alignment problem and it could be yours too. Somewhere on this site is the recommended alignment settings which differ from the factory settings. Maybe someone can recall what those settings are.
[edit]
Here's the thread. See Dan239's response:
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d=1603;start=0
[edit]
Here's the thread. See Dan239's response:
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d=1603;start=0
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From: West Virginia
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From: North Myrtle Beach, SC
Re:2500 wandering 2002
commatoze
I had steering box changed out by dealer under warranty the old unit was a Saganaw the new unit is Delphi. The Delphi is alot stiffer steering than the old unit was. After checking over center adjustment and making sure it wasn't set to tight it is just stiffer steering. This unit has been on for aprox 40k and still stiff. I did change out steering fluid about 2 weeks ago and put Redline synthetic p/s fluid back in it helped loosen up alittle.
Denny
PS I like it up your way we stayed in Sturbridge last Oct. for 3 days.
I had steering box changed out by dealer under warranty the old unit was a Saganaw the new unit is Delphi. The Delphi is alot stiffer steering than the old unit was. After checking over center adjustment and making sure it wasn't set to tight it is just stiffer steering. This unit has been on for aprox 40k and still stiff. I did change out steering fluid about 2 weeks ago and put Redline synthetic p/s fluid back in it helped loosen up alittle.
Denny
PS I like it up your way we stayed in Sturbridge last Oct. for 3 days.
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From: NE Wisconsin
Re:2500 wandering 2002
I surfed the TDR about the Canadian steering fix, and although early, appears to be getting favorable feedback from those that have installed it. The additional bearing supporting the pitman arm tightens up the loose steering.
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Re:2500 wandering 2002
[quote author=DHeadington link=board=5;threadid=10756;start=0#105617 date=1045490521]<br><br>I had steering box changed out by dealer under warranty the old unit was a Saganaw the new unit is Delphi. <br>[/quote]<br><br>Delphi is the new name (owner) for old "Saginaw Steering" (& other ex-GM subs). Part of the great corporate american spin-off game I suppose...<br><br>Does the new box look different? Wonder if they actually redesigned it, or just cosmetic makeover?<br>Just emailed AGR about replacement box for my 95 (would be 4th incl. oem). They said the Dodge/Cummins were really bad to eat steering boxes for some reason. Heard that from alignment shops as well. Guess I'm going to have to pirate a box from a TopKick to get something that'll last...<br><br>Good luck,<br>-Scott
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From: New York
Re:2500 wandering 2002
Its not the box or the trackbar, Get the ALIGNMENT done by someone who knows how to correctly do the truck. Or bring it to me and I`ll do it for FREE.<br> Danny<br>Tired of moving snow in New York!