I bought this truck about a year ago. It had 21000 miles on it and had been pulling a 5th wheel RV for the most part. Initially I thought the steering was different because I was getting use to the truck. When I would go over a long bridge, not far from home, the front end would start to bounce. Nothing serious, just different. I thought this was because of the pavement surface because it wouldn’t do it anywhere else. But when I am towing my two place horse trailer and let off the gas to go around a curve the front end seems to unload and the truck wants to go to the outside of the curve. I seem to notice it more going uphill than down. I am going to replace the shocks because I can’t think of anything else. Any suggestions?

 

I'm certainly no expert (yet!! ) but that could be what they call here "death wobble".
It had to do with the track bar where it attaches to the frame. The link wears out and causes the front end to wobble and bobble.

 

Im not sure if its the death wobble. The only reason I say no is becasue there were no cuss words in army_guys post.....lol. Seriously, I have never experienced it, but it scares most people half to death (hence the name).

I am battling the same problems you are. My truck wanders to the left one day, and to the right the next. I have to overcompensate my steering wheel to keep it going straight. I put new shocks on, and a lukes link. Neither helped. I am at my whits end, and just about ready to start throwing parts at it.

I hate driving my truck because of this. It used to be fun, but nowadays I dont think to highly of it.


good luck.

 

as was said... death wobble is a VIOLENT shaking of the front tires...

Yours sounds like a worn out steering box like mine has... You can snug it up some with the adjuster, but a new box + a DSS (to prevent the box from going bad again) is a good remedy.

I found mine by looking underneath while my S/O rocked the steering wheel.. lots of movement on the input of the box before the output moves at all.

 

Shock would be a good idea to start with anyways... It would help with the bounce. Also get a second person and check all steering joints . (Tie Rods, Etc.)

 

I have to second the recommendation for the DSS. I installed it on my truck (no death wobble) as a preventitive precaution and I can't stress enough how much of an improvement it makes on the handling of the truck. I know some have not noticed much of a difference if any, but I think it should be the second mod done to the truck right after gauges.
Mishkaya

 

I decided to start looking for the cause of my problem. Since the right shock was the easiest to get to I pulled it off to check it. It was absolutely shot. The other three were not as bad but they were worn severely. I went to Les Schawb and bought shocks all the way around. I ended up getting their RMX Monotubes, 53.96 ea (Made In The U.S.A.). They wanted 11.25 ea to install but I decided to do it myself. It took me two hours and was rather physical but no real big deal if you have the tools. Just driving to work this morning I could see a difference. Its amazing how little things like this sneak up on you. I’m hauling the horses to the mountains this Saturday so that will be the real test.

 

What is a DSS?

 

It is the Darin's Steering Stabilizer.
See it here: DSS Link

~Rob

 

www.solidsteel.biz

 

install a reman. steering box,DSS,and DTB.you will be amazed, it will be all ....