05 2500 4x4 CTD. Steering suddenly feels tight and won't recenter. I checked the movement in the BJ's and had a good 1/8" + slop. moving the tire in and out I can see the knuckle moving at the axle.

I have replaced all 4 BJ's and all the rod ends, tierods ect. absoultly no difference.

Tires are 37x13.5 and about worn out. No suspension changes before the problem.

Alignment (castor)?
Tires worn?
Steering box?

The new BJ's felt fine as the knuckles moved freely after install.

Thanks,

John

 

Sounds like something is binding. About the only things left are the gear box, and the parts between the gear box and steering wheel.

Disconnect the pitman arm, slowly turn the wheel back and forth with the engine off. If there's binding, you should be able to feel it.

How much caster do you have?

 

I Disconected the pitman arm and the steering is tight (engine off) and a little tighter in the center of range. Power on and steering feels smooth.

Caster is unknown. What is a good caster spec to hit?

Thanks,

John

 

I bet you uses Moog BJ's?
There's been lotsa people having the same problem due to Moog ball joints lately.

It means replacing them unfortunately...

 

I might tend to agree except the prob started before replacing the BJ's and as loose as the knuckles were prior to replacement, the issue has to be elseware?

 

It's binding up somewhere between the box and the steering wheel. You've added taller and wider tires, which puts more strain on everything. Disconnect the steering shaft, and turn the box by hand. I'd bet that's where it's binding.

To fix it, you'll have repalce the box. I would also suggest a steering shaft brace to prevent this from happening again.

For caster, I'v read as much as 8*. But I never checked the book to see what the spec is.

 

Don't overlook the Moog lower ball joints. I replaced darn near everything on mine, including a new steering box and steering brace. The only thing that fixed it was replacing the just installed Moog lowers with the OEM lower ball joints. It now drives like a dream once again.

It cost me an additional $1000 in parts until I finally had them swapped out which fixed the issue.

And one other thing, with the weight off the front end they showed no sign of binding and they were hesitant to warranty the work. The shop that installed them tried telling me there was nothing wrong with them. However, they went ahead and did it because there was nothing else to check and...problem solved.

Read this thread...

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...og+ball+joints

 

here is a shot in the dark, but what condition is your steering dampner in? Mine was pretty beat up and loosing oil and eventually seized up.

 

When my trucks steering would not recenter it turned out to be the box. New one on there and all is well.

 

I had the same issue and it ended up being one of my front axle u-joints. Had that replaced and the other side under warranty haven't had the issue since.

 

I had to change my gear box on my 06 3500. the thing would go right around in a circle, steering wheel would stay where ever u left it.
gear box fixed it.

 

Well I advise anyone who has not read the thread detailing the ball joint issue to do so.

Amazing that a company as HUGE as Moog could produce a product that would be so defective. I'm sure that's why people look for any other reason for their truck's poor performance, even when the only thing they changed was the ball joints!

 

I have replaced several steering boxes for binding issues some under warranty some were not.

 

Had a similar problem when my truck was almost new. Dealer installed a new steering box and the problem so far has never come back.