rico334

Traded an '02 Chev Z71 about a month ago for my '03 Dodge Ram 4x4, quad, Cummins.

The Chev., I did not like for various other reasons, but it held tight and smooth while driving down the road. The Dodge has 26k miles on it and I seem to be making constant, tiny little adjustments with the steering wheel while driving down the road to keep it headed straight.

The truck does not pull to one side over the other and has no vibration like a tire out of balance, but I am concerned about why I have to keep up with the tiny movement of the wheel.

Any ideas ?

Thanks,
Rick

Txwelder

Does it always happen on a road you usually travel? I know my truck will fade one way or the other depending on the arc of the pavement. Just a thought?

rico334

yes, seems to do it no matter if you are driving on a 30mph city street or 70mph on the highway.

I can really notice it while driving on pasture dirt lanes. The cows walk the dirt lanes, keeping the dirt powdered and 2-3 inches deep. It feels as if the front tires want to go in opposite directions at times.

phox_mulder

Apparantly that's been a "feature" of Dodge 4x4 trucks for quite a while.

I'm guessing your Chevy had independant front suspension.
I'm thinking the drift is from a combination of solid front axle and coil springs.
I don't remember my 74 Ford having a problem, but it had leaf springs on the solid front axle.

My Dodge did it from the get go, worsened when I put the bigger tires on,
worsened moreso when I put the lift on.
Moving from a wee Tacoma probably made it more noticeable.

There is a DSS in my future, hopefully sooner than later.
(Darins Steering Stabilizer)

Unknown if they work on the 3rd gens, or if there is one in the works.


phox