Need the DTR community help.
Here's what happened.

A year ago Truck got deathwobble as i was towing a #5000 trailer to the dump (only DW with a load b/c the front end was up an inch or 2 from the tongue weight) no DW without the load.
So i upgrade to the beefy 09 steering linkage and it went away. Towed and drove fine with any trailer on the back.

A year later, ball joints are a little loose, so i pay $850 replace them.
Not sure what brand. Possibly Moog or NAPA, not sure cause the shop used a parts supplier. But the shop foreman insisted they were OEM Spec.
No DW which i didn't expect cause the linkage made that go away, but the truck now wanders when towing the #12000 toy hauler. Not only wanders, gets pushed to the side when a Prius passes me. It's a white knuckle sort of event. Passing big rigs is another white knuckler.

So I replace the steering box (redhead) and the track bar bushing (moog).

Now the wander is easier to correct, since i dont have to turn the wheel from 10-2 and more like 11:45 to 12:15 if that makes sense.... but as i hold the wheel straight, the truck still gets shoved around by civics and corollas.

I'm ******, sad, mad and unhappy. I'm not sure what to do. As far as suspension goes, everything is new-er. I'm left to think that the ball joints are not factory spec or are the culprit here.

Tires are the BFG size and rating that come stock.

I spoke to a dealer service manager and he said that I must use OEM ball joints because the camber will get out of wack with aftermarket ball joints.

Do you have any other thoughts as to what could cause this wander?

I'm thinking i buy OEM ball joints and get it re-done and go from there.

 

Wrong forum. Sorry. can someone move this one to non drivetrain?

 

It's been mentioned that the knuckle holes may not be perfectly aligned and when new tight b-joints are installed it gives a "sticky" steering sensation.
Regardless,my Dynatracs required about 800 miles before they loosened up.
Drive it some and see if the steering loosens up.

 

FWIW.......My 06 had wandering issues recently.
Dealer replaced the steering gear.
No more wandering.

 

take a long read thru this,

Which Dodge Ram Ball Joint Should You Buy? ? Geno's Garage

this is the kind of stuff i am thinking about when the wife says "what are you thinking about" and I say it's too hard to explain, then four hours later, she says "remind me not to ask next time"

 

Wow, your wife is very patient. I'm lucky to get 4 minutes.
Back to morning brew . . .