Hello all. I have a 2004.5 3500 4x4 and have replaced just about everything I can think of that could cause steer wander. Track bar bushings, all tie rods, steering gearbox, sway bar links, rotated tires. Basically only things left are ball joints, wheel bearings and control arm bushings which all seam to be still tight. Anyone have any ideas? Ive also had it aligned twice and the right front tire seams to wear awkwardly on the outside?

 

Was the alignment done with a four wheel alignment machine?

 

I dont believe so. Thats one thing I haven't considered, thanks!

 

I think they did a thrust alignment. I don't see how a four wheel alignment would help though? there's only so much you can do with the rear axle? It really does feel like one or both axles is shifting sideways when turn and im out of ideas, maybe tires?

 

I'd look at the tires. We have had issues with BFG's and just swapped them to Cooper Discoverer's and it's made a huge improvement.


-Kris

 

I have been there, and yes a four wheel alignment will help it will give you a point of reference to see if your axles are racked and yes, it can be adjusted.

 

If the rear axle is out of alignment the rear end will steer the truck when the front wheels have less traction. Is very obvious on roads with icy patches, the truck will seem to shift sideways when the fronts have less traction than the rear. Some people call it dog tracking Can happen on differing textures of asphalt too.

If you have another vehicle follow your truck and observe it, see if the truck drives slightly sideways to one side or the other. If so, the back axle is out of alignment. Not sure how this is adjusted on these trucks. Sometimes really bad rear axle alignment is caused by spring problems/damage.

Does you truck have the front end steering upgrade? Old Y-style the pitman arm is tied directly to the passenger wheel steering knuckle - Newer T-style the steering knuckles are joined by a single rod and the pitman arm joins this rod near to the passenger wheel. Think the Y-style wears tires more in sharp turns than the T-style as the tires track differently.

 

It has the steering upgrade. It has toyos on it right now but they along with the rims are questionable at best.I wouldnt doubt them have belt damage

 

That would do'er too.

 

Watch for play while someone turns the steering wheel back and forth (with the engine off, but the key on so the steering doesn't lock), you might find a loose joint somewhere. The intermediate shaft (between the steering wheel and the steering box) can be suspect too.

 

How's the pitman arm??

 

I would lay under the front of the truck and do as a previous poster suggested. With the switch on, have someone turn the wheel back and forth to look for joints or bushings with excessive play. Mine was the upper track bar bushing until I added the Carli piece. Good luck.

 

Theyre all new. This is still stumping me

 

Intermediate shaft and steering box too? They can wear out and cause play.

 

Have new redhead box. Haven't found any problems with shaft. Although the adjuster for the sector shaft has loosened to hand tightness so gotta fix that now