First I would like to introduce myself. I have been in the chapter for a short time, and up until now I never had anything worth adding to the forum. Until now. Does everybody remember about how two or three months ago there was alot of talk about the steering linkage being recalled? Well at that time I called around to find out if I was covered under the recall. And I was told no, no and still no. So I said fine, and I went and purchased a new steering linkage kit (draglink, tierods, etc) from the dealership and was assured that this was the latest and greatest. I installed the new steering components along with the rest of my suspension upgrades (Carli starter kit, plus Carli adjustable track bar, plus a steering box stabilizer, and an Oasis diff. cover). Not more than two weeks after the install, I receive a recall notice that states that I need to have my steering linkage changed. *** OVER!!!!!!!! So I go to my local dealership and the service girl inspects my linkage ( do you know how many good movies have started out like that?). And sure enough, I have the old linkage system. Again, *** OVER!!!!!. That is ok though because the new linkage is on back order and unknow time of arrival. NICE.

 

WOW,, what dealership was that?

Oh,,and welcome!

 

Hey, welcome aboard!

Thanks for shuttling the flywheel and clutch for us! Much appreciated!

I was wondering how that was going to turn out. So the linkage you bought was still the old system??

 

Welcome !!!
And Ya The Steering Up Grade Kits Have Been On Back Order For A Few Months , Dodge Ordered 15000 Of Them FROM Some Place And There Ready To Ship . But Dodge Doesn't Have The Money To Pay For Them , So I Was Told , Guy The I Am Friends With Owns A Few Dodge Dealers ,,,,

 

Can you get your money back on the stuff that you bought? What parts are defective on the steering system. I think that ever year of the four controlbar front end 4X4 dodge has the steering links issue. I just rebuilt my frontend in my truck about 4 months ago or 40k km, and guess what its toast links, steering box and upper ball joints. Man does that get old. I rather change out a VP injection pump than rebuild the entire front end again. My fingers are crossed that my hubs are still good.

At least one good thing is that my brakes are still in good shape.I done lots of gravel lately and some mucky roads. Usually I drive mostly hiway, but this year its been more off road than on highway.

 

Give me a couple weeks and I will have some wheel bearings for you. My EMS lock out hub kit is on order, hopefully I will have a couple days off so I can install it.

 

Mike I read your post, did you mean that the swaybar links were shot? if so here is my version it cost 50$ to make all 4, 96 Caravan greasable swaybar links, cut in 1/2 and welded to the non wearing truck ends.

 

hi-quality cell phone picture... ugggg!

 

How are they holding up?? They look like they could be a little beefier.

 

I'd have to check my reciepts, but its been at least 6months on the rear and the front was less, as for beefier! the pics dont show it but the ball end is at least1.5 times the size of the orginals and the shaft is the same size,(1/2 inch) mine have been lengthened about 3 inches

In 6 months I put 900hrs of use on then pounding them over Edm roads...BTW I know were ever freaking pot hole is in the city(LOL)

 

The bars from the pitman arm down to the passager tire and the bar that goes from the passager tire to the drive side, have wiggles. The joint that goes into the pitman arm is loose and same with the steering gearbox. I have one upper ball joint, that wiggles as well. Put on larger tires, you have a truck that likes to follow every ruts in the road. I bought high end moog bars last time. Next I'm buying splicer stuff, its better and some extreme off-road ball joints.

Tate, let me know how the front hub thing works out for you. So far my hubs are still healthy. I really beat up the front end working up north last week. Those roads up north after all the rain are lots of fun, too bad I don't know how to take it easy on the throttle.

 

Whoa, I like that. I recently replaced the front sway bar ends with MOOG ones and they are greasable. However the rears are near dead, I like that idea.
So you just had the greasable ones welded to the upper ends? sounds simple..

 

Just received a message from the dealership saying that the new parts are in. I think it is a trap! But I am going in anyway. I will keep you posted.

 

Rear swaybar on the leaf packs that these truck run...............

I never bought into that. I tore my rear swaybar 1/2 off my truck 2 months after I got it out at Mclean creek. never replaced it. never noticed a difference loaded or not. no truck I've ever owned actually had a rear swaybar till 'ol smokey. even that didn't last long.

rear swaybars > over rated.

 

Luke, I with you on the rear. The front ones are required. I tired driving my truck without these for awhile, just to see.The truck felt like a cement truck and was all over the road. Where you buying your steering gearboxes from? I bought one from NAPA last year and it toast aready. I went thru three NAPA gearboxes just to find one that I actually was better than the one that I pulled out.