Here's the story:

While driving, usually on the highway, and turning the wheel it as almost as if the truck turns and then the linkage slips a little and then catches again. So during the turn I have to turn harder to maintain the same turn. In general, the truck wonders around the lanes quite a bit too.

I've been told that it could be the drop pitman arm could be stripped out....

Thoughts?

 

It's not just taking up the slop?

Do you have a DSS? Its key when running a drop pitman but won't make up for a worn steering box.Are the rest of the steering parts in good enough condition to hold a good alignment?

 

Sounds like the track bar is kaput.

 

My pitman bolt/nut actually loosened up once. Check it first. make sure sector or pitman is not chewed up if it is.

Got an engine oil leak? could have wore out sway bar bushings by being saturated in oil.

Wore joints or box? GO w/ PSC and be done with it.

 

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is PSC. I'm having some of the same issues.

 

PSC (power steering components) http://www.pscmotorsports.com is a steering brace...look here: http://www.pscmotorsports.com/sb100-...izer-p-90.html

it helps a lot combat the death wobble
many others sells this brace, BD Diesel, DSS..
rob

 

I will swear by the PSC. Put it in and it's a different truck. I almost don't think I need an alignment now since it tightened up the steering so much....

 

I doubt its the trac bar as I have a thuren trac bar....

And the truck is not lifted, so drop pitman arm is just the stock one.....

Thoughts? Where would you start?

I've been looking at a dss.....

 

start by having someone turn the wheel with the key on but not running. get under the truck and watch/feel all of the tie rod ends, steering box, steering shaft and control arm bushings. you'll see and feel if there's much play in any particular joint.
***BE CAREFUL! WHEEL CHOCKS, PARKING BRAKE, NEVER TOO SAFE!***

 

Ive been having the same trouble. I have the solid steel brace and the track bar bracket for a 2003 track bar also. My truck is all over the road. While having a friend turn the wheel and observing I can see a good amount of deflection in the steering knuckle. Like the box is moving. I was talking to psc about changing the box and they said it is kind of a bad design anyway. I'm considering upgrading the steering box to a 3rd gen. Im not definitely sure of what all is needed but was told that the box and pit man arm as well as lines needed to be changed. Also the frame needs to be re drilled. It would be nice to change over because the steering ratio would be better considering it cuts down the lock to lock by 1 turn. Faster ratio. Any input would be appreciated.

The problem is probably from the steering box being worn

These guys are on to something.
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/98...ering-box.html

 

there is a fab guy at nwbombers.com (user name mudinchev or something like that) that makes a kit to put the 3rd gen ox on a 2nd gen truck. check this thread http://www.nwbombers.com/forums/inde...ing+conversion

 

I found 2 problems My end link on the passenger side rear swaybar is disconnected and front swaybar mount is softened up from too much oil. Need to be replaced.

 

So it looks like the first place to start is to order a dss..... the one from psc seems to be the cheapest (190ish shipped to me)... Then it looks like a new/check out pitman arm. Where should I get a stock one from?

Thanks...

 

anyone????

 

You can probably find a stock pitman arm at a 4x4 shop from someone who put on a lift and longer drop pitman arm.


I just finished rebuilding the entire front end on mine. If your box is shot it's shot, mine had a 1/4" + of play on the sector shaft it at 63k. The track bar and new steering box made the biggest difference. After looking at rebuilt boxes and hearing the horror stories of the rebuilt box crap shoot, I got one from Redhead in Seattle. That box is nice and tight, but I'm going to install a brace next to keep it that way.