Stering Jerky on bumps

A couple of weeks ago I bought my wife a used 2000 Dodge ram extended cab. The same day I got it I put some 20" rims on it then I put the old 20" tires from my truck on it since we were not able to get some new tires for it till this weekend.

The first week she drove it she complained about the steering being jerky when she hit a bump or pot hole so this week I drove her truck I noticed the same thing and decided that this weekend we will get a stering stabalizer for it and see if this helps. Then it decided to rain. Thats when all hell broke loose. it was basicly not drivable in the rain cause the stering was all over the place. I looked at the tires and decided that they are just about bald so they are probably not cutting the water very well so this weekend I am going to have all new tires installed.

Do you think that this will improve things by adding the new tires? Or do I need to look into a stering stabalizer as well and then maybe even in to other front end issues. Let me know what you think.

Is The Stering Loose All The Time Or Just When You Hit A Bump? And Is "loose" Even The Word To Use?

Not sure if loose is the word or not.

It is not jerky like that at all. On a smoth paved road all drives perfect of cource the truck can turn on a dime but the stering is fine. If you hit a bump or a pot hole or something going lets say 30+ MPH then you feel the stering kinda jerk off corse. kinda like it would if you hit a large water puddle but multiple the effect by 5 or so.

An of corse in rain it is a constant thing and well very dangerious.

a stabilizer may or may not help. is the truck a 2wd, or 4wd? if it's 4wd, the first thing I'd check would be the track bar, as well as all the other joints in the steering linkage for excessive play.

2WD.

I think it will be a combination of things and I think that that the bald tires on the front are the first place to start. then I will check the rest

Yeah good idea. Bald tires and water don't mix.

My steering has been getting kind loose for the last couple of years. I kind of drive my truck like the people in the old black and white movies, the wheel is going all over the place, but the truck is going straight.

There's a couple posts here on steering issues. One of the concerns was worn shocks in the front end, which let it bounce all over the place.

The second concern was that there is a piece in the steering column under the hood which allows freeplay in the steering; once replaced it took care of the play in the steering wheel.

And bald tires + rain = need new vehicle.

There's a couple posts here on steering issues. One of the concerns was worn shocks in the front end, which let it bounce all over the place.

The second concern was that there is a piece in the steering column under the hood which allows freeplay in the steering; once replaced it took care of the play in the steering wheel. Which part is it?

I am interested also. I have the exact same truck except for bald tires. I notice it more so when in curves and hitting a bump. At highway speeds it never is enough to throw me off my line but it is a bit disconcerting.

If you can afford the pimp wheels, you can afford the rubber to put on them.

Driving on bald tires is dangerous. Don't be silly.

Which part is it?

I'm not sure but I think it was a sleeve or junction between the two halves of the steering column. It's under "death wobble", do a search and you should find it.

Go here:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/search.php?searchid=759046

Put new tires on and got a front end alignment 90% better now.

Going to look into a sterring stabalizer now.

Don't forget your shocks.

k thanks