Please Help...Bad Steering!

[broken_prop]

2000 dodge ram 1500 5.9l. Just replaced upper and lower ball joints on both sides along with all four shocks and front breaks and all four tires. Had it aligned and now the truck seems to speratically pull to the left or right(as if just passed a semi and the airflow changed) and is hard to keep control in straight.tire place had the truck 3 times now and problem still present. Problem seems very dangerous to me. PS fluid is good. Any Idea what could be the problem? I just want my truck back to normal. Jerry

[Chris Stewart]

Well Jerry, you still have tie rod ends, drag link and idler arm that can wear out and put slop in your steering.
If yours is a 4WD, the trackbar, which keeps the front differential centered, can get worn and drive as you describe...I changed my trackbar with very good results back in August.

[WHATDIDYOUBREAKNOW]

have someone turn the steering while you look underneath to see what is loose

[broken_prop]

Had the truck back in a fouth time and they got it better but not great at all. Tire shop keeps saying that the problem is that I went from a highway tire to a mud tire. I got the bf goodrich all terain. first I dont think that the tread is all that aggressive second I know many people that have this tire on same and/or similar trucks. I have never heard of a highway safe tire affecting the steering. is this true, anyone experiencing the same problem. This problem is starting to drive me crazy.

Thanks,
Jerry

[rockwood84]

can you still adjust a screw on the steering box to take out slack? i know in the '70s you could don't know about newer ones.

[HEMIDAZE]

A common problem for a "wandering" truck is the toe in is set wrong. Maybe your alignment place has some defective equipment (or defective mechanic). Take it to a different place and have them check the toe in.

[HV2JEEP]

Definatily the track bar. I had the same problem. The axel shifts when the body roles wich changes the distance from the steering box to the tirod end. This is what makes it shift back and forth. When you replace it buy an aftermarket track bar with a heim joint they cost about the same as a stock but last longer and when it does ware out you just need to buy a new end $30.00. try this site this is the one I bought.

www.dodgeram.info/tech/mods/trackbar/index.html

[pistolpeterson]

Originally Posted by HV2JEEP

Definatily the track bar. I had the same problem. The axel shifts when the body roles wich changes the distance from the steering box to the tirod end. This is what makes it shift back and forth. When you replace it buy an aftermarket track bar with a heim joint they cost about the same as a stock but last longer and when it does ware out you just need to buy a new end $30.00. try this site this is the one I bought.

www.dodgeram.info/tech/mods/trackbar/index.html

I have a 2000 Ram 4x4 and it has loose steering too, as well as a multitude of other problems. After reading this post, I'm seriously considering replacing the track bar. The transmission is getting rebuilt right now and the heater core and evap are next I guess. They probably don't last as long in a 4x4 that goes off road.

Thanks for replying to that guys post, there's no telling how many folks you helped.