I have a 99 1500 ram ext cab 5.9.

The problem I am having is the truck likes to steer itself right or left. I guess you can say it wanders Which causes me to have to over steer at times. I replaced the steering box. tires are new. tie rods all seem tight and in good shape. Nothing seems loose or worn.

I'm at a lose for what can be causing this. Has anyone else had this trbl? What was the cause?

Any help or advice on what to check would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

 

Check the trac bar. Of course we don't know if it is a 4x4 or not because you don't have any info in your sig about your truck.

 

LOL sorry, yes it's 4x4

 

yes check your track bar, if youve never replaced it, its probably time. also check the intermidiate shaft between the firewall and steering box, alot of times the u-joint or the splines wear out causing slop

 

there really isn't any slop in the steering. just wandering while driving the thing. It will wander left then right. no set pattern just seemd to wander all over the road

 

Any good aftermarket track bars you would advise looking into?

Thanks by the way for the replies.

 

I've got a related question.

How hard is it to replace a track bar? My truck wanders too, and like the OP everything seems to be ok as far as the steering components go, and the steering wheel is tight.

 

the track bar is about a 20min fix if youve done it before. you'll have to get an alignment when your all done because your toe will be out of whack. I have found the best way to do it is to leave the truck on the ground, take the castle nut off the ball joint on the driver side frame rail, undo the bolt on the axle on the passanger side and use a pickle fork to seperate the balljoint. You may need to twist the bar to get it out, but the install is the reverse. Install the lower bolt, and have a buddy hop in the truck and with it running (for power steering) get them to turn the wheel so it moves the frame/body to the left (away from the track bar) this will give you lots of room to line up the balljoint with the hole, then when its lined up get them to steer the opposite way and hold it while you put the new nut on and tighten.

 

come to think of it, you may be able to eliminate using the pick fork to seperate the old balljoint, try getting your buddy in the truck to steer away from the bar when the old nut is off. I dont know if there is enough power to do it, but its worth a shot. It would save a bit of time and some hammering.