Hi guys...I bought a 99 ram 2500 4x4..It's hard to keep down the middle of the road. I am always needing to adjust the wheel. move the wheel a little to the left she moves alot to the left then turn right a little she goes way right. Is this normal for this year and make. I had a 2004 silverado before and maybe I just need to get used to this..I took it into the alignment shop last night and all the joints seemed fine they said. They also said a alignment would not help this constant over correcting. He recommended changing out the upper and lower ball joints to help loosen it up. He tried wiggling the tires and there was no wiggle. Any input from some dodge owners would help in making my decision. I hate to replace something that isn't broke. 600 bucks to do all 4.

Thanks

 

Just a quick sidenote, the steering box looks newer also.

 

Turn the steering wheel back and forth and note how far it moves before the tires start to turn. If they have more than a quarter turn in play then you will either need a steering box adjustment or a new box depending on how bad it is.

 

Check the trac bar, have someone turn the steering wheel left to right while you look at all the steering components and see which ones are loose.

 

take your steering stabilizer off and see if there is any change in steering for a short slow trip. i'm not sure how to check if that thing is bad but i bet that it would make the truck wander on the road if it were.

 

It's all over the road and the shop wants to 'loosen it up'? That doesn't make sense to me.
The joints are all good and no wiggle but they want to replace the ball joints? That doesn't make sense to me either.
Is it the origional track bar?
Are the shocks still good?
Is there any noise from the front end?
These trucks need a little extra toe so an alignment may help.

 

Just got back from second estimate...same thing...too tight..want to change 2 or 4 ball joints..seized up they say...maybe it sat on the lot for a long time...maybe they will loosen by themselves...maybe need to go four wheeling!!they say i could loosen the tie things and could tell if only one side needs it.

 

I've never heard of ball joints being too stiff. If they were completely dry and rusted, I would think it would be hard and rough to turn. Not too sloppy. If they were that shot, they should be loose though (worn and sloppy).
Get someone to turn the wheel in the driveway and watch the tie rod end attached to the frame. If it's the origional, I'd start there.

 

Couldn't it be the toe-in balance and the tires as well? You might want to check the tires for choppiness in the tread, you might want to rotate and balance the tires.

 

an easy way to rule out the ball joints is to get a tie rod separator (loan a tool) and take your tie rod off then grab the knuckle and rotate it back and forth. it should move easily, if not then either your ball joints are bad or the u joints are seized. u joints will normally move in the caps if they are bad and make a clicking noise so if they are good then it will make it easier to diagnose the ball joints.