so i have heard dodge owner in the past state that these 2nd gens are known for having "****ty", "sloppy" steering. can someone elaborate on what this is, the cause, and some solutions?

i know people have tightened something on the steering box, but to someone that doesn't know what sloppy steering is, that fix means nothing right now.

appreciate it yall


then again, i have nothing to compare the steering to and my steering wheel sits crooked so i feel like i over compensate when i drive...

 

sloppy steering is to driving, what being last at a gang b... is oops, never mind.

steering box is prone to early wear, and a lot play in the steering wheel.
track bar is weak and poorly designed, prone to wear, which causes steering wander.
wear in ball joints, track bar, tie rods, etc can stack up and cause poor steering.

 

There is also a bushing in the steering column that seems to contribute to crappy steering...... The steering box itself can be adjusted.... and that can compensate somewhat for its weaknesses... There is a procedure in the service manual, but, that requires pulling the box off the truck. (this is something I plan to do when time permits.... might try and do a write-up of the process... see what happens with that.)

 

You can adjust the steering box without pulling it off.

 

If you really want to see what sloppy steering is like then take your sway bar off and give the wheel a quick jerk while rolling down the road.

 

My truck hasn't had a sway bar for years. It doesn't make a bit of difference in the handling. I got tired of the noise so I just yanked it off.

My Expy definitely doesn't have a sway bar!

 

Yes, you certainly can. It is just FAR easier to do BOTH adjustments with the box clamped in a vice. If you just adjust the set screw on top of the pitman shaft, yeah, that's quick, painless, and easy with the box on the truck, but, if you want to adjust the sector shaft pre-load as well...... taking the box off makes that job infinitely easier.

 

Neither does mine! I broke it

 

You do any towing with your truck? How does it handle without the sway bar? (I am considering yanking mine, to get a bit more flex.....)

 

I would never run without my sway bar except off road. I have tried it. Any kind of cross wind and my truck acted like a drunk weaving and rolling all over. Turning corners isn't bad but I'd hate to attempt an emergency move.

But since installing my disconnects, I'd never run my sway bar off road either, or at least the off roading I did. It isn't just the bit extra flex, but the fact that the front axle follows the terrain and doesn't take the body with it. The jerky bumpy slap you from side to side effect is almost eliminated when the bar is diconnected.

Just an FYI, the sway bar also acts as a limiter to help keep your springs from coming out of thier mounts. So before if you remove your bar and get into something embarassing, I'd suggest some limit straps to keep things in place.