98 dodge ram 1500 Sport

I have almost entirely new front end parts (1 new hub, 4 ball joints, tie rod, center link, drag bar link, adjustable track bar, etc) truck has a 4" lift. We did not replace the steering stabilizer because after taking it out and testing it, it worked fairly well.

I also have this sitting on some 34" Mickey Thompsons with a really aggressive pattern, so I'm sure that only complicates the issue.

Also has recently had an alignment and it does not pull when going straight.

I'm not sure if what Im getting is pulling, or bump steer, because it feels like I have both... When the road has wear patterns where the center is higher than the sides where the wheels ride, i feel the truck pulling as if I'm riding in someone's ruts.

I also get some degree of bump steer on slight bumps, but not on extreme bumps. IE train tracks don't bother me, but imperfections in the road pavement do.

We tried adjusting the steering box, to take out some of the play and its nice and tight now. I have a small power steering fluid leak at the bottom of the steering box at the pitman arm shaft.

 

How are your shocks?? Various bushings that hold the axle in place? Got a dropped pitman arm to go with the 4" of lift?

 

the shocks seem ok. the pitman arm is dropped and the angle is pretty good.

where are the axle bushings?

the sway bar bushings are a bit worn, but they aren't shot.

 

I'm still looking for ideas.

Could it be a bad steering box? What are the symptoms of a steering box going? Like I said, it has a fluid leak, but I'm not sure if that means its bad, because from what I've read the leak is fairly common.

 

Those big tires don't help bump steer. Are you sure the steering stabilizer is in good order? That's what it's designed to control.

 

Hhhmmm, one of my posts seems to have fallen by the wayside.....

Have a look at the control arm bushings, see if there is any slop there. Track bar should be good, since you replaced it recently, but, checking it again sure wouldn't hurt.

Do you have a hard time keeping the steering On-Center? If so, you may have the steering box adjusted TOO tight.

 

it stays perfectly straight driving down a level road - i dont have to correct it at all. but the minute the road has any issues, the truck starts pulling an extreme amount to where if I don't have 2 hands on the wheel, I'm going off the road, or into another lane.

I know the large tires dont help a whole lot, but they are only 10.5" wide and 34" tall, and I put these on when I got it, removing some 12.5" wide tires... and oh buddy was that even worse!

All of the new parts were installed last weekend, and the alignment was done last weekend. The track bar is perfect with no slop.

How would I check for slop in the control arm bushings? It didnt seem to move by hand at all. The bushings aren't flawless, but they don't look like they need replacement.

 

Stick a bar in there and pry on them, see how much they move. A little bit is to be expected. (they are rubber after all....)

Since you have a track bar, I am assuming your truck is a 4x4.... steering geometry shouldn't play a role in bumpsteer for you... gotta be a sloppy linkage or mount somewhere.

 

i'm totally baffled as to what it could be.

we had the steering stabilizer off when we replaced all the front end components. I compared it to a brand new stabilizer i had in my garage for my jeep YJ, and it felt about the same. I don't think it is bad.

if the angle is off where you adjust those caster bolts/cams, what will the symptoms be?

It almost feels like the wheels are wobbly and they just grab the road and decide to go their own way, fighting me.

i'll check those bushings when i get home, but like i said - they didnt look too bad.

 

Insufficient caster generally manifests itself as a tendency for the truck to 'wander' when trying to go in a straight line. Very light over-center steering feel, and really 'easy' steering...... bump steer may be a factor in there too...... I never did like chrysler power steering though, I always though it was WAY over powered. Drove a '10 Charger to chicago last week, and keeping it in the center of the lane on the freeway is a friggin exercise....... Doesn't seem like much has changed there.....

Might want to go back to the alignment shop, and have them increase caster a bit. See if that makes a difference.