Steering slop upgrade!
#1
Steering slop upgrade!
I was searching Craigs List the other day and found a posting of a steering system upgrade for Dodge Ram pickups and after looking at the guys website I decided to try it out, especially since I recently replaced my steering gear box because it was leaking so bad out the bottom.
His therory is there is too much frame flex which gives the steering system a lot of free play so he has a cross member that is added above the front sway bar that ties the two frame rails together plus you remove the factory pitman arm retaining nut and install the one provided in the kit that has a machined surface that fits a bearing installed in the cross member to support the bottom of the gear box.
Installation is very easy any only takes about 30 minutes as he advertises. First drop the sway bar down, I used a floor jack to hold it in place and control the movement. Then install the pitman arm retaining nut supplied in the kit, then install the cross member above the sway bar, and move the sway bar up into position and install the longer bolts that come in the kit. Then install the bearing holder/bearing on the cross member and pitman arm retaining nut and you are set. Below are the pictures of the pieces and the install.
I have only driven the new setup for an hour or so around town the morning, but what a HUGE IMPROVEMENT to the steering on my 2500 4x4. I think I have a little slop in the steering column and I think if I install the fix from rock solid I will be set. I totally recommend this kit to everyone with a Ram pickup! Total price of the kit was 120 and it included free shipping. Arrived very quickly from time I placed order. I cant help but think his theroy is good and that the excess frame flex overall is harder on all the steering and suspension components wearing them out a lot sooner than they should.
Jeff
His therory is there is too much frame flex which gives the steering system a lot of free play so he has a cross member that is added above the front sway bar that ties the two frame rails together plus you remove the factory pitman arm retaining nut and install the one provided in the kit that has a machined surface that fits a bearing installed in the cross member to support the bottom of the gear box.
Installation is very easy any only takes about 30 minutes as he advertises. First drop the sway bar down, I used a floor jack to hold it in place and control the movement. Then install the pitman arm retaining nut supplied in the kit, then install the cross member above the sway bar, and move the sway bar up into position and install the longer bolts that come in the kit. Then install the bearing holder/bearing on the cross member and pitman arm retaining nut and you are set. Below are the pictures of the pieces and the install.
I have only driven the new setup for an hour or so around town the morning, but what a HUGE IMPROVEMENT to the steering on my 2500 4x4. I think I have a little slop in the steering column and I think if I install the fix from rock solid I will be set. I totally recommend this kit to everyone with a Ram pickup! Total price of the kit was 120 and it included free shipping. Arrived very quickly from time I placed order. I cant help but think his theroy is good and that the excess frame flex overall is harder on all the steering and suspension components wearing them out a lot sooner than they should.
Jeff
#7
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#9
i thought about getting one but my dual steering stabilizer already bumps into my pitman arm when my truck flexes, and that extra support looks like it hangs about another 3'' lower.
as for the rock solid steering fix, it helped out alot but now when i hit a bump it sounds like my steering wheel is bouncing up and down.
as for the rock solid steering fix, it helped out alot but now when i hit a bump it sounds like my steering wheel is bouncing up and down.