I have had steering issues for the 8 years I have had the truck. I finally blew out the steering gear and it jammed... So I bit the bullet and bought a Rock Ram hydraulic assist kit because I plan on 35 to 37 inch tires. It came with a new pump, rebuilt steering gear, the cylinder, hoses and hardware. I got it on the truck, and the steering is strong and smooth, don't get me wrong, but the road feel is completely gone. I also still feel play in the system. I was wondering if maybe a hydro assist system needs additional caster/camber? What do you think?

 

The slop will be in the mechanical linkage, not the hydraulics. Go thru the system starting with the steering column, and what's still sloppy. (having a friend help makes the job a LOT easier.)

 

I called AGR, they said to put 100 miles on the system and take it to someone that knew alignment. He said that additional camber / caster should help it self-straighten.....

 

Caster is the only adjustment you get. Camber isn't adjustable without jumping thru some seriously expensive hoops.

 

On a related note, how can you tell if your springs are worn out? I have like 2 inches of down travel before I bottom out ( and I constantly bottom out...) against the bumpstops

 

Compare your ride height with other trucks..... Front or back?

 

Fronts, my rears seem fine. Is there a certain desirable ground -to-frame measurement?

 

Probably... It might even be listed in the service manual somewhere..... but, I don't know what it is.

 

While your springs might indeed be shot, that complaint usually means the shocks are bad.

 

Brand new, overpriced Monroe shocks (the yellow ones) are on it. I can't afford new ones yet.