My truck had 198000 miles on it, all of the steering, ball joints, track bar,tie rods, and the hubs were original and very worn out. The truck would wander all over the road and you had to saw the steering wheel back and forth to keep it in your lane.


I have had everything replaced, including the stock steering gear box, and that made a huge improvement. I would say its about 85% better than it was, but I still have a problem, the truck still wanders a little and the steering feels heavy.


I was looking into the rock solid ram steering fix, because the bottom of the steering shaft does have some play in it, some were between 1/16 and 1/8 of an inch. so, would doing the rock solid ram steering fix solve the wandering problem ?, and what about the heavy steering feeling ?.

 

The Rocksolid steering fix is not going to solve your issue, it only fixes a loose clunk feeling in the steering shaft. You may have gotten a bad steering gear box. I went thru many before finding a good one at a part store.

 

Check your alignment and caster setting. Also air pressure plays a big role.

 

The alignment and caster, and air pressure are all good, as far as I know.


What would make the steering feel heavy ?.

 

Possible steering pump failing or leak. Mine has been getting heavy and I know my steering box leaks a little

 

As far as I know, the power steering pump is original with 198000 miles on it, so it very well could be the problem.


I`m guessing they can wear out internally, with out showing any signs of leaking or anything else ?.

 

I replaced ball joints, tie rods, front end alignment and it still had the wander. Did the Rock Solid kit and still bad.. I had to take a 1700 mile trip on my 2001 196,000 mile truck and decided to install the steering stabilizer kit that ties the frame together and it made a HUGE difference Well worth the 150.00.

 

I do have a steering stabilizer kit installed, and the wander is still there. Any other ideas ?.

 

I think sledz is referring to a steering box brace, not just a shock on the steering linkage.

 

When you say "everything", did you mean track bar? You didn't list it specifically and it is the first culprit usually.

How are the control arm bushings? Stories have floated around diesel forums of those being culpable for a wandering axle.

My truck didn't wander until a bad alignment was done by a crappy shop. Once anything is changed on the Y setup it is very hard to correct.