the steering brace is designed to stop flex in the frame. It boxes the front end of the frame. If the frame flexes, the steering box attached to it moves.

1/4" toe is way to much toe...it will cause irregular tire wear. 10* total toe, which is the spec, equates to 1/32" toe in.

 

I agree. I run zero toe. But a lot of posts and shops say 1/4" so apparently it depends on the truck and tire setup.

The brace doesn't lock the box in when the frame flexes (otherwise the linkage would get destroyed or wreck the box anyway). It is designed to allow the box's shaft to move with the frame since the bearing pivots in its seat. The only thing I can see the brace does is box-end the frame. Since I have years of both using one and not, I'm trusting Dodge once again and leaving it off, in case it destroyed the first Redhead I had. Haven't noticed any need for one again. If it makes you sleep better, go ahead and spend the money.

 

It lends lateral stability to the pitman shaft as well, which helps save the bearings and seals therein. Supposedly......

Dodge Off-Road makes one that doesn't tie across the frame, but, just bolts into the 'corner' of the frame by the box, so, stabilizes the box, but, doesn't try and break things when the frame flexes. Not cheap though.

 

...and they would be wrong.... and in short time have scrubbed off noisy tires that sound like growling bearings.

 

not what i said...the box design is to stop the frame flex back that resonates back and forth during death wobble.
if you think its junk, by all means don't use it.

I'm dealing with a brand new truck 3500 dually with 20 000 miles on it...nothing is worn. new track bar didn't fix it, dual stabilizers didn't fix it...now its my turn and guess what its getting next...bar and alignment. The poor guy spent 80 000 on a truck he can't drive. diagnose it, make love to it...but eventually ya gotta fix it.

 

Okay, whatever you say. If you're dealing with 3rd and 4th gens, then I am no help here. And you're in the wrong forum.

My final thoughts: I ran the Spohn version of the DSS (Darrin's Steering Stabilizer) for several years and it helped minutely with play on my OEM steering. After replacing the linkage with T setup and getting a working Redhead, there is absolutely zero play and it rides bumps like on rails. It may help with some worn out trucks, but it is really a bandaid to mask problem components. If everything is new and tight, these trucks drive great. Just like mine did from 2001-08 and does currently.

 

I'm pretty sure my original post says...if everything checks out...try a brace.

the purpose of the brace is to fix a problem inherent to the design. wonder why ifs systems don't get death wobble?

 

Mainly because they don't have a track bar.

The brace is mainly to stabilize the pitman shaft, and also helps to prevent frame cracking around the bolts that hold the steering box on.

 

looking at the brace design...
supporting the sector shaft could be done without running a cross brace from frame rail to frame rail. It is my contention the cross brace serves a second purpose.


as a loose box fix as some have suggested...a high point adjustment would serve better. the bearings in the box are stronger than the set screw centered bearing in the kit.