Finally got my ball joints replaced. What a difference... but now I've got some wander going on. What do I replace next? Tie rod ends? Control arms? Track bar?

What's the most likely suspect for the next step?

Truck is a 2003 2500 4WD QC LB - stock.

Thanks!

 

Check the U-Joint on the steering colunm where it connects to the steering box. When they get worn it feels like steering to go straight. There are three different ways to fix it. Borgeson makes a heavy duty shaft for about $290. Dodge sells the joint and the coupling for about $90. Or you can take a micrometer to the U-joint caps, spread from cap to cap(exteral) and locking clip to locking clip (internal) and spend $5 at NAPA And swap it yourself. I just did mine, I'll see if I can find the scrap paper with the #s on it or the NAPA slip.

 

The track bar is a huge culprit with wandering and death wobble on these trucks. Definitely check that, along with all the steering components as well.

How did your hubs look when you changed the ball joints. Did you get them off without destroying them ?

 

Before you spend any money trying to correct the issue, check your tire pressure!

Tierod ends and your rack could be of culprit.
How much play in the steering wheel left-right is there without movement of the tires? Easiest way is to turn the key in the On position but don't start. Then feel the play in the stering wheel.

Only other option is to have an alignment done. If you didn't have wander before the balljoints, then you just need an alignment as you are suppose to have one done after ANY front end component change including BJ's.

 

Hubs were fine. They came off with the socket and power steering method without too much trouble. Post bj alignment complete. The steering wheel is straight now when going down the road where before it was held at about the 11 o'clock position to go straight. Tire pressure is correct.

It tracks straight, so it's not a loose wander, but when making a turn or changing lanes, it just feels a bit loose and takes more "attention" to recenter and settle the steering down. A change in the crown of the road can set it adrift, but bumps don't seem to cause the problem now with the new bjs. It may even be normal and I just need to re-adjust to having the new bjs in place, but it still feels like there is something just a little loose or worn.

I haven't had the chance to go move the steering wheel with the engine off yet. Going to do that this morning; I'll have the wife do that while I'm under the truck watching the various parts.

 

What replacement ball joints did you use? I have heard of people who install those high end Carli units that they do not seem to return to center very well at first, but get better after some use.

 

Went with Dynatracs... because the Carlis are on backorder until March.

The wheel re-centers fine. I've seen that, too, so it was one of the first things I checked, but the steering box (usual culprit) seems good so far.

I'm going to crawl under the front end today and have my wife wiggle the steering wheel (engine off) to see if I can see anything loose. Then off to the parts store and the Auto Hobby Shop to get my hands dirty!

 

Looks like the tie rods were the culprit. Replaced them all... and boy were they loose! The joints were flopping around in their sockets like wet noodles.

Hopefully this'll be it for a while!

 

Yeah, that would surely have something to do with it

Was the track bar good to go?

 

Sorry I missed all the find but glad to hear you found the issues and got them all resolved? So it drives like a new truck now?