Posted by Keith in Washington [162.158.104.185] on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 11:39:29 :
In Reply to: Re: Steering stuff. posted by Clint Dixon [108.162.216.8] on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 10:13:39 :
I agree with Clint. There is an underlying issue. I say this because of your comment that youn only seem to have issues when you hit a bump in the road. What is happening is the bump gives the tire a good shake which would normally not cause an issue when everything is tight as it dampened out by the steering and suspension as they will not move. However, when something is worn or loose the tire will continue to shake because it can due to the slop and the shaking can amplify through the steering and suspension system. Check everything. Tie rod ends, drag link ends, steering box adjustment, spring pins and bushings, wheel bearings, bolts on steering arm and box, king pin bearing adjustment, and wheel balance. A steering dampener will reduce the shaking a little but it will do little if the problem is in the wheel bearings or tie rod ends. Modern trucks, especially Dodge pickups, commonly have what is called death "wobble" when the hit a bump it is caused by poor quality steering parts that quickly wear out. There has been quite a fight between owners and Dodge over this and Dodge finally admitted the issue and is fixing some trucks. All of these trucks have steering dampeners that were overcome by the vibrations.
Another source of your problem could be much simpler. If your truck has been lifted by arching the springs you could have "bump steer". With a lift you must either use a longer pitman arm on the steering box or a modified drag link. If you don't, when the springs compress the steering arm pushes against the drag link which will not move so the movement turns the wheels and the truck jumps/turns usually to the right. This is caused by the steering geometry being messed up when the lift was installed.
Whatever your issue is, look into the cause before you put a bandaid on it.