i think it's about time for a new one. mine is starting to leak. on my 08.

I've read in a few places to get the stock Mopar one w/the bearing at one end. and i've read other places that just a good one from napa/autozone/etc will be just as good.

is the rancho or bilstein or fox really worth the coin?

 

I seem to remember it not being required, but that's just a fuzzy memory. 

Well that was a spooky 5 minute ride, i installed the "new"  "heavy duty" rancho steering damper. get up to 70, bump in road and death wobble!!!! scared me something fierce.

So, the new parts are on order, along with a mopar damper. this is my first experience with the dreaded death wobble.

 

Edited September 24, 20177 yr by Killer223

Can't say you're helping my already bad view of Rancho..... junk is junk, regardless of what they charge. 

yeah well i just ordered the net steering parts,

so. I'ma have to drive my 04 or the Ranger till this gets here then I'll return the Rancho junk.

next is finding a shop that can align it correctly. i know i can get close. but here in this small town... not likely.

 

Order Number: 114-5158317-4017829

Mopar 68039930AA Pitman Arm will be shipped to Heath Goodrich by Amazon.com.
Estimated delivery: Sept. 28, 2017 - Oct. 3, 2017

Bilstein 33-170794 Monotube Steering Damper, Front 46mm will be shipped to Heath Goodrich by Amazon.com.
Estimated delivery: Sept. 28, 2017 - Oct. 3, 2017

Order Number: 114-5206707-9389848

Mopar Steering Steering will be shipped to Heath Goodrich by MOPAR Parts Direct.
Estimated delivery: Sept. 28, 2017 - Oct. 3, 2017

The photo shows AH as the revision, but I think Mopar is up to AL. You want to make sure it's not a recalled revision before you install it. 

in the description it states...

so i'm hoping it's the correct one.

next on the bank account draining spree is a new clutch,

then pending how that goes it'll be an raceme ultra.

Technical Details

Brand	Mopar
Item Weight	60 pounds
Product Dimensions	65 x 6 x 10 inches
Manufacturer Part Number	52122362AL
OEM Part Number	52122362AL
Folding	No

i may have linked you to the wrong one.. here is the one i ordered.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N4YPPAO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Looks better! 

do you think i should gt an adjustable track bar? or just replace the bushings?

yes= what one?

 

I thought about an adjustable trac bar, but for what little lift I have it was a big cost for minimal gain. 

 

I did replace the bushings while I had the front end apart for steering though. I used mevotech for those as well. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008QE0YLW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

i'm not sure what ones to order, all the parts listings i see, years are 03-07, 08-12... so i'm guessing i need

https://www.genosgarage.com/product/trackbar-bushings-rp22442/trackbar-rebuild

 

I've tested mine best i could with it still in the truck and see no play in the joints.

I think i'll leave it be for now, and when my other parts come in i'll take it all apart and see what if anything needs replaced.

could always get OEM from mopar in a pinch. The 08 is a street queen, so i have no need to worry about off-road abuse.

All the control arms are in good shape, took bottle jack close to the yoke and got very little movement in them, they are rubber some some play is to be expected. but it was not easy to see. so i suspect the joints are in good working order.

I think i'll try and tackle the alignment my self. might fallow this way.

or maybe this on at the 10 minute mark.

 

 

Not sure if I'm coming into this thread too late.....but just adding that I have Rancho 9000's.  They've been on the truck for many years and work amazing.  Love the adjust-ability for towing.

Also, I cant speak for the steering component issues you may be suffering from but a steering dampener wont stop DW.  Whatever is causing DW is likely because of caster adjustment in relation to excess component movement.  

1 hour ago, KATOOM said:

Not sure if I'm coming into this thread too late.....but just adding that I have Rancho 9000's.  They've been on the truck for many years and work amazing.  Love the adjust-ability for towing.

Also, I cant speak for the steering component issues you may be suffering from but a steering dampener wont stop DW.  Whatever is causing DW is likely because of caster adjustment in relation to excess component movement.  

What does caster have to do with DW? I have only experienced DW when my tires were on there last leg. New tires, no more DW. That is only in the last 100k or last 2 sets of tires.

22 minutes ago, dripley said:

What does caster have to do with DW? I have only experienced DW when my tires were on there last leg. New tires, no more DW. That is only in the last 100k or last 2 sets of tires.

 

Caster is what determines the force placed on or exerted by the front tires (gyroscopic point of axis) onto the steering system and road force.  By changing the caster angle you effectively move the steer axis farther forward or backward from neutral (positive or negative).

 

Without getting more complicated than that.....when you move the steer axis negative then the tires steering response becomes faster and more twitchy.  But when you move the steer axis positive the opposite happens as the steering response becomes slower and more lackadaisical (per say).

 

By setting the caster on these solid axle trucks too negative over that of positive, the road force transmits back into the steering components as the tires become more reactionary to both your steering input and the force of the road placed on them.  This causes excessive wear and tear as the components are forced to absorb all this.  Over time the wear causes slight movement over tolerance and you can get DW simply based on the exaggeration of all the movements combined.  Things like old tires will transmit more jarring force too.  Moving the caster more positive lessens the force and creates a more "mellow" feel in the steering, which also removes some of the force transmitted.

 

The best analogy I've ever been able to think up is shopping carts.  Shopping cart wheels are negative caster and most of us have probably experience those carts with the wildly shaking front wheel(s).  Definitely annoying while pushing it down the store isles, but the same event happening in your truck can be dangerous.

Thanks for the explanation. The few times it has happened to me has been no fun and I am sure the shock to front end has taken its toll. It has tried to empty the pockets on my doors every time it has happened.

4 hours ago, KATOOM said:

Not sure if I'm coming into this thread too late.....but just adding that I have Rancho 9000's.  They've been on the truck for many years and work amazing.  Love the adjust-ability for towing.

Also, I cant speak for the steering component issues you may be suffering from but a steering dampener wont stop DW.  Whatever is causing DW is likely because of caster adjustment in relation to excess component movement.  

 

then explain how i have zero loose components, the only thing changed was the steering damper, and i got DW, i went back to the stock leaking one, and it's gone.... I'm competent enough to be turning wrenches also.

 

is it hard to adjust the 9000's inside the front coils?

Edited September 26, 20177 yr by Killer223

19 hours ago, Killer223 said:

 

then explain how i have zero loose components, the only thing changed was the steering damper, and i got DW, i went back to the stock leaking one, and it's gone.... I'm competent enough to be turning wrenches also.

 

is it hard to adjust the 9000's inside the front coils?

 

I'm not claiming that every DW issue is a result of improper caster but merely pointing out that its a huge variable in the cause of DW.....and possible solution if applied correctly.

Think of it like shocks...  If your tires are perfectly round and balanced to the gram then they will roll glass smooth...until they come in contact with a bump.  But even though shocks are only there for those bumps in the road, most people try to solve their tire issues with stronger shocks.

 

I forgot to answer your question about the 9000's.....  I dont adjust the fronts.  They're always at a higher setting like 7 - 8.  But the rears are easy access and I set them at 2 - 3 empty and 8 - 9 when towing heavy.  Well usually only when I'm hooked up to the 5th wheel otherwise the chucking is bad.  Hope that helps.

Edited September 27, 20177 yr by KATOOM

it does thank you.

 

Well pleasant  surprise today. my new steering parts came in. but well someone messed up, i received 2 boxes. same part numbers, same shipping numbers, two boxes with the same tag... looking at my online receipt, i was only charged for one. the conundrum, what to do with the second set...  send it back? or their mistake and keep it...

Open them up and look first

they are two identical boxes. i just installed the parts on one truck, have a whole nether set for another truck, i'd put it on my 04 but it's already got the new parts with about 25K on them.

i got new track bar bushing with the intention of replacing when i had everything off... but well, they were in good order. so i'm not going to fight getting them out,