So this 4wd 98 I just picked up is all over the road. Ive replaced all tie rods, both wheel hub assemblies and shocks and springs, it was all shot, except for the R hub assembly. Springs both had rubber spacers between the coils and shocks had no rebound. I had an alignment set at 0.07 total toe. R side cam bolt has a bent washer so i set those straight up and down. Truck pulls left driving down the road and pulls left when braking. Had small travel trailer in tow yesterday and had to hit the brakes hard in traffic and the truck darted over in the left lane. Track bar is tight but the steering box needs replaced. I did tighten the adjustment on top of the box and it took a lot of slop out but still not all. Ball joints are greaseable and in great shape with no binding. I also put in new sway bar bushings since the old ones were shot. Truck rides so much smoother now with new shocks and springs but just doesn't handle like it should. I cant keep replacing parts if they don't need replacing but I know these trucks can drive great. What do we think? Steering box, control arm bushings, steering shaft? Tires are 285/75R16 toyo open country a/t in great shape but i'm gonna rotate just'' to make sure nothing is going on with that front left tire.

Edited January 22, 20196 yr by 98whitelightnin

Almost too pretty to put on the old dodge

56 minutes ago, 98whitelightnin said:

Almost too pretty to put on the old dodge

Heck yea! Mine is on the way! Mine will get covered with oil right away cause my vacuum pump is leaking lol. 

I thought my vacuum pump was leaking too. Ive been to the car wash several times in the last couple weeks, washing the engine and all under there really good and it turns out, vacuum pump is dry. I ordered the Gould reseal kit (without pvc and dvd) and had every intention of doing it today but ill wait till its actually leaking first. I ran 3 bottles of ps fluid through the system for a good flush before putting this new beauty on. Went ahead and added a steering box brace with the install. Steering is nice and tight now but ive still got to do something about the passenger side cam bolt at the control arm. The washer that is welded to the bolt is bent so I cant add any caster and the bolt has welded itself inside the bushing. Im gonna have to cut the bolt head off and either get a new bushing or control arm.

3 hours ago, 98whitelightnin said:

I thought my vacuum pump was leaking too. Ive been to the car wash several times in the last couple weeks, washing the engine and all under there really good and it turns out, vacuum pump is dry. I ordered the Gould reseal kit (without pvc and dvd) and had every intention of doing it today but ill wait till its actually leaking first. I ran 3 bottles of ps fluid through the system for a good flush before putting this new beauty on. Went ahead and added a steering box brace with the install. Steering is nice and tight now but ive still got to do something about the passenger side cam bolt at the control arm. The washer that is welded to the bolt is bent so I cant add any caster and the bolt has welded itself inside the bushing. Im gonna have to cut the bolt head off and either get a new bushing or control arm.

Awesome glad to hear your steering is tight now.

3 hours ago, 98whitelightnin said:

I thought my vacuum pump was leaking too. Ive been to the car wash several times in the last couple weeks, washing the engine and all under there really good and it turns out, vacuum pump is dry. I ordered the Gould reseal kit (without pvc and dvd) and had every intention of doing it today but ill wait till its actually leaking first. I ran 3 bottles of ps fluid through the system for a good flush before putting this new beauty on. Went ahead and added a steering box brace with the install. Steering is nice and tight now but ive still got to do something about the passenger side cam bolt at the control arm. The washer that is welded to the bolt is bent so I cant add any caster and the bolt has welded itself inside the bushing. Im gonna have to cut the bolt head off and either get a new bushing or control arm.

How is your tappet cover gasket? That thing will make it look like everything is leaking.

Tappet cover gasket is dry. I really cant find anywhere that leaks. There is years of grimy residue on the underside of the motor and all but ive been getting it all cleaned up. The blue top did not come with orings and I think my return line may have been leaking a little. I shot some break clean on it and I'll check it next time i drive. I should have went to the parts store and got some orings.

11 minutes ago, 98whitelightnin said:

Tappet cover gasket is dry. I really cant find anywhere that leaks. There is years of grimy residue on the underside of the motor and all but ive been getting it all cleaned up. The blue top did not come with orings and I think my return line may have been leaking a little. I shot some break clean on it and I'll check it next time i drive. I should have went to the parts store and got some orings.

I wear my scars proudly!!!!