Front Steering/Suspension - advice needed

[Burton85]

Hello. Looking to tighten up the front end on my 01' with 225k due to steering wheel play and a little slop. Question I have, do you guys recommend replacing the pitman arm, tie rod, steering damper, track bar, control arms, etc or should I just replace the bushings and any worn out parts? Trying to not break the bank but at the same time I dont want to end up doing the work only to find all new parts were a better route for this repair...Thanks!

[Aggie08]

I plan on getting a steering stabilizer here in a few weeks. Having some of the same symptoms you are having. Sorry I do not have more info

[CUMMINSDIESELPWR]

here is what i did...1 ton steering upgradereplace track barsteering box bracenew ball jointstighten steering boxwhat i plan on doing3rd gen trackbar upgradered top steering gearfirst have someone move steering wheel back and forth with engine running and look at where play is, even the slightest play will give problems that you wont be able to see to carefully put a hand on things and feel what has slop and replace it.

[hex0rz]

http://www.thoroughbreddiesel.com/steering-box-stabilizer.htm ^Give this a try. http://rocksolidramtrucksteering.com/ ^ This too!

[Burton85]

Thanks for the tips guys. Do either of you have a picture of the steering stabilizer bracket/box brace installed?

[CUMMINSDIESELPWR]

not me, its covered in snow and cold out lol

but here is one from the net

oh and when you rock the steering wheel it only takes a gentle rock, not full turns or anything to see play, you just want to put steering pressure on the components and not squish yer hand.

[98whitelightnin]

I also have on of those City Diesel Steering gear box braces and while it helped I think there might be a better unit out there. Of course its more money but Danny, they guy that builds them makes a good point about its design. http://www.dodgeoffroad.com/store_DORbrace2g.php

[98whitelightnin]

Here is a pic of my truck with the brace, 98-99 HD steering and BD 3rd gen track bar.[ATTACH]5092[/ATTACH][ATTACH]5093[/ATTACH]

[CUMMINSDIESELPWR]

i had to put a 5/8" chunk of steel in the trackbar box on the axle side as the hole got wallered out a bit and was causing play. now its tight in the box.not sure what the fix is for it though

[Wild and Free]

After running 3 2nd gens there are only 2 steering mods that need to be done, save your money on the rest.first is to upgrade to the 3rd gen track bar conversion and second is to go with a 3.5 turn Borgeson steering gear box.:thumb1:The 3rd thing that doesn't require parts is to max out your caster cams to get as much positive caster as possible to help it reduce wander.

[ram350002]

I have the agree with Bill above. 3rd Gen Trac Bar and Borgsen steering box. If your tie rods are iffy, then do the 2008+ steering upgrade for less then $300.00 for the whole kit, if the ball joints are iffy, then XRF ball joints. You will be amazed at the difference, it will drive like a vehicle again instead of a ox cart. Hope this helps