I have a steering problem on a '99 Quad, with 2wd. The steering is very sensitive, and seems to bind, very slightly. Replaced: ball joints, pittman arm, idler arm, and steering box, (had front end aligned). After all this, most of the problem went away, but is still noticeable. I pull a trailer, and the sensitivity causes me to have problems keeping in position in my lane of traffic. That is, I wander back and forth, maybe 2 feet. I appreciate any ideas.


Marcus

Did you check the track bar it is the bar that holds the axle from moveing side to side? Also did you try to adjust the bolt on top of the steering box I have seen many of steering boxes ruined by people adjusting that nut to much.

I don't think I gave enough info about my truck....'99 2500 quad cab, 2 wheel drive.


My model does not have a track bar. The steering box is a rebuilt one, and I backed off on the adjustment nut, which helped somewhat. I guess I'll back off on it some more.


I bought the truck from Carmax, and they replaced all the items listed in my first post. The box was replaced after I had a front end shop check things out after Carmax replaced all the components, except the box. I am thinking that the box must not have been properly adjusted after the rebuild. I had the front end shop do the alignment, and they are my local experts, so I trust their work. They discovered the bad box, and did the alignment after the box was replaced.


Thanks for your reply,


Marcus

it is the steering box.....my 98.5 used 3 of them in 130,000 miles..

Yikes, I don't like that situation. (3 boxes) This truck has 90K on it. The previous owner had really cranked down on the adjustment screw. I think it was his idea to tighten up the steering on a worn out box. I have maybe 500 miles on this box, and my theory is, that if I back off on the adjustment screw, some more, maybe I can salvage it before it gets trashed. Does this sound reasonable?


Marcus

Does the steering wheel pop when you turn or does it feel ruff (like something is rubbing)?

No. Just feels stiff, or draggy. Little steering inputs cause unusually large response. Hard to make small corrections, like it overcorrects. A couple of small corrections...nothing, then another correction...and I move a foot, at highway speeds.

I had problems with mine pulling hard right especially after turning at it turned out to be a spring on steering wheel arm, where it goes from the cab to underneath the hood. When I would turn the spring would catch and cause irregular steering.

Hmmmmm, I'll have to snoop that out. I'll let you know what I find.

Well, my spring is OK....I backed off some more on the adjustment screw, and just came back from a test drive. It's allllllllllmost where I like it. I might rotate tires, maybe I have a squirrelly belt, or something.


Things are a'gittin' better.

O K, fellas, problem solved, and I thank you all, for the sharing of ideas.


I pulled our travel trailer, the other day, and the truck acted like it was on rails. Tracked perfectly. The problem was in the tension of the steering box adjustment screw. I guess the rebuilder set it too tight. I am litterally a happy camper.


Marcus