I’m at the point of exhaustion trying to get my 03 to steer well for first 70k it steered great since then 9 ball joint kits later. tie rod kits , steering boxes, steering stabilizers. the dealership can’t figure it out. 9 alignment shops can’t figure it out the truck hunts and pecks down the road never returns to center consistently
truck is a 2003 3500 SRW. stock other than a leveling kit. 275/70R18 toyo m55’s
my 08+ steering has less than 10k on it OEM. my steering box is the most recent 2012 rendition with 10 k on it OEM. trac bar is a carli with 5k on the rebuild. shocks are blisteins. springs stock, ball joints have been aam at one point at 70k miles shop used moog (three times), spicer once since then all aams have lasted 25k. current ball joints are carl they have 20k on them control arms are factory new with 10k on them
i drive on pavement and mild gravel roads.
truck can not hold center before 70 k no issues since its been a never ending nightmare of parts and labor. what its come down to is carl says they’ve seen knuckles distort from improper torquing of ball joints . causing inconsistent steering geometry (interesting theory) lower ball joints damaged from improper lube.... bent housing. not likely my tires wear great. just can’t drive over 35 mph lately for last two years.
So heres my .02 when you do your rebuild follow cali’s torque sequence carefully or have the shop do it. I’m believing their theory on the knuckle distortion. or use aam ball joints.
OR
Find an 05+ super duty dana 60 cut all the crap off weld not eh dodge stuff. redrill hubs. get ball joints that both support load instead of just the bottom ones. slightly better caster and then stay on top of rebuilding the carli adjustable trac bar every 20-40K
The other steering kits, steering dampeners etc are masking something else that is wrong.... including a crap design
