sullivan
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Posts
- 1,929
- Reaction score
- 101
- Location
- Houston, Texas
- Ram Year
- 2016
- Engine
- 5.7 Hemi
I double posted this on another site in hope for figuring this out.
Ever since I got new tires and redid a lot of stuff on my truck, and getting an alignment after it all, my steering just feels "off" more then it did before with worn parts that I replaced.
Here is some info on my truck, bought a 06 sport with 4x4 used last Sept of 2010, front outer edges of tires were badly coupled on the outsides evenly on either side. Drove it for 10k miles then redid all of the below at 10k and I did maintenance periodically over those 10k miles. got a lifetime alignment at Firestone for $180. Bought brand new tires from Discount tire company for $1200. Redid my alignment right after. It didn't really change but I wanted to make sure. Then I installed new outer tie rod ends with MOOG brand parts, bilstein hd shocks and struts, hell-wig anti sway bar, and then I have Firestone redo the alignment. Alignment paid for itself the third time.
However, my steering still feels Off. I don't know what it is. I am leaning towards my rack and pinnion. Here is why.
My brand new front tires seem to have very minor coupling on the far outer side walls. It is very minor but it is happening on both sides exactly the same.
My steering feels funky when turning, and there is play in the steering shaft where it enters the rack and pinion. Not much, but for sure is slightly moving in the rack and pinion. Sometimes I hear a loud "POP" from the steering wheel. Its pretty noticeable but not a big issue. Nothing happens when it pops. Only happens when turning. When steering in 4x4 it doesnt really turn smooth, its like the right front wheel has something wrong with it. Axle joint is something that comes to my mind, for my 06' its called a CV joint I believe.? I couldn't do a U turn with out some major vibration from the right front tire.
Would buying a completely new rack and pinion be my best bet? My inner tie rods if needed to be replaced cost $80. But a new rack costs $250-300 shipped. I wouldn't mind buying a new rack, as I know how vehicles work, they just get worn and can be fixed.
Remember, there is play on the section that enters the rack and pinion when i grab and try to turn the steering shaft from withing the engine bay. It is very small, either 1mm or 1/2mm of play
When turning my wheel all the way to the left in the drive way, and returning it to the middle, the right side tire isn't exactly straight. Its off by a few mm but is very minor.
My steering fluid is brand new, changed it out a few weeks ago, it was sort of low and needed to be changed. So thats not an issue. Inspected my ball joints upon installation of struts, seemed fine.
Is this something I could rebuild cheapy, I would get all the parts for the rack and pinion and then buy new inner tie rods rather then buying a complete unit.
Ever since I got new tires and redid a lot of stuff on my truck, and getting an alignment after it all, my steering just feels "off" more then it did before with worn parts that I replaced.
Here is some info on my truck, bought a 06 sport with 4x4 used last Sept of 2010, front outer edges of tires were badly coupled on the outsides evenly on either side. Drove it for 10k miles then redid all of the below at 10k and I did maintenance periodically over those 10k miles. got a lifetime alignment at Firestone for $180. Bought brand new tires from Discount tire company for $1200. Redid my alignment right after. It didn't really change but I wanted to make sure. Then I installed new outer tie rod ends with MOOG brand parts, bilstein hd shocks and struts, hell-wig anti sway bar, and then I have Firestone redo the alignment. Alignment paid for itself the third time.
However, my steering still feels Off. I don't know what it is. I am leaning towards my rack and pinnion. Here is why.
My brand new front tires seem to have very minor coupling on the far outer side walls. It is very minor but it is happening on both sides exactly the same.
My steering feels funky when turning, and there is play in the steering shaft where it enters the rack and pinion. Not much, but for sure is slightly moving in the rack and pinion. Sometimes I hear a loud "POP" from the steering wheel. Its pretty noticeable but not a big issue. Nothing happens when it pops. Only happens when turning. When steering in 4x4 it doesnt really turn smooth, its like the right front wheel has something wrong with it. Axle joint is something that comes to my mind, for my 06' its called a CV joint I believe.? I couldn't do a U turn with out some major vibration from the right front tire.
Would buying a completely new rack and pinion be my best bet? My inner tie rods if needed to be replaced cost $80. But a new rack costs $250-300 shipped. I wouldn't mind buying a new rack, as I know how vehicles work, they just get worn and can be fixed.
Remember, there is play on the section that enters the rack and pinion when i grab and try to turn the steering shaft from withing the engine bay. It is very small, either 1mm or 1/2mm of play
When turning my wheel all the way to the left in the drive way, and returning it to the middle, the right side tire isn't exactly straight. Its off by a few mm but is very minor.
My steering fluid is brand new, changed it out a few weeks ago, it was sort of low and needed to be changed. So thats not an issue. Inspected my ball joints upon installation of struts, seemed fine.
Is this something I could rebuild cheapy, I would get all the parts for the rack and pinion and then buy new inner tie rods rather then buying a complete unit.
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