2017 6.4L 3500 steering

[1500ram12]

My buddy recently a 2017 6.4L hemi 3500 single rear wheel with 50k on it.

He's having issues with the steering. He said he has to fight with the steering while driving and the steering doesn't return to center after turning. He's brought it to the dealer and they've replaced the ball joints and steering box.

I think it's a alignment issue but wanted some opinions to give to him.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated


2018 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman
1990 5.9L 12v Cummins W250

 

[olyelr]

Yes, I would guess alignment is off...the caster.

 

[52 F-3]

I agree caster could be off, another thought is the steering stabilizer is bad/dragging inside (could just remove for an easy test)

 

[Fast69Mopar]

My buddy recently a 2017 6.4L hemi 3500 single rear wheel with 50k on it.

He's having issues with the steering. He said he has to fight with the steering while driving and the steering doesn't return to center after turning. He's brought it to the dealer and they've replaced the ball joints and steering box.

I think it's a alignment issue but wanted some opinions to give to him.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated


2018 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman
1990 5.9L 12v Cummins W250

Did your friend receive a copy of the alignment before and after specs from the dealership that performed the repairs? If so, can you post a pic of them? If you can do that I can tell you if his concerns are related to the alignment or if he needs to look elsewhere.

 

[1500ram12]

Did your friend receive a copy of the alignment before and after specs from the dealership that performed the repairs? If so, can you post a pic of them? If you can do that I can tell you if his concerns are related to the alignment or if he needs to look elsewhere.

From the sounds of it they probably didn't have an alignment done after but I'll double check with him.


2018 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman
1990 5.9L 12v Cummins W250

 

[Fast69Mopar]

From the sounds of it they probably didn't have an alignment done after but I'll double check with him.


2018 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman
1990 5.9L 12v Cummins W250

If all they did was replace the steering gear and the lower ball joints I can almost guarantee the only thing the did was set the toe and center the steering wheel. The only way to adjust camber and caster is by installing an adjustable ball joint in each upper ball joint location and you need the truck on the alignment rack to do it properly.

 

[olyelr]

If all they did was replace the steering gear and the lower ball joints I can almost guarantee the only thing the did was set the toe and center the steering wheel. The only way to adjust camber and caster is by installing an adjustable ball joint in each upper ball joint location and you need the truck on the alignment rack to do it properly.

no, you can adjust caster with the bolts in the radius arms.

 

[Fast69Mopar]

no, you can adjust caster with the bolts in the radius arms.

Well, that is a way to adjust caster but that is not what those adjustments are acutally for. The adjustments on the front control arms is acutally designed for setting the front pinion angle.

 

[1500ram12]

Anything electronic that could be messing with the steering?


2018 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman
1990 5.9L 12v Cummins W250

 

[olyelr]

Well, that is a way to adjust caster but that is not what those adjustments are acutally for. The adjustments on the front control arms is acutally designed for setting the front pinion angle.

While they would change the pinion angle, thats not what they are there for...its for doing an alignment...adjusting caster.

 

[olyelr]

Anything electronic that could be messing with the steering?


2018 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman
1990 5.9L 12v Cummins W250

Not with a HD. The half tons are electric steering.

 

[1500ram12]

Not with a HD. The half tons are electric steering.

Wanted to double check. Wasn't sure if there was a module or something that had something to do with the power steering. I've had a 2010, 2015 and now a 2018 2500 and never had a issue with steering, other than adding a steering box brace never had to mess with it


2018 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman
1990 5.9L 12v Cummins W250

 

[White six four]

https://www.thurenfabrication.com/tech/alignment-and-handling.html

https://www.cjcoffroad.com/Articles.asp?ID=258

Here's some good info for alignments for our heavy dutys