Question about "soft" or "floaty" steering...

[jkone379]

Have a 2009 1500 and pretty much since we've had it (about 2 years), the steering feels soft and almost "overpowered". It's kind of hard to explain but compared to our GMC Denali, the steering on the ram seems floaty, lack of resistance, overpowered, soft, and pretty much too easy to turn. However, there is no play or looseness in the steering. I'm not sure if this is just how they are supposed to be but I couldn't find much about it online as most people would have the opposite problem. I would just like it to be stiffer and have more resistance, kind of less powered. It's just way too easy to turn and you don't feel like you have the precision or true control feel a truck like this should have. Just wondering if anyone has that problem or some tips and solutions. Thanks.

 

[kurek]

Is it lifted at all?

 

[jkone379]

It has a 1.5" leveling kit on the front, but I believe the problem was there before that was installed.

 

[kurek]

Insufficient caster would lead to imprecise or excessively easy steering so if the ride height was changed and the alignment shop had to make sacrifices to get camber, cross-camber and steer ahead correct they might make that sacrifice on caster.

Too much positive camber can lead to a similar result but usually makes steering feel "darty" too (reacts to bumps, grooves and potholes too much)

 

[jkone379]

Interesting... is there anything you can do about it?

 

[kurek]

Getting your alignment checked would be a good start, then if it turns out the guess of a random internet stranger was correct you'll want to get it correctly aligned.

If a correct alignment is not possible with the vehicle as it is (the cams on the lower control arms which permit alignment have a limited range of movement) then it will be necessary for you to re-examine your leveling kit and whether it's really 1.5 inches. Above 2 inches (give or take a fraction) it starts becoming a good idea to install lift-specific upper control arms to ensure a good alignment.

 

[jkone379]

Ok, will look into it. Thanks for the input!

 

[Burla]

Most trucks on oem shocks remind me when I was a kid and driving in my dad's caddy. The shocks are so smooth especially around corners if feels like you are in the turn for a long time. I put firm shocks in every truck I owned mainly to fix this issue, and for me it always works. Now, in a 2009 I would imagine you can't be on oem shocks? If so that has to go, if not what shocks are on there?

 

[jkone379]

I’m not exactly sure if there are oem shocks. I’ve only had it for two years but the person who had it before me had it dealer maintained for a long time so they might have replaced them at some point but of course with oem. There’s a possibility they are still original. But would after market shocks make steering tighter?

 

[kurek]

But would after market shocks make steering tighter?

Some types of aftermarket shocks - ones which have a stiffer damping characteristic or which are valved digressively (stiff on slow input becoming less so on fast input) - will make cornering feel quicker or more tight by allowing the mass of the truck to set into the corner earlier.

But they will not significantly change steering wheel feel, centering detent or perceived weight any speed.

 

[jkone379]

Oh I see. Ya I suppose steering wheel feel is more of what I have a problem with.

 

[Burla]

There is like no such thing as a 2009 truck who's oem shocks are still good unless it was parked for a decade. The proper way to level a truck is bills, so kill two birds with that stone. Since the oem shocks are dust, this is a needed maintenance part anyhow? I highly recommend biils set at 2.1 and not 2.8 if you feel floaty. Ram forum has had people replace lots of parts on floaty steering and not will great results, I can't say for sure either way. I don't know what causes it, I just know I want firm shocks for steering and I think it might make it better.