D44 Steering Issue
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2013
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D44 Steering Issue
Hello all,
While the truck is in the garage for various reasons I am trying to tighten up the steering. I think I have it down to three things. 1: big tires and sidewall play. 2: The gearbox needs adjusted or a redhead replacement 3: The bushing that connects the pitman arm to.. whatever that rod is has some play.
I do not know what this rod is called, or how I go about replacing it. The auto parts store was at a loss as to just replacing the bushing. They offered the whole(wrong) assembly for nearly $200
.
So.. What is this called and what is the process and parts required to mend the play.
While the truck is in the garage for various reasons I am trying to tighten up the steering. I think I have it down to three things. 1: big tires and sidewall play. 2: The gearbox needs adjusted or a redhead replacement 3: The bushing that connects the pitman arm to.. whatever that rod is has some play.
I do not know what this rod is called, or how I go about replacing it. The auto parts store was at a loss as to just replacing the bushing. They offered the whole(wrong) assembly for nearly $200
. So.. What is this called and what is the process and parts required to mend the play.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 515
Likes: 8
Well, when I was going through the same thing with my truck (which I just got straightened out), the first thing I did was watch under the truck as someone rocked the steering wheel back and forth. Do it while it's on the ground, and you'll see exactly where the play is.
I had play in my trac bar bushing, but I also had play going into the steering box. You can adjust the screw, but only so much (too much may cause it to bind).
Does the truck wander or does it keep going straight down the road when you drive it?
I had play in my trac bar bushing, but I also had play going into the steering box. You can adjust the screw, but only so much (too much may cause it to bind).
Does the truck wander or does it keep going straight down the road when you drive it?
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2013
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The truck drives straight but the wheel has more play than I would like. I would say it has about 1/4 turn of free play. With the wheels on the ground you can see that joint flex and rotate before actually turning the wheels. How do I replace this drag link bushing
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,723
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From: Roseburg, OR
Yes, its the drag link. I don't believe that just the end is serviceable. I think you have to buy the whole drag link.
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New User
Joined: Apr 2006
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I'm dealing with the EXACT same thing! I just put new tires on and the mechanics said the end of the pitman arm has a ball that is loose. He showed me by turning the wheel while I looked underneath like what was suggested. I can turn the wheel 1/4 turn one way and it does nothing. I can see slop in that ball area. Now I'm trying to figure out if mine is the stock pitman arm or like one for a lift. Mine looks JUST like yours with the drop in it. The ones I see for stock ones seem straight. Also I found some of the drop ones do not have the ball attached. The mechanic said I can't just replace the ball in the end and have to get the whole thing. I looked on LMC truck and they have one for our truck for $50. Then I found one from Moog for just under $100.
My take on it is find a quality replacement one like the stock one with a ball on it and I think our steering will be like new. Now we just have to find it. Let us know where you end up getting one and I'll do the same.
-Mike
My take on it is find a quality replacement one like the stock one with a ball on it and I think our steering will be like new. Now we just have to find it. Let us know where you end up getting one and I'll do the same.
-Mike
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2007
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Likes: 5
From: Roseburg, OR
I'm dealing with the EXACT same thing! I just put new tires on and the mechanics said the end of the pitman arm has a ball that is loose. He showed me by turning the wheel while I looked underneath like what was suggested. I can turn the wheel 1/4 turn one way and it does nothing. I can see slop in that ball area. Now I'm trying to figure out if mine is the stock pitman arm or like one for a lift. Mine looks JUST like yours with the drop in it. The ones I see for stock ones seem straight. Also I found some of the drop ones do not have the ball attached. The mechanic said I can't just replace the ball in the end and have to get the whole thing. I looked on LMC truck and they have one for our truck for $50. Then I found one from Moog for just under $100.
My take on it is find a quality replacement one like the stock one with a ball on it and I think our steering will be like new. Now we just have to find it. Let us know where you end up getting one and I'll do the same.
-Mike
My take on it is find a quality replacement one like the stock one with a ball on it and I think our steering will be like new. Now we just have to find it. Let us know where you end up getting one and I'll do the same.
-Mike
Mike, sounds like you have the inverted "y" tie rods if the ball end is part of the pitman arm. Steven has the "t" style and the are completely different. His ball end is part of the drag link so he just needs the drag link part. If you are having trouble finding parts, PM me, I just took a whole assembly off and its sitting in my shop used, but in pretty good shape.
New User
Joined: Apr 2006
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Mike, sounds like you have the inverted "y" tie rods if the ball end is part of the pitman arm. Steven has the "t" style and the are completely different. His ball end is part of the drag link so he just needs the drag link part. If you are having trouble finding parts, PM me, I just took a whole assembly off and its sitting in my shop used, but in pretty good shape.
Mike
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