Steering and front end issues !
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From: Kamloops, BC
Steering and front end issues !
In the last few days I've had the steering in my truck go pretty weird ! When I go around a corner it wants to keep turning into the ditch instead of correcting itself.. You really have to drive it and steer out of the corner ! I've been in lots of deep snow lately and when I greased the U-joints today a bunch of water squirted out ! Could it be the u-joints that are less than a year old are gone again ?????
Also this truck has been a wonderer for some time.. Can anyone give me any ideas of what could be wrong ! The "oversteer" just started and its pretty hard to drive this way !
Also this truck has been a wonderer for some time.. Can anyone give me any ideas of what could be wrong ! The "oversteer" just started and its pretty hard to drive this way !
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From: Milroy, PA
This needing to steer, back out of the turn, does this happen while the hubs are unlocked? If so, sounds like the early signs of stuck/ bad u joint. I really, really reccomend the spicer NON greasables. My driveshaft place highly reccomends them, and out early 99 has them in the rear shaft( origional too) , and over 230k on the clock.
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From: Kamloops, BC
This needing to steer, back out of the turn, does this happen while the hubs are unlocked? If so, sounds like the early signs of stuck/ bad u joint. I really, really reccomend the spicer NON greasables. My driveshaft place highly reccomends them, and out early 99 has them in the rear shaft( origional too) , and over 230k on the clock.
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From: Milroy, PA
I guess it sort of surprises me that youve gone through so many, you said water came out. Do you go through creeks and such? Mine have alot of highway miles on them, but they also have 195K miles on them.. Ive yet to replace them, and do have them engaged most the winter, for quick 4wd, on short notices. If I was you, I would really look hard, for spicer non greasables. If you cant find them, go to the dealer and pay the 30 or 40 a piece they cost there. In the 4 99-03 trucks weve had, we have never had to replace one of those before 150k, and the one we did, was only in ONE of the four trucks. Too be 100% certain, it is infact the ujoint causing this (although it sounds like it is) Jack up both sides of the front axle, and have someone turn the steering wheel, while you watch the axleshaft, in between the knuckles, and axle tube. The ujoint there should rotate. Not at all fast, but you should see it turn.
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From: Kamloops, BC
I guess it sort of surprises me that youve gone through so many, you said water came out. Do you go through creeks and such? Mine have alot of highway miles on them, but they also have 195K miles on them.. Ive yet to replace them, and do have them engaged most the winter, for quick 4wd, on short notices. If I was you, I would really look hard, for spicer non greasables. If you cant find them, go to the dealer and pay the 30 or 40 a piece they cost there. In the 4 99-03 trucks weve had, we have never had to replace one of those before 150k, and the one we did, was only in ONE of the four trucks. Too be 100% certain, it is infact the ujoint causing this (although it sounds like it is) Jack up both sides of the front axle, and have someone turn the steering wheel, while you watch the axleshaft, in between the knuckles, and axle tube. The ujoint there should rotate. Not at all fast, but you should see it turn.
So if the axle shaft turns the u-joints are bad ??????? Or if it doesn't turn they are bad ?????? I can do that test for sure... but like you say.. I believe they are toast ! I can remember having this feeling the first time they went... The second time they went they were MOOG's and they just blew apart on both sides ! Literally broke into pieces !
Thanks for the help !
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2009
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While it is on the jack, grab a prybar and put it under each tire and lift. If it moves it is probably the bearing, but could be a balljoint. I have already replaced 2 right bearings and my left is going. Bearings are one of the most overlooked parts of a truck, but they are prone to wear, especially with oversized tires.
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From: Kamloops, BC
While it is on the jack, grab a prybar and put it under each tire and lift. If it moves it is probably the bearing, but could be a balljoint. I have already replaced 2 right bearings and my left is going. Bearings are one of the most overlooked parts of a truck, but they are prone to wear, especially with oversized tires.
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From: Milroy, PA
Carefull, those bearings are about 300 a side. There is a couple of fixed spindle conversion kits now though, but they are in the 1900 range. I personally like the looks of this one http://www.solidaxle.com/ProductCart...7&idproduct=50
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From: Kamloops, BC
Well guys.... Here's what I've found !! I was replacing my swaybar bushing today with energy poly ones ... when I was looking around down there I looked at my steering stabilizer ! I said to myself.... "self.... I wonder if thats what causing my steering issue, not the u-joints" So I took the steering stabilizer off and went for a drive ! No more over steering problem !! I couldn't believe my u-joints could go that fast so I was looking for other problems ! My steering stabilizer must be bent ! I must have hit it on something to make my steering so stiff ! Glad I don't have to do my u-joints tomorrow now !
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From: Kamloops, BC
I'll be putting a different set up on mine now... where the original one mounts.. it sits down way to low. Theres a way you can mount them up behind in there some how.. I'll have to look into it ! You can't even move the bent stabilizer by pushing all my weight on it... no wonder my truck was stiff steering !! Thanks for the input !
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From: Milroy, PA
I drive my truck offroad, and through bad winter conditions and with tire chains. I havent noticed a need for the stabilizer. Our early 99 has one, goes through the same things, and quite honestly, I havent noticed the difference. Just a couple pennies worth.
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From: Kamloops, BC
I can tell the difference without mine for sure ! With big tires and a truck that wonders a lot to begin with.. it just seem to tighten things up a bit better ! Just my opinion ! Alot of guy that have had the death wobble have also noticed it goes away once they put on a stabilizer !
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LonnieD
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Mar 14, 2006 12:43 PM