How can I fix this?

CCDUAL · April 29, 2005

I have an 01 dually 8.1. The front end likes to wonder on the freeway. How can I ad more steering response to it? Would replacing the factory 215/85/16 with wider tires help? Why does the factory install such a small tire?

GONZO · April 29, 2005

i would think wider tires would make the situation worse. wider tires tend to follow more road irregularities. had an old blazer and i went from 235/75 to a 33x12.5 tire and it made any steering imperfections more noticeable.

have you had the truck checked out to see if anything is wrong with the front end? the truck should not be wondering... unless there is something wrong with it. my 03 2500hd stears great.

mmmikkke · April 30, 2005

I have an 01 dually 8.1. The front end likes to wonder on the freeway. How can I ad more steering response to it? Would replacing the factory 215/85/16 with wider tires help? Why does the factory install such a small tire?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My '86 K20 came home from the dealer, brand new, with play in the steering. I drove it for a couple of weeks that way, wasn't really sure what was going on. Then one day I was under the truck and I noticed that the steering arm that connected to the driver's side spindle was not seated in the casting. They had assembled it, cottered it, without ever checking that the ball-and-socket weren't all the way together! I was aghast! I was driving it like that.

All it took was an air wrench and a 3/4" socket and a new cotter pin and it was fixed, and what a difference it made for the steering.

So with the engine OFF, crawl under your truck, and have a helper move the steering wheel back and forth an inch or two--just a little--and hold on to each joint in the steering mechanism (tie rods, ball joints, etc.) cupping your hand around the whole joint. If there's any play anywhere, your hand will notice it. Then either fix it or have a mechanic fix it.

ABQFirefighter · April 30, 2005

Check the pitman and idler arms. These trucks are notorious for wearing these out pretty easily. I took mine in for an alignment with no known problems. The tech showed me how bad they were. I replaced them myself and saved about $300 over what they wanted.

jake111 · April 30, 2005

Have you checked front-end alignment? I haven't checked the specs, but generally front tires need a little toe-in to keep it from wandering.

CCDUAL · May 2, 2005

I have an 01 dually 8.1. The front end likes to wonder on the freeway. How can I ad more steering response to it? Would replacing the factory 215/85/16 with wider tires help? Why does the factory install such a small tire?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My '86 K20 came home from the dealer, brand new, with play in the steering. I drove it for a couple of weeks that way, wasn't really sure what was going on. Then one day I was under the truck and I noticed that the steering arm that connected to the driver's side spindle was not seated in the casting. They had assembled it, cottered it, without ever checking that the ball-and-socket weren't all the way together! I was aghast! I was driving it like that.

All it took was an air wrench and a 3/4" socket and a new cotter pin and it was fixed, and what a difference it made for the steering.

So with the engine OFF, crawl under your truck, and have a helper move the steering wheel back and forth an inch or two--just a little--and hold on to each joint in the steering mechanism (tie rods, ball joints, etc.) cupping your hand around the whole joint. If there's any play anywhere, your hand will notice it. Then either fix it or have a mechanic fix it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wont that make a clunking sound? I do not have any clunking coming from the sterring.

CCDUAL · May 2, 2005

Check the pitman and idler arms. These trucks are notorious for wearing these out pretty easily. I took mine in for an alignment with no known problems. The tech showed me how bad they were. I replaced them myself and saved about $300 over what they wanted.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanx for the info. I will check those out aswell. I want to gather as much info as I can before going to service. I want to know what I am dealing with.

mmmikkke · May 2, 2005

Wont that make a clunking sound? I do not have any clunking coming from the sterring.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If it's clunking, it's seriously worn and probably dangerous. But there are lots of wear conditions which will affect steering precision that won't present as a clunk, or make any noise at all.