steering wobble...

[nvycrmn]

so here is the problem. when going up a steep incline today, near the top the steering got really wobbly. wheel bearing going out you think? it went away and it seems to only really affect the ex when going up steep hills...

 

[toms89]

Pavement? Offroad? Was it going into 4wd?

 

[nvycrmn]

pavement. not engaging 4wd. just regular driving up a hill to a stop light...

 

[GAINMOB]

check your weights...make sure they didnt fall off

 

[nvycrmn]

its not all the time though. only seems to happen when traveling uphill. there is no grinding or pulling or nothing, so i didnt think it was wheel bearing. and i dont get wobble all the time, so its not steering stabilizer, tires out of balance, and shouldnt be the weights. but i will def check to make sure...

 

[tmajikman]

its not all the time though. only seems to happen when traveling uphill. there is no grinding or pulling or nothing, so i didnt think it was wheel bearing. and i dont get wobble all the time, so its not steering stabilizer, tires out of balance, and shouldnt be the weights. but i will def check to make sure...

Rag joint? Pull the wheels and or jack the truck up and use a pry bar to see if there is any movement up and down, then grab a buddy if you a little guy like me and see if there is any excessive side to side movement. Also check out your end links, swaybar bushings and any other suspension under the front end, may even be a loose bolt possibly.

 

[panda24619]

well im the buddy you need! just were both not small... haha could it be time to replace that short shaft like you needed to last year??? haha could just be some sort joint going loose. i know some good hills by my place where we can go check it out if you wanna.

 

[nvycrmn]

so now i have no idea. gonna crawl under there tonight but dont think its gonna help much. now its REALLY bad while coasting, not so bad under power, but wobbles all the time now. funny thing was, i heard some intermittent clunking/clanking/clicking noise, usually in spurts of 2 or so. i put it in 4H, and the noise and wobble went away. took it out of 4H and after a few miles, came back. je ne s'ais pas...

 

[nvycrmn]

majik, what is the rag joint you speak of? could it be the CV joint? i know i have had to replace my right side half-shaft for a long time (thanks for reminding me panda!) due to a hole in the boot...

 

[jacks3am]

U joints? pitman arm? idk just stabs in the dark

 

[tmajikman]

majik, what is the rag joint you speak of? could it be the CV joint? i know i have had to replace my right side half-shaft for a long time (thanks for reminding me panda!) due to a hole in the boot...

Ragjoint is on the steering shaft, at least they were used for years on many automobiles. If you pop the hood, look at the steering shaft where it connects from one piece to the next piece, there will be a piece of rubber or similar material, check and see if that rubber piece is in good shape or all torn up, replace as needed. Just a shot in the dak navy

 

[nvycrmn]

i will have to take a gander at that majik..

 

[tmajikman]

i will have to take a gander at that majik..

Good deal, I will keep an eye on this this and help the best I can bro.

 

[nvycrmn]

steering assembly has a little play in it but i dont think anything out of the ordinary. not really sure, have nothing to compare it to.

 

[tmajikman]

I would suspect a wheel bearing, ball joint or something in the front suspension

 

[nvycrmn]

you can feel it at slow speeds cuz it pulls the steering wheel. my guess is wheel bearing cuz it wobbles faster/slower depending on speed. when i come to a stop, it will pull the wheel with rotation of the wheel, almost like something is warped

 

[nvycrmn]

blue, i am beginning to wonder if you are on the right track with the pitman arm. any ideas? that thing sounds like a huge pain in the ass to change!

 

[panda24619]

i dont think you really need too many "special" tools to do the pitman arm. just the fork looking one.

 

[tmajikman]

i dont think you really need too many "special" tools to do the pitman arm. just the fork looking one.

Yeah, it is not too bad to remove and replace one.

 

[jacks3am]

I hear the pitman arm is easy to replace, and no alignment needed, just take off your skidplate and take a look