Alignment after lift

[jsalbre]

Yeah, I don’t plan to try to adjust it out. I’d like the truck to sit level side to side, but I won’t mess with it for now if it drives straight. Honestly my body needs a break for a few days at a minimum from loosening and retorquing 6 bolts to 240 ft-lbs. I’m not that old, but I’m not that young anymore either.

I’m fine with slightly higher caster to increase stability, but make sure you aren’t putting too much angle on the driveshaft joint.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Yeah, I don’t plan to try to adjust it out. I’d like the truck to sit level side to side, but I won’t mess with it for now if it drives straight. Honestly my body needs a break for a few days at a minimum from loosening and retorquing 6 bolts to 240 ft-lbs. I’m not that old, but I’m not that young anymore either.

I’m fine with slightly higher caster to increase stability, but make sure you aren’t putting too much angle on the driveshaft joint.

Body definitely remembers it for a few days after laying under a rig wrenching.

 

[johnmyster]

Body definitely remembers it for a few days after laying under a rig wrenching.

I did steering box yesterday and will feel it for a bit.

Wrestling the sway bar back and getting the brackets on it while dealing with a steering box brace is for the birds, or at least someone with a shop buddy. If I were a sane man, I'd rationalize not running either.

 

[whitexc]

I did steering box yesterday and will feel it for a bit.

Wrestling the sway bar back and getting the brackets on it while dealing with a steering box brace is for the birds, or at least someone with a shop buddy. If I were a sane man, I'd rationalize not running either.

What kind of steering box brace? I don’t feel I need one just wondering.

I just joined the no sway bar club. The truck has changed for sure and I would say the non-break-neck driveway approaches are the biggest improvement. I did highway speeds with curves and couldn’t tell the difference. No loss in confidence there I guess you’d say. I’m sold so far.


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[johnmyster]

What kind of steering box brace? I don’t feel I need one just wondering.

I just joined the no sway bar club. The truck has changed for sure and I would say the non-break-neck driveway approaches are the biggest improvement. I did highway speeds with curves and couldn’t tell the difference. No loss in confidence there I guess you’d say. I’m sold so far.


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My brace is a "Bad Axe" brand. Got it from CJC. Couldn't pass on the deal, and I was trying everything I could to make the steering better, convincing myself it surely wasn't the steering box. I knew it wouldn't going to help because a dial indicator didn't show movement in the sector shaft.

If my old box had internal ball screw play in 80k miles but the sector shaft bearings were fine, I'm going to say that the box probably isn't helping much. Apparently they were more of a benefit on pre 2013 trucks with smaller gear boxes.

I got a deal on a Thuren bar, which helped significantly. I never took the time to see what it would be like without one.

 

[whitexc]

My brace is a "Bad Axe" brand. Got it from CJC. Couldn't pass on the deal, and I was trying everything I could to make the steering better, convincing myself it surely wasn't the steering box. I knew it wouldn't going to help because a dial indicator didn't show movement in the sector shaft.

If my old box had internal ball screw play in 80k miles but the sector shaft bearings were fine, I'm going to say that the box probably isn't helping much. Apparently they were more of a benefit on pre 2013 trucks with smaller gear boxes.

I got a deal on a Thuren bar, which helped significantly. I never took the time to see what it would be like without one.

What are the details? 2500/3500? Miles? Mods? Why the iffy steering?

I will say, I have a ‘17 Super Duty work truck with 293k that drives very nice for what it is. If my Ram goes half as long I will be…..surprised? Granted the Ford has had maintenance and repairs done as needed but it really does run/drive exceptionally well for the miles. Sales pitch over. I do love my white Night Ram.


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[johnmyster]

What are the details? 2500/3500? Miles? Mods? Why the iffy steering?

I will say, I have a ‘17 Super Duty work truck with 293k that drives very nice for what it is. If my Ram goes half as long I will be…..surprised? Granted the Ford has had maintenance and repairs done as needed but it really does run/drive exceptionally well for the miles. Sales pitch over. I do love my white Night Ram.


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Details in my signature. 2014 3500 mega, laramie cummins. We bought the truck last summer. 77k miles on the clock. Been babied, no lift, not off roaded, stock size highway (Michelin) tires, all original truck. Two retired owners that got it, towed a camper for a bit, then got too old so the truck just sat. Lots of little things have needed attention from age but I hope to get 10 years out of it. So far about 40% of my miles on it are hooked to our camper, roughly 10k pounds.

I am just a stickler for precise steering and having my position in the lane being controllable/predictable. Now that the original box is on the bench, there is definitely perceptible play in the worm / ball screw. Sector shaft adjustment doesn't fix it at all. I managed to find a deal on a new mopar box. If it doesn't hold up I now have one I can send to Minh Works for his special touch. These boxes are beefy but they're made in China and only recently has Minh gotten his hands on quality rebuild parts.

In the end my track bar was fine and the drag link had a little play but not enough to notice. It was the steering box and my attempts to adjust it just made it tight over center, which made it even weirder to drive.

At the point the truck just needs a little less caster and for me to address the flakey dome light.

 

[whitexc]

10-4. I’m on TapaTalk. I can’t see sigs.

I see the undertaking now. I had a 2002 CCSB (oil burner) that I fought tooth and nail to keep “tight” until I sold it @ 225k, just after ordering my ‘21 gasser. It was a worthy fight. I did the red head steering box, brace….the whole 9. That truck drove very nice and wore tires well.

Good luck with the truck.


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