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Steering wander

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NCjosh

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Hello all, I recently purchased my first new 2022 big horn ram 2500 6.7. I noticed on the three hour ride home from the dealership that it was slightly wandering on the interstate. I rode it for two weeks to see if it got better but it didn't. I already decided that I wanted to level it so I waited to have it aligned until I bought a RC 2.5 inch level. I got the leveling kit and had it installed and had it aligned to factory specs and it still wandered, did some research and had it aligned again per Thuren specs (0 toe, low end of the caster specs recommended by thuren for the diesel models) and it still wanders. I'm not sure the exact alignment because I didn't think to ask. The steering wheel also will not return to center and did not from the dealership either. It's really becoming a hassle. I'm now running 60 psi all the way around but have tried higher and lower with no noticeable difference. if anyone has a suggestion or the optimal alignment specs, it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I understand this is my first solid front axle, but I have had two duramaxs in the past. It's not the case of "not being used to a solid front axle" I have driven a stock 2017 cummins many times that drove fine on 35's, so I know that's not the case. Thanks again
 
Did the alignment shop give you a printout if the final alignment specs? They typically do if they are not ashamed of the job they did.
 
flan said:
Did the alignment shop give you a printout if the final alignment specs? They typically do if they are not ashamed of the job they did.
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Haha thanks for the reply, no, neither shop gave me a printout. I should have asked for it but didn't expect all of these issue either
 
NCjosh said:
Haha thanks for the reply, no, neither shop gave me a printout. I should have asked for it but didn't expect all of these issue either
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I’m curious if the shop didn’t get it to the spec you requested and called it good enough. Are you still on the oem tires?
 
flan said:
I’m curious if the shop didn’t get it to the spec you requested and called it good enough. Are you still on the oem tires?
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Yes on oem firestones, only have 1500 miles on the truck. Here are the cams:
Driver cam
1687611987492.jpeg

Passenger cam
1687612039296.jpeg
 
NCjosh said:
Yes on oem firestones, only have 1500 miles on the truck. Here are the cams:
Driver cam
View attachment 58782

Passenger cam
View attachment 58783
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Like i said on cumminsforum the cam is upside down on the drivers side they is likely all your issue is as the cross caster is off so much you don't have any steering return to center and also the wandering
 
I know you mentioned you had it aligned twice but what you describing is 100% alignment related. The factory alignment on my 22 caused the front tires to wear uneven on the outer edges and the truck wandered on the highway. When I raised the truck 1 in I had it aligned to thuren specs and it not only solved my wandering but it also solved my uneven tire wear.

To recenter your steering wheel you can adjust that from underneath the truck. You basically loosen one bolt and make small adjustments until it's centered. I wish I was able to take a picture for you but I just broke my collarbone. I'm sure someone on here such as @Rockcrawlerdude can better assist with this.

I would start with re-centering the cam bolt before getting it realigned. However, you can still re-center the steering wheel.
 
Wandering is usually caused by not enough positive castor. Your cam positions are jacked. should be pointed down and one or two notch marks back the same. If you put too much cross castor then your truck will lean on these 13+ trucks. 0* toe is correct.
 
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If you want something done right you gotta do it yourself. Alignment is at the top of that list.

Here are my cams. Yellow mark was factory alignment for my reference. Silver mark is the setting I’m using with a 1” level and 4° caster

I didn’t see a track bar mentioned. Did you get a new/adjustable track bar for the 2.5” lift?

Driver side
IMG_2312.jpeg

Passenger side

IMG_2313.jpeg
 
Thanks everybody I appreciate your willingness to help. I'll adjust cams tomorrow morning when I get off work and will post the outcome.
 
holie cross caster.

as folks have said, get that x-caster corrected, make sure you have added caster for the lift. zero toe. adj trac bar to recenter the axle.
 
They do offer the tracbar in their package systems above front level kit, but not neceassary for alignment. Over the years I’ve known Don and Sage they both say not needed with regards of alignment. It’s a good upgrade for bushings, strength, maintenance over the stock tracbar along with recentering the axle slightly over laterally for better handling. Stock or lifted application. With the ’13+ trucks the radius arm drops purchase will help to get more castor when lifting these trucks. Also keeps the coils neutral without bowing.
 
So I flipped the cam and tried a couple different positions, couldn't get it to drive any better. I got another alignment and told them to set it closer to 4 degrees caster. They got it to 3.7 on the drivers side and 4.1 on passenger side. Toe still zero. Handles a hell of a lot better, but still has some wonder/ loose feeling only while driving/ soft steering, especially on back roads. Again it isn't nowhere near as bad, but would like to get it better. Weird thing is my cam on drivers side looks maxed out at only 3.7 degrees. Here are my cam positions

Automotive tire Flash photography Rim Gas Automotive wheel system

1689341139979.jpeg1689341139979.jpeg
 
I’m having this same issue on my new 2023 ram 2500 Hemi, bone stock. Had the dealer adjust alignment but still feels all over the road. I will need to crawl under to check mine.

I now have 2300 miles on it and was hoping it would just sort itself out. Maybe I need to take it to an alignment shop and see what they can do…
 
Milly said:
I’m having this same issue on my new 2023 ram 2500 Hemi, bone stock. Had the dealer adjust alignment but still feels all over the road. I will need to crawl under to check mine.

I now have 2300 miles on it and was hoping it would just sort itself out. Maybe I need to take it to an alignment shop and see what they can do…
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If I may make a suggestion, I don't know if you plan on doing a lift/ or level but don't do it until you get this figured out. I made the mistake of doing a level, the guys that did it threw the old spacers away I assume. I noticed this issue after purchasing the truck otw home from the dealership. Now that I've done a level on it, I doubt they'll touch the front end for warranty work. I'm still trying to figure it out, if I do I'll let you know what I found. I did read that someone zeroed there toe and left the factory caster and has been golden ever since. Maybe you could try that. All in all I really do feel like it's an alignment issue, just don't get why it's so hard for anyone to align it correctly.
 
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