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OT..Dodge PU owners.

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Richard from SE AZ

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What would cause my 1990 Dodge 4x4 to road walk ? I'm thinking that it may be a worn steering box assembly but that is only a guess. It has close to 300.000 thousand miles.
 
Ffron wheel ballance, to worn wheel bearings, to alignment, and powersteering component wear, all could be the issue. Find a quality alignment shop, and have them diagnose it. If repairs are needed make sure you get a visual explanation, and the option to fix it yourself. Jim
 
The steering box mount on them where the box mounts to the frame there are two pieces and the one will get loose to the frame and sometimes get a crack in it and that will the box move and that really creates a wander . The death wobble is on the newer dodge front end that went to the coil spring instead of the leaf spring style I?ve never experienced it on the 6 different dodges I?ve had must be the way the road is crowned in other parts of the country or something any way that doesn?t really concern your truck
 
check your rubber brake lines on the fronts fromcaliper to frame. jack up front end and pull tires. have a helper step on brakepedal and release. crack the bleeder andlook for pressure. if you get a squirt....not drip of fluid, change therubber lines. the inside breaks down. and makes a flap in there.
 
I'm not sure what "road walk" is
but perhaps your post has the explanation in the question
three hundred thousand miles and rather that take it to a professional mechanic to diagnose and repair what sounds like it could be a dangerous condition, you simply post here.
Best of luck with that.
 
The early first gens were known for cracking the frame near the steering box, also with 300k the steering box could be worn
 
It's not just dodge any vehicle can do that. The first place I look is loose wheel bearings especially if it pulls one way or another if you hit the brakes hard.
 
My truck is newer (2007 2500 hd) and I recently had issues. Steering to the left was spot on and very responsive. Steering to the right was another story. Could turn the steering wheel almost half a turn before the wheels would move. Checked everything out and it was the steering box. I bought one at Napa for 150 bucks and put it on. Problem solved. Truck has 260,000 on it. Also check like others have said. Frame where the steering box mounts, and all your other front end parts.
 
Hello Richard from SE AZ,

Easy thing to check is tire pressure. Is the steering wheel centered? If not a combination of toe and steering box not centered could be the cause. Worn tie rod ends on one side can cause it too. Caster or camber usually is not the issue.

Guido.
 
'98 Dakota.108K,Every thing good but you can't steer it straight,Kind of lean on it.proved to be coupler where upper and lower steering shaft connect.Known for this. Underside mechanic knew what it would be before he lifted it up!!!!!!!!!!
 
I do a 2 part test.

First, with the truck on the ground, have an assistant rock the wheel back and forth, the extent of the slack.

Look for slack in the various components, movement of the steering gear, etc.

Then jack each front wheel off the ground. If it has ball joints, jack under the outer end of the a frame to get the load off the joint.

Shake each wheel side to side, watch for any slack in the tie rods, pittman arm, idler arm and wheel bearings. Use a pry bar under the wheel to check slack in the lower ball joints. Use the prybar to check slack in the upper balljoints by prying up and down on the upper A frame. Visually inspect A frame bushings, strut bushings, spring shackles, any and everything that supports or controls the front suspension. Look closely for evidence of frame cracking around the steering gear or spring shackles.

Worn tires, under inflated tires, out of round or out of balance tires will contribute to driveability issues. Oversize tires, and offset wheels will cause all kinds of problems. They defeat the original geometric design of the steering, and put undue stress on the front suspension, shortening the life of every component.
 
I had that on my 2003 Dakota. Couple of months ago friend had same problen come uo completely unexpected driving while I was riding with him, He about lost control of truck. 94 1500 with 60,000 orignal miles. He had no idea what it was. Told him how my Dakota with close to 300,000 miles was when I bought it. He checked it out the next day and found it to be what I had said. Took it to shop and had that replaced and fine after. Just setting still and turning wheel you can tell what it is. Could let go while driving and be a wreck. Mine they forgot to put the bolt in that holds top in place, it is under the dash. Started out good cot to where I could hardly control truck, turned into parking lot and lost all steering. Shaft came apart where bolt was missing. Lucky got stoped without a wreck. Don't turn wheel with that coupler apart as you could dammage wires in colum and even in doing that set off air bag acording to my friend mechanic.
 
Also check the coupler where the steering column shaft mates to the steering gear. Those couplers are a well known source of your problem. Don't waste the time or money to rebuild the coupler (kits are available), buy an aftermarket lower steering shaft with a u-joint. I had the same issue with mine- 1990 W150. With the engine off, have someone rock the steering wheel from side to side while observing the coupling.
 
(quoted from post at 00:08:56 04/23/19) coupler just above the gear box very common problem no place to grease
Click to expand...
I had a new kit installed on my 91 by a guy who was very familiar with the problem. He installed a zerk and told me to put ONE shot into it very carefully everytime I had it in for service.
 

Your term Road walk is a term I have never seen used it sure nuff leaves questions as to what your the issue is... A good alignment man should be able to confirm what I think is wondering... Road Walk you say maybe you should put some input into this...
 
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