chris_the_wrench
Fixer & Builder of Things
Hello all,
I have a 2006 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins. It has been upgraded w/ Thuren Coils, Carli Trackbar, Bilstein 5160 Shocks, Kore Bumpstops, Extended Swaybar Endlinks, BD diesel steering box brace, and a Bilstein 5100 Steering Dampener. It also has (4) new balljoints and front axle ujoints. I'm currently still running the 2006 style steering linkage, with stock sized tires(these will be swapped when I have some more cash).
While all these upgrades have greatly improved the overall feel of my truck I'm still chasing a few remaining clicks, that I think were previously hidden due to the whole front end being sloppy. The issue I'm having is at low speeds(especially going down a steep rough hill) I get some clicking feedback through the wheel when turning. I don't have any issues with death wobble at high speed, and it's more of an annoyance than anything. I've recently replaced the draglink to pitman arm section of the steering, because there was some excessive play in the joint and I didn't have the cash to do the whole 08.5+ steering settup and I was abit nervous reading about all the recalls on the new system. That resolved some of the issue, but not all of it. I've also notices that when turning the steering wheel the joints of the drag and center links pop up at certain places of the travel(almost like the linkage is binding due to the pitman arm being too high or not at the correct angle). Not like a loose nut, but within the joint. Even the brand new joint does it.
When I twist the steering shaft(coming from the steering wheel) before it goes into the steering gear box I can move it a fair amount( probably 1/8 turn) before the pitman arm starts to move. So I think there lies a good portion of the slop I'm feeling. So my plan is to replace the steering box w/ a Red Head and eventually get the 08.5+ steering upgrade with one of the Carli steering dampeners. Does that sound like a decent strategy?
My questions are(1) how much can I expect to twist the steering shaft going into the box before the pitman arm moves?(2) When going to the 08.5+ steering system that Source Automotive sells do I need a new pitman arm? I thought I read somewhere that with the longer coils the older stock pitman from the 2006(which I have) works better.(3)the steering shaft doesn't appear to have any play in it(to my surprise), however this maybe a good time to replace while it's all apart what are my options?
Thanks
-Chris
I have a 2006 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins. It has been upgraded w/ Thuren Coils, Carli Trackbar, Bilstein 5160 Shocks, Kore Bumpstops, Extended Swaybar Endlinks, BD diesel steering box brace, and a Bilstein 5100 Steering Dampener. It also has (4) new balljoints and front axle ujoints. I'm currently still running the 2006 style steering linkage, with stock sized tires(these will be swapped when I have some more cash).
While all these upgrades have greatly improved the overall feel of my truck I'm still chasing a few remaining clicks, that I think were previously hidden due to the whole front end being sloppy. The issue I'm having is at low speeds(especially going down a steep rough hill) I get some clicking feedback through the wheel when turning. I don't have any issues with death wobble at high speed, and it's more of an annoyance than anything. I've recently replaced the draglink to pitman arm section of the steering, because there was some excessive play in the joint and I didn't have the cash to do the whole 08.5+ steering settup and I was abit nervous reading about all the recalls on the new system. That resolved some of the issue, but not all of it. I've also notices that when turning the steering wheel the joints of the drag and center links pop up at certain places of the travel(almost like the linkage is binding due to the pitman arm being too high or not at the correct angle). Not like a loose nut, but within the joint. Even the brand new joint does it.
When I twist the steering shaft(coming from the steering wheel) before it goes into the steering gear box I can move it a fair amount( probably 1/8 turn) before the pitman arm starts to move. So I think there lies a good portion of the slop I'm feeling. So my plan is to replace the steering box w/ a Red Head and eventually get the 08.5+ steering upgrade with one of the Carli steering dampeners. Does that sound like a decent strategy?
My questions are(1) how much can I expect to twist the steering shaft going into the box before the pitman arm moves?(2) When going to the 08.5+ steering system that Source Automotive sells do I need a new pitman arm? I thought I read somewhere that with the longer coils the older stock pitman from the 2006(which I have) works better.(3)the steering shaft doesn't appear to have any play in it(to my surprise), however this maybe a good time to replace while it's all apart what are my options?
Thanks
-Chris
