2008 Dodge Ram Wanders

DirtyOil wrote:
As many would agree, sometimes the so-called experts miss something or another for what ever reason (we all have the odd bad day). Here's a few things you can do yourself.

If your able and can get down under the truck's front end, and you have a helper, here are few things to look at.

Have your helper, with truck running, turn the steering left and right (at a moderate speed) while your under the front bumper.

Things to look at while wheels are being steered:

Trac-Bar bushings - any movement at the joints? Replace

Pitman arm ball joint - if pitman arm is moving and the "tie-rod end" is trying to catch up. Replace pitman arm ball joint.

Steering box - look for "sloppy" movement at the steering box shaft, also look at the universal joint on the steering shaft from between the steering wheel to the steering box (some times that joint wears out and will make it feel like as you described. Replace steering box or universal joint on steering shaft.

Tie rod ends - (with truck off wheels straight) grab the linkage and see if you can twist the tie rods, if yes? Replace tie rod end(s).

Ball joints - slightly jack one tire up at a time get tire up high enough to get a pry bar under the tire and have helper lift up and down on it, while you look for excessive movement (should be very little to almost no movement, up or down at the joint) in the upper and/or lower ball joints. Replace ball joints. (although I doubt ball joints are causing "wander" they are more likely to give (besides odd tire wear)you some vibration and/or a banging sound over pavement cracks and telescope up to the steering wheel.