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lllvibelll
Dodge Dakota
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7/28/2007
19:41:32

Subject: steering is sloppy
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Hello, sometimes when I'm going through a long swooping turn I'll hit a bump and it makes my truck go off course. I was thinking my steering coupler might need replacing.

Anyone else think this is the case, or no what else it might be??




Shamus
Dodge Dakota
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7/28/2007
22:01:59

RE: steering is sloppy
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Check the ball joints.
They are notorious for going bad on daks



Kowalski
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7/29/2007
09:30:14

RE: steering is sloppy
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The rear end is known to kick out in that situation; due to the stock shock valving not being well suited to the spring rate with an unloaded truck. It's especially noticable in the RCs. If that's what is happening, premium shocks and/or lower rear tire pressure is the cure.

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other bill
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7/29/2007
10:30:21

RE: steering is sloppy
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I agree with Kowalski...If that is the only time you really notice something. If you had another component worn, you would notice slop, or play, in the handling (steering) more often. Believe it or not, weak rear shocks can also cause tires mounted on the front to 'cup' on the edges. They allow the vehicle to 'buck' front to rear ever so slightly. It is not enough to physically feel it, but is definetely enough to see it in the tires in as little as 4-5K miles of driving.



daddio
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7/29/2007
10:31:57

RE: steering is sloppy
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i agree with Kowalski. my '00 QC tends to do that a little when it's unloaded.



lllvibelll
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7/29/2007
10:57:55

RE: steering is sloppy
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hmm...just put new hyperpro shocks in a couple of months back and it still seems to do it. =/



Kowalski
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7/29/2007
11:07:18

RE: steering is sloppy
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Roadmaster IAS in the rear made a big difference for me. Others have posted good results with some other brands; but I haven't heard hyperpro mentioned. What kind of rear tire pressure are you running ?

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

lllvibelll
Dodge Dakota
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7/29/2007
20:35:52

RE: steering is sloppy
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oops I meant Pro Comp ES 9000...(I have no idea where HyperPro came from...lol)

I have the tires a bit low at 30 psi.

Could it be the R&P system?



Kowalski
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7/30/2007
18:05:09

RE: steering is sloppy
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With a stiff sidewall tire like many of our trucks have, you might have to drop the rears a few more pounds. You should be able to keep the front aired up if you want. I go with 50 in front, 45 in back. The shocks took care of enough of the problem that I don't mind a little hop, with experience telling me the truck is going to stay planted. Not ideal for ride, but the compromise I've chosen as I really work my truck. I think others have reported good results for the Pro Comps. As for R&P, you should be able to feel the difference between front end and rear end handling problems while driving; we can't tell that behind a keyboard...

The front end has never been a problem with mine though; R&P is nice and precise. We're just telling you what is common here, for the situation you described.

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

lllvibelll
Dodge Dakota
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7/30/2007
19:46:56

RE: steering is sloppy
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It's also really unresponsive when swerving through cars on the highway...

Yeah I'm pretty sure it's isolated to the front end.



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