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Mike
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2002
20:17:46
|
 Subject: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
Okay, so I just purchased a used 2000 4.7
Quad Cab 4WD, about 50,000 miles on it and
in great shape. Real solid and clean, looks to
have been taken real good care of - but the
steering has definitely got some quirks!
Does anyone else notice a high degree of
bump-steer in their Dakotas?!? Over rough
pavement and bumps the steering wheel
jerks left and right in my hand like mad! The
alignment is straight and the steering is tight
otherwise, it just feels like the suspension
geometry is wierd or something....
Anyone else aware of this, maybe recommend
a fix? I just got rid of a 2000 Chevy Blazer, the
steering in that was NOTHING like this. The
Dakota just feels "nervous" over bumps.
Anyone?
thanks!
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2002
21:07:23
|  RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
My 2001 QC does this real bad as well! I think it is a combination of overly aggresive bump stops and cheap OEM shocks! I am going to try bilstein shocks when the OEM's wear out. I am also thinking about modifying the bumpstops!
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Dr0p0ff
GenIII
2/18/2002
07:32:48
| RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
hey sandman, what kinda mod you donna do to your bumpstops? and what you tryin to get out of it? just curious. thanks
Sgt G
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bigdakota87
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2002
12:35:27
|  RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
what is bump steer?
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Mike
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2002
13:16:02
| RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
Bump Steer: (bump-STEAR) n. the tendency of a vehicle to lurch abruptly to the left or right when encountering a bump. Modern suspension has engineered out most of this in most cars by placing the kingpin, or turning axis of each wheel, directly above the center of each tread so that the tire is not deflected either left or right when a bump is hit. Apparently not a priority when designing the Dakota suspension.
does this help?
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2002
21:51:07
| RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
I think that the bump stops are limiting the suspension travel too soon. The Arms are still accelerateing when they contact the bump stops. I also think that the valveing on the OEM shocks in too soft overall and not progresive enough! You want the sespension to react but you also want to slow all that unsprung mass down as quickly as you can comfortable do so. I some times wounder what lighter wheels and tires would do to this truck?I also want to trim the bumpstops to get more articulation for off raoding.
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Big Blue QC
Gen III
2/19/2002
09:37:19
| RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
My 2002 does it also. I can USUALLY tell when road conditions are coming up that will cause the bump steer so it doesn't catch me off gaurd as often, but not all the time.
2002 QC Sport 4x4, 4.7L, auto, Patriot Blue, Tire & Handling group,
Heavy Duty Service group, Leer cap w/out windows, Mopar Step bars and roof rack, Rhino liner in bed and on step bars
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scat pack
GenIII
2/19/2002
18:14:01
| RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
Hmmm, Why would QC bumpsteer more than RC or CC with same front end geometry ? Frame flex ?
2K RC 4.7 4x4
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Mike
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/20/2002
13:30:42
|  RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
I don't think that this problem is limited to just the QC models...I'm pretty sure ALL Dakotas have an inherent 'bump steer' problem in their suspension geometries.
Ordering the "wheel and handling group" magnifies the problem because it pushes the tires out even further from the kingpins (wider stance) and gives them even more leverage to yank the wheel around in your hand when you hit a bump.
I'm beginning to think that the only real solution is to install different a-arms / steering linkages that relocate the kingpin out further - impossible for most of any of us with 4WD systems or limited cash.
Perhaps a steering stabilizer, though? Hmmmm
I've seen these units on monster trucks to minimize bump steer...hmmmm
anybody installed one in a Dakota?
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Andy VH
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2002
10:45:51
| RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
My 99 Ext-cab 4x2 SLT does it do, but not as much as described here. Bump stops have nothing to do with the bump steer, don't waste your time on that. Bump steer is caused by steering geometry factors which input a steering effect from the tire back to the steering rack. If the geometry is not "right" the motion of one wheel causes the steer arm on the spindle to move ahead or behind of the spindle vertical centerline, this inputs a steering "effect". If you were able to not have your hands on the steering wheel when it happens the truck would travel within the intended path. But, because we hold the wheel and resist this input, it gets sent to the steering rack and causes the Dak to change direction. I have heard that some aftermarket spindles correct this fault. I am VERY familiar with bump steer because the truck manufacturer I used to work for had a real problem with it, test drove a lot of trucks with it. Dodge needs to address this fault.
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Mike
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2002
11:41:05
| RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
thanks....makes sense, it's what I'd been thinking too. Geometry is just not right.
I took my Dakota to the carwash about a week after I got it, one of the automatic ones that your car is pushed along on a track - and the Dakota jumped the track. I was watching it through the plate glass windows alongside the carwash, and saw the front wheels repeatedly trying to turn left and right and climb out of the track as it went along...and eventually it did it. Luckily I was able to holler at an attendant and they stopped everything before it could hit anything or go far, but something is seriously amiss with the steering of this thing.
Any other vehicle should be self-straightening in its steering; this thing seems plenty happy to dive left or right at the least provocation.
Washing the truck in the driveway next time! :)
heheh
Still a way cool truck, I love it. Just something to be aware of as it is driven.
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
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2/21/2002
18:24:51
|  RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
I was woundering what the actual cause was. I was just getting ready to order some suspension design books to find out. I have one truck that is 16 years old has realy soft(new) shocks and it becomes airborne regularly on big bumps. You can feel one tire off the pavment and it never has had a problem with bump steer. It will bounce once or twice if you hit multiple bump but it never pulls one way or the other. One the other hand my Moms sports car has realy firm struts and it does not have bumb steer at all either. I was going to experiment with shocks but wont bother if it will not help! My old truck has recirculateing ball and joint not rack and pinion and I have to admit I hate the steering on every new truck that I have driven with rack and pinion that includes Dodge, Chevy, and Toyota. I do not think that rack and pinion has any place on a truck!!!!! Thanks guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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kevster
Dodge Dakota
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2/22/2002
18:58:01
| RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
To shed some light on the bump steer subject, The bump steer is on the 4x4 models, because the tires installed at factory are passenger tires. Yes this is true, these tires are used to give the truck a softer more comfortable ride. If one was to put on a set of LT (light truck) tires on all 4 wheels the Problem would go away. This is a proven fact Gentlemen. The LT tire has two more polyester plies and one steel belt for trucks.
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scat pack
GenIII
2/23/2002
14:56:51
| RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
So thats why I haven't noticed this on my truck - it came with the 31x10.5 LT's .
2K RC 4.7 4x4
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kevster
Dodge Dakota
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2/23/2002
15:52:48
| RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
LT tires are the Ticket,This is the fix for all us Dak owners with the bump steer problem.
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ironworker
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/23/2002
21:31:18
| RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
bump steer in a lot of cases is do to loose
steering. my truck with 31's did not have
this new or at 40,000. at about 50 bump steer
started taking place. replaced lower ball joints,
with moog. most of problem gone. but by the time
i got to 136,000 on my 98, well to say the least
i just hoped to keep her between the ditches.
replaced 4 ball joints, 4 tierod ends and steering
gear box. also installed prothaine's urethaine
upper and lower control arm bushing. after all
this still had some bump steer. the problem that
remains is the steering shaft(big problem on ram
and dakota). on ram the problem can occur as soon
as 10,000 miles. you can buy aftermarket shafts,
flaming river ect. on the dakota the problem is
the upper u joint where the angle changes to go
into the cab. the shaft from gear box to inside
the cab where one bolt holds to a small shaft to
steering wheel. this is one peace, about $220
from dealer. no aftermarket shafts that i have
found because the shaft enters the cab before
you can seperate it. in this case and a friends
dakota this took care of our bump steer.
the bigger the tire the harder on the steering.
steering stableizers are great, but will not
help until all loose componets are replaced.
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sandman
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/24/2002
14:03:04
| RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
I tried takeing my hands off the steering wheel when it was going to hit a bump and allowed alot of time to rtecover. The vechile not only jumped severly it did not right itself!! I performed this test 5 or 6 times on the way home from church. My speed was about 30 MPH and the bumps were not very sever at all. The front end jumped 6"-24" to the right depending on the size of the bump. If I had not grabbed the wheel then the truck would have hit the curb.
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Mike
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/24/2002
17:33:04
| RE: 2000 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
I had the same results, sandman...but without actually trying to do a "test" on the situation!
I rented a CC 2wd 4.7 Dakota for a weekend to run to a junkyard in Kalamazoo to pick up some parts (before I bought my 2000 QC) and was sailing along contentedly on the interstate when I hit a pretty good chuck hole -
The vehicle jumped clear into the NEXT RIGHT LANE. It was all I could do to catch the fishtailing rear end. I figured at the time that it was just a fluke, but no longer.
Gotta be alert!
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Bob Brochu
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/24/2013
09:39:09
| RE: 2004 QC Bump Steer
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Message:
MIke and Sandman, i have noticed that many years ago you both had bump steer in the front ends of your dodge dakotas. I have a 2004 dakota QC with the same problem. The truck has a steering rack. I have tried several align specs; the closer to zero toe, the better, lower air pressures in the front tires help, etc. neg camber and higher degree of caster helps too.
But, I just installed a new set of michelin tire, the correct size and the problem is much worst now.
Have any of you fixed your problem with your vehicles yet and what did you do. I have to figure how to install a steering stablizer on the truck with rack and pinion steering.
thanks, Bob
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