[surveyordude03]

My 2003 Ram 2500 4x4 was T-boned on the front axle in Dec 2017. Still having problems. In April, the the adjustment sleeve off the tie rod at the Pittman arm bent into a 90 deg. as I was backing in the drive. It was replaced along with the steering box and steering pump. It has been fine up until a week ago when the pump started making noise and the steering wheel started getting offset. Today, I pulled off the highway (after a day of driving around to different lakes), only to lose my steering again. This time the adjustment sleeve bent into a 90 and broke as well. WTF!!! This seems to be a dangerous problem.
Called the original collision center, had it hauled to a local suspension specialist where it awaits for business hours on Mon.

Has dual bilstein steering stabilizer (not replaced from accident)
New: ball joints, tie rods (3 times now), complete axle, hub assembly, Reman steering pump and box (twice now)

Any ideas why?
2 pictures of today's events attached.

 

[rghavana]

Sound like something binding or poor quality replacement parts.
Any pictures???
what parts were used??

 

[surveyordude03]

All parts have come from Napa. I attached the same 2 pictures I thought I did on the original post. Sorry

 

[24hrsparkey]

Used a ton of Napa , or moog front end components and while not exactly the best .. NEVER had a tie rod adjuster go wonkey like that.

I know You got some newer stuff on there due to collision repair ,, but someone really needs to unhook some things and stare n operate by hand every component . Either someone is cranking the steering wheel with tire against curb or something binding up bad at certain angles .
Looking at it isn't sufficient , popping a few connections then hands on inspection.

Good luck sir

 

[surveyordude03]

I am the only driver. I do not park against any curb. My work is only 15 min away from my house. It is driven lightly. I feel like my town is full of half mechanics. I look forward to this collision crap ending so I can resume the mechanic role. We already have an attorney from the accident. Crappy deal!!

 

[24hrsparkey]

NOTE ""
I noticed something !

In that picture of the coupling / sleeve for toe adustment

I see a TON of threads showing , meaning allot of hollow heavy tube and not typical to have say only an inch engaged in both ends .
Not normal , normal is like full threads engaged and only approx an inch of hollow in the center.

Why is the question.

 

[24hrsparkey]

Sorry duplicate . Musta pressed too many buttons .

 

[24hrsparkey]

That joint might be the steering wheel center adj sleeve , hard to tell . But if so same theory .

 

[surveyordude03]

On other trucks like these, what do yours look like? how much thread is is in the adjustment sleeve? Looking at mine, it broke right at the end of the threads.

Would a different year of axle be different length (compared to linkage).
Would the upgraded steering linkage fix this potentially?
My father in law was curious about the dual steering stabilizer. Since it is the original from BEFORE the accident, bent shaft binding??
Well, no matter what I will let you all know what the suspension "specialists" find.

 

[surveyordude03]

Yes, that is for the steering wheel adjustment. Attached is the first time this happened from April. It's a wider view and should show you exact location.

 

[24hrsparkey]

Yep.
And there is a TON of threads showing both sides . Not normal IMO .

Could be whom ever installed the steering linkage and Then tried to set the steering wheel centered didn't do it correctly
Ps the duel steering dampers are easy to test lock to lock up on a lift , besides I'm guessing if they are in a bind they would get bent up before the steering rack components

Good luck

 

[rghavana]

From pictures ,to me looks like clamps on sleeve are not properly positioned to secure/hold the draglink ends securely in adjusting sleeve.
They actually can be forcing sleeve open in that position.

 

[24hrsparkey]

From pictures ,to me looks like clamps on sleeve are not properly positioned to secure/hold the draglink ends securely in adjusting sleeve.
They actually can be forcing sleeve open in that position.

Clamps go in between the raised dots , each side of the sleeve . That's where they are .

 

[rghavana]

Not talking between the dots, the one clamp end is wedged in the opening it is suppose to be closing, they should be flipped so the clamp openings do not match the sleeve opening.

 

[tryNto]

Are there possibly 2 different lengths of Drag Link?
Seems too short to engage enough threads, all the pics I looked at had at least 1" more threads in the adjuster sleeve.

 

[24hrsparkey]

Not talking between the dots, the one clamp end is wedged in the opening it is suppose to be closing, they should be flipped so the clamp openings do not match the sleeve opening.

I see now , , you are def correct .

 

[surveyordude03]

The Mon Update......The collision center is paying for a steering linkage upgrade to the 2008 style. We shall see. I need to talk with the suspension shop owner and see what else he finds (Wed).

 

[24hrsparkey]

That is a beefy er set up . I had it on my 05 .

That big gap ( which i think is the root cause , barring some sort of severe bind in the other components) in the steering wheel center adj sleeve ,,, must have something to do with the gap in the tie rod sleeve , position of steering wheel before trying to attatch the steering rod . Shouldn't be the pitman arm index , i believe it only goes on one way .

good luck sir

 

[steelhead1]

Frame is bent/twisted from impact. High strength German Daimler designed steel hydroformed and heat treated. Never get it factory specs on frame machine, stuff springs back to impact bent shape, memory retention.

 

[surveyordude03]

Got my baby back this morning. Looks good with the upgrade! New linkage and Pittman as the angle changes a little. The new linkage is so much larger than the 03 factory. He suggested the dual bilstein may have contributed to the sleeve failure. He believes the new setup should not have a problem nor should the dual bilstein effect it. Time will tell and I will be watching.