Steering Issue

[Rogo]

D2 - I put QT drag link and track rod on in November, obviously with 4 new tie rod ends.

I spent Saturday wheeling and ever since have had very tight steering that will jump loose as I turn through a rotation. It seems that every 1/4 turn it will be loose (or normal) for a bit and then go very tight again.

I climbed under the truck and nothing is bent, but I do have a boot on one tie rod end that is torn completely open. Its on the track rod. I can still see grease in the boot, but its definitely exposed. It is entirely possible that it was torn previously, but its been on for less than 6 months and 3k miles.

I am thinking the answer is yes, but is that maybe causing my issues? Does it maybe have a worn or rusty spot that is not rotating freely?

Thanks.

 

[Rogo]

"Why wouldn't my d2 unstuck itself" gets 45 replies and this one gets no love! :wtf:

 

[p m]

where's your steering damper? any dents on it?

 

[Quentin]

Drop the drag link and track rod and "feel" those joints for roughness/damage. I doubt that they would have deteriorated so fast, but eliminate them as a source.
x2 on the steering dampner..... may be fouling
Hows your steering box and drop arm?

 

[Rogo]

Its a D2, so the dampener is in the stock location. Its a Terra Firma... I'll have to look closely for indents.

The steering box seems fine, no visible leaks and the fluid level hasn't changed at all. What would I look for on the arm?

I will drop the bars - I think I'm going to replace at least the one end anyway, so I can inspect them at that time.

On the subject of tie rod ends... how much do they rotate when in use? I know the "stem" moves laterally to accomodate suspension changes, but with the stem wedged in the steering knuckle, for example, does the ball in the end allow things to rotate?

Is it possible that the tear happened a while ago, and after a long Chicago winter got some rust inside and it is resisting rotation?

IDK

 

[KyleT]

might have bent the steering box gear. i did it once and a reman i put in was like that, it would lock up sometimes when turning making it stupid...
pull the drag link off and turn the wheel with nothing hooked up and see if you can still feel it.

 

[Rogo]

I had 15 minutes last night and disconnected the dampener. That's not it. It moved freely by hand. I'll take everything apart and see if the box itself has the resistance. Ordered new TREs. Thanks for your help guys!

 

[jlprice]

So if I'm reading you right, this problem is related to turning the wheel and occurs at the same point in steering wheel rotation? That would seem to suggest that the problem is somewhere between the wheel and the gear box. Because of the reduction in the steering box steering wheel rotations are converted to a slower rotation that doesn't repeat past the box.

Have tried watching the various parts of the steering mechanism while you have someone turn the wheel back and forth?