93 dodge steering problem

[black]

Hi all, I have a 93 Dodge 1 ton cummins auto. with 360.000 miles. The other day when I was driving , I steered left and the truck went hard right , and then a little while later on that day it did the opposite. So it's unsafe to drive and off the road , any idea what the prolem is before I start ordering new parts $$$

Thanks
 

[ericlb]

it could be a lot of things, you need to crawl under the front and have somebody wiggle the steering wheel and see what moves that shouldn't or has play in it, my '94 had the box itself go bad, as they had weak ones, the replacement box has the fix built into it, the symptoms were start into a corner, and suddenly the truck would doubble or even triple the turning degree, not cool! especially with a trailer on,but im not sure if the 93 [ square body] has the same box or not
 

[black]

Your symptoms are similar to mine and I was thinking of ordering a steering box from the scrap yard, but chances are it wouldn't be an update , so a new one is best choice. It almost sounds like the interior vale (orbital if you will) is failing. Thanks for the help
 

[scotc]

Have not seen that one discussed on the DTRF, but someone there should know what it is exactly.
diesel truck resource first gen page

 

[MSM]

If it is 4x4 check for a frozen axle shaft u joint. Had the same problem with my 93, half of the joint would move but the other half was seized.
 

[glennster]

check the rubber brake lines where they go into the front caliper. the lines will develope an internal tear and seal when the brakes are depressed, holding the caliper on. jack up the front end, pull the front wheels. have a helper depress the front brake pedal then release it. see if the rotor turns easily. if not, crack open the brake bleeder and check for pressure. if it has pressure, change the lines.
 

[black]

Thanks for the resource Scottc there is instructions about replacing the steering shaft and steal and that seems to be a common problem
 

[scotc]

Also is it 2 or 4 wheel drive? If it's 4wd, how do the leaf spring bushings look? I have a 90 2wd and it's really squirrelly right now, I have the new upper ball joints to put in it, but have to get new lower control arms before doing the lowers.

It could be the rag joint as well. There should be a thread in the sticky about replacing it with a u-joint.
 

[ericlb]

if it is indeed a worn box its best to bite the bullet and get a new one, you need to get the updated version ,or the truck will do that again, a salvage yard box for the early 90's dodges is a risky idea as that box may be the original style, which will have the problem built in, not the fix built in, what have you found out? as far as what the problem is
 

[black]

Haven't gone a thing to the Dodge yet , it's still sitting on the car hauler at the farm. I'm just collecting ideas from you folks that are much appreciated before I order parts . Right now we have tons of snow and the job will be on holc for awhile and I'm driving my Chev 4x4.
 

[ASEguy]

Does it happen when braking? Has any work been done to the steering/suspension system recently? Have you checked the physical mounting of the gearbox to the framerail?
 

[randyc1983]

My old 93 did something like that once. Got out and checked it and the bracket was broken that attaches the gear box to the frame. The gear box was moving back and forth. Those trucks are bad about the frame cracking there too. Had to weld mine up. As far as the bracket went I got a new one from dodge all this was a couple years ago. $ wasnt that much. I was surprised they could still get it.