98 Dodge Question

[WhiteElkHunter]

I have a 98 Dodge Pick up. Its a 4x4, 24 value diesel, manual. I just replaced the ball joints in the front end. When you drive down the road it feels like the steering sticks. Has anyone had this problem and what did you do to fix it, or some ideas on where to look? Thanks
Bryan

 

[TBWdracula2003]

our 98 has really stiff steering. the 98-02 were prone to blowing the steering box apart unexpectedly, but we havent had any probs with it after 250k miles

 

[dodgedlr]

The link from the axle housing to to frame was a huge issue from '94 to....???'04???.

The ball joint end that attaches to the frame will get a lot of play in it, not sure if it is causing your "sticky steering" but it could. The usual symptom is a washboard feeling after braking or after a bump in the road.

You can replace the link for something like $480 plus labor or you can go to http://lukeslink.com/ and rebuild the existing one.

In my experience the rebuilds work quite well.

 

[lightening800]

joints

if this just started after the ball joints have been replaced then they over torqued the ball joint nuts, there is a sequence to this that must be done or they will bind causing tight steering.