Steering Wander - Diagnosis and Correction Revised
NUMBER: 19-07-00GROUP: Steering
DATE: September 22, 2000
SUBJECT:
Steering Wander Diagnosis
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure for steering wander.
MODELS:
1998-2001 (AB) Ram Van/Wagon
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Steering Wander Diagnosis is the diagnosis of a condition where slight steering corrections are necessary to be able to keep the vehicle moving in a straight line.
Steering wander can be created by a number of different conditions including but not limited to the following:
^ Non-factory installed options.
^ Tires or wheels of different size.
^ Aftermarket wheels.
^ Tires that have a belt that has shifted.
^ Incorrect tire pressure.
^ A vehicle that is carrying extra added weight (e.g. tool boxes).
^ Steering and/or suspension components that are worn or damaged.
^ Wheel bearings that are loose, worn, or damaged.
^ A vehicle that is not within alignment specifications.
NOTE:
UNDER CERTAIN ROAD CONDITIONS (E.G. HIGH ROAD CROWN, GROOVED ROADS, CROSSWIND, ETC.), MAY CONTRIBUTE TO STEERING WANDER.
The following Steering Wander Diagnosis was developed to ensure that the vehicle and its steering system components are functioning as designed and are not the root cause of steering wander.
DIAGNOSIS:
1. Verify that the vehicle is not equipped with non-factory installed options or equipment that may cause the vehicle to wander such as heavy toolboxes or hardware that may cause the vehicle to exceed the front or rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
2. Inspect the condition and size of all tire and wheel assemblies. Tires that are worn or damaged and/or wheels that are of a different size and/or offset than recommended may cause the vehicle to wander and should be replaced before continuing with the diagnosis.
3. Inflate all tires to the pressure specified in the Tire Inflation Pressure sheet (located in the glove box).
NOTE:
TIRE PRESSURES ARE NORMALLY SET TO THE LIGHT LOAD SPECIFICATION WHEN PERFORMING STEERING WANDER DIAGNOSIS BUT, ONLY IF THE VEHICLE IS AT CURB OR LIGHT LOAD CONDITIONS.
4. Validate the customer's concern by test driving the vehicle on a smooth highway, free of road crown, ruts, speed bumps, or potholes. Drive the vehicle at speeds between 80 - 113 km/h (50 - 70 mph), preferably without cross wind conditions. If crosswind conditions are prevalent, drive the vehicle in both directions relative to the crosswind. Proceed to the next step if the vehicle exhibits a steering wander condition.
NOTE:
VEHICLES THAT DO NOT EXHIBIT A STEERING WANDER CONDITION DURING THE ROAD TEST MAY HAVE HAD THE CONDITION CORRECTED WITH STEPS 1-3 OR THE CONDITION MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ROAD CONDITIONS (E.G. HIGH ROAD CROWN, GROOVED ROADS, ETC.).
5. Raise the vehicle on an appropriate lift.
6. Secure a dial indicator to the lower control arm. Position the dial indicator so that the tip of the indicator contacts the inside face of the rotor (Figure 1).
7. Place your hands at the top and bottom of the tire/wheel assembly and push the tire/wheel assembly inboard (Figure 2). Zero the dial indicator. With your hands at the top and bottom of the tire/wheel assembly, pull the tire/wheel assembly outboard (Figure 3). Record the dial indicator reading. Perform this procedure on both front wheel bearings and proceed to the next step if the wheel bearing endplay exceeds 0.025 - 0.076 mm (0.001 - 0.003 in.). Proceed to Step 9 if wheel-bearing endplay on both front wheel bearings are within specifications.
NOTE:
WHEEL BEARING INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT IS ONLY REQUIRED ON WHEEL BEARINGS EXCEEDING 0.025 - 0.076 MM (0.001 - 0.003 IN.) ENDPLAY.
8. Remove the wheel bearing protective end cap, cotter pin, nut lock, nut, and washer from the spindle. Inspect the wheel bearings. If it is determined that wheel bearing replacement is necessary, refer to the appropriate Ram Van/Wagon Service Manual, Group 02, Wheel Bearings, for removal and installation information. Reinstall the wheel bearings, washer, and adjustment nut if the wheel bearings pass the inspection.
9. Using a torque wrench, tighten the wheel bearing adjustment nut to 54 N.m (40 ft. lbs.) while rotating the tire/wheel assembly. Stop the wheel from rotating and loosen the nut. Using the procedure identified in Steps 6 and 7 to measure endplay, adjust the front wheel bearing endplay until 0.025 - 0.076 mm (0.001 - 0.003 in.) endplay has been achieved. Install the nut lock and a new cotter pin.
10. Perform the Pre-Alignment inspection as identified in Group 02, Service Procedures, of the appropriate Ram Van/Wagon Service Manual. Any worn steering and/or suspension component must be replaced prior to performing an alignment.
11. Perform a wheel alignment on the vehicle. Refer to the procedures identified in the appropriate Ram Van/Wagon Service Manual, Group 02, Service Procedures, Wheel Alignment. Adjust any front alignment angle not within specifications. Refer to the chart for proper alignment specifications.
NOTE:
THE SPECIFICATIONS IN THE SERVICE MANUAL MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THAT ON THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. THE SPECIFICATIONS IN THIS BULLETIN SHOULD BE USED ANYTIME WHEEL ALIGNMENTS ARE PERFORMED ON SUBJECT MODEL RAM
VAN/WAGONS.
POLICY: Information Only