The DSS, also known as the "Darin's Steering Stabilizer"
is designed to eliminate steering wander in the Dodge Ram pickups.
It does this by adding an additional bearing to the bottom of the
steering box sector shaft and by adding an additional cross member
tying the frame rails together eliminating frame
flex. Steering Stabilizers models fit 1994 to 2002 Dodge Ram 1500,
2500 and 3500 Series 2 WD and 4 WD pickups.
If
your truck is not steering the way you would like it to, first
check all your steering components. A loose tie-rod end or
trackbar obviously must be replaced. Poor wheel alignment must
also be corrected. A steering box that has a loose sector
shaft is often an overlooked cause of poor steering.
Most (99%) of the trucks we've checked do have some
detectable play in the sector shaft which will
be eliminated by this stabilizer.
We supply a replacement pitman arm nut for the steering box
which is manufactured with an integral extension shaft. This new
nut/shaft is then supported by an outboard bearing and housing. The
bracket/crossmember assembly is provided as a rigid mounting point
for this bearing. The majority of the forces in moving the tie
rod are now borne by the truck's frame rails, instead of the
sector shaft bushing(s). The bushing wear in these boxes is
accelerated by the "dropped" pitman arm which magnifies the side
loads applied to the steering box. The outboard bearing eliminates
this load on the sector shaft - the "wandering" effects of a loose
sector shaft bushing are eliminated. Essentially no load is borne
by the original lower bushings.
There is no drilling
or welding required for installation. You will need a 1
5/16 regular socket and a 1
1/4 deep socket to install the
replacement sector shaft nut. A helper is nice to have to help
position the sway-bar and stabilizer back up against the truck's
frame. We can put one on in under 10 minutes. Most people report
that it takes well under an hour.
