Steering Problems

Isn't it the pitman arm that comes off the steering box? And the drag link attaches to the pitman arm?

I just had my truck on a VIS machine. Up at exit 10 on I 94 in WI at the freightliner dealer. Didn't cost me anything, cept waiting for 4 hrs. Found all kinds of crap wrong with the suspension

 

Yep. Pitman arm is splined to the steer box output shaft, drag link connects pitman arm to the steering knuckle.

 

Sorry guys , I always get those two mixed up lol
Yes pitman arm is what I meant.
Had a buddy with a 06 Columbia had wandering problems and that's what it was. New pitman arm fixed him right up

 

Whew! Thought I was loosing my mind

 

I would run as fast as I could from any shop that tells me the kingpins need tightening up. They are either good or worn out. I would be extra suspicious since you just had them done. Did you get dinged for work that wasn't done? How did they determine that the right wheel bearing is bad?

 

I'm wondering if they mean adding another or a thicker thrust shim between the axle and the knuckle to take up some vertical play. Might be possible that they weren't shimmed properly when they were done.

 

Had similar issue with a 1997 Freightliner FLD 120. In addition, it had a terrible shudder when breaking hard. Put on a set of Michelin steering tires and it rides like a Cadillac. No shudder on braking, steering wheel became precise and calm with great feedback on turns at speed. I would never have believed it was all in the tires.

 

Also make sure the bolt that secures the pitman arm to the steering box output shaft is properly tightened. If not, it is best to replace it, as tightening it stretches the bolt, and re-tightening is not a good practice.