2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering Wheel Clunk / Rattle : Solved With Column Bushing Fix !

[RDHamill]

DBazley:

Many thanks for the input.

It was -21 the other morning, and while still tight when cold, my steering does become normal after the truck warms up. I think that ,as things wear or seat, it will be fine by next winter.

I'd much rather have it this way, than to feel and listen to the "clunk" I used to have.

I'm not certain if an '02 with ABS is much different than my 01 with ABS, but I changed mine without removing the steering column.

This repair still stands in my mind as the best, most cost effective thing I've done to my truck to date.

Point of interest, truck reached 500,000 kms this week ( 310,000 miles).

 

[Willys]

Pulling the column out is a piece of cake. Just do it. It's not worth the hassle with all the ABS garbage to even attempt it in the truck. We did my '96 auto in the truck and it was ok, but much easier on my brothers 5 speed when we pulled the column. My truck doesn't have the jungle of brake hardware in the way, but I do have my on board air hardware- filter, manifold, pressure switch, etc in the way.

 

[CTD12V]

Hey thanks for the advice, David. Our winter has petered out and gone whimpering away like a lost puppy, so we have not had any more low temps like we were getting when I posted last. The bushing fits great in temperatures above single digits, so I don't want to go enlarging it unless I absolutely have to. I think I'll just leave it for now, and see next winter if it gets tight again if we get any decently cold temps.



It is worth noting that my power steering pump bit the dust the end of January. I couldn't find any real correlation between the stiff steering and the P/S pump, because it was stiff even after the pump would quit moaning like crazy after it warmed up, but I guess it is always possible that I was blaming the bushing for something that was actually the P/S pump's fault. Guess I'll just have to see next winter. For now, the bushing's great!



CTD12V

 

[ProspectorTim]

...

It is worth noting that my power steering pump bit the dust the end of January. I couldn't find any real correlation between the stiff steering and the P/S pump, because it was stiff even after the pump would quit moaning like crazy after it warmed up, but I guess it is always possible that I was blaming the bushing for something that was actually the P/S pump's fault. Guess I'll just have to see next winter. For now, the bushing's great!

CTD12V

That is a whole 'nuther problem. Maybe your PS pump could have been saved READ THIS.

My PS pump has growled when cold for a long time. Recently as I was backing out of a parking space I heard a POP, and I didn't have power steering or power brakes. In my case, it was the drive coupler between the vacuum pump and the ps pump that took a dive.

While I was waiting for a rebuilt vacuum pump from fixinrams.com, I did the PS pump service & mods described in that discussion. I installed the pumps today, but I didn't finish the job yet, so I don't have anyhing to report yet. I picked up a Magnefine filter at NAPA today. It cost more than the internet shops, but was a LOT quicker and more convenient to pick one up when I was already there looking for synthetic PS fluid (which they didn't have). I figure I'll run some dinosaur juice through it long enough to thoroughly flush the system, and go browse the AMSOIL site to see what we have for PS fluid.

There are a lot of places for something to go wrong with the steering on these trucks!

 

[CTD12V]

Hey thanks for the link, Tim. The ironic thing is that I had already read that and several similar threads, and had just started my truck to head into town to get some synthetic P/S fluid to do the whole clean and flush thing when I found my P/S system was jacked up. When I did take the screen out, it was clean. Oh well. Like you say, there are plenty of places for the gremlins to work on the steering system.

 

[Driftwood Ram]

I installed the column bushing yesterday and here are my observations.

Let me start by saying I did not have the rattle or clunk in the steering, but am tired of chasing the truck all over the road, especially with 13K behind it. I have a ’96 4x4 stock height with an automatic transmission and chose to try the install with the steering column in the truck. I am also 6 ft. 2 in. tall. I have already put a Luke’s link on the track bar, all ball joints have been replaced and a DSS is installed.



The intermediate shaft came off fine, after I turned the steering wheel ¼ turn so I could get some leverage on the bolt and the shaft moved in and out with no binding.

I did have some trouble cutting the retaining washer. Ended up cutting off about 3 or 4 links of spring. Then the rest of the spring pulled off over the washer and the washer was easy to cut. I cut some of the plastic cone to better see inside and was able to remove all the other parts without any real problems.



The new bushing slid over the inner steering shaft with no problem, but would not seat all the way against the column outer tube. I was going to get a bigger hammer, but a quick call to Dave assured me that if I was “within the thickness of the bushing upper lip”, it was ok as the bushing is “tapered”. Taping gently is no problem as there is not enough room to do much else. The bushing retainer went on fine, as did the intermediate shaft.



Test drive. I only went for a short 2-mile drive so things might change with time. The steering is firm but not stiff. The steering wheel returns to center fine after a turn and if cold temps are to be a problem, there should be enough time to put a few miles on it before they arrive.



This kit went together well and had very good instructions both for removal of the existing parts and installing of the new, complete with illustrations. Dave was very helpful over the phone. It took me about 3 to 3 ½ hours to do this with the column in the truck, but as far as I was concerned it was not a timed event.



Did it fix the “wander” in my truck?? I will have to say no. The steering being tighter might mask some of the “wander” but it is still there so further “fix’s” are in the future.



Tracy

 

[DBazley]

A few thougths in response, thanks David B.

Tracy,



Good to hear you got it done fine - and glad there was some improvement.



But you are correct, it is helpful to think through the geometry of what is going on while driving.



The steering feel is one part of controlling our trucks, both input from driver, and feedback to the driver.



Intermediate steering shaft, steering box, DSS bracket (upgrade part) and steering link knuckle condition all play a role here, too.



Imprecision in this area is helped greatly by our kit, but if one improves this aspect, one must also address the issue of chassis dynamics - a whole separate aspect.



Chassis dynamics has more to do with tires - both type & pressure, shocks, springs, control arms & bushings (fore & aft alighnment), track bar (side to side axle alignment), sway bar & bushings.



Now that your steering feel / road feedback is better, I would double check all aspects of chassis dynamics - even the small things make a huge difference.



For example, I have the 19. 5 load range G 14 ply tires (BFG's) and I just had them rotated & rebalanced after 10 k miles.



It made a SIGNIFICANT IMPROVMENT in tracking stability - not to mention road feedback & smoothness.



Not that wander was bad before, (my '97 4wd has all the fixes, save a stock steering box), but that little step of rotating & rebalancing brought it from darn decent to perfect.



I just say this to point out how seemingly minor things affect roadability & wander.



I also should add how much I enjoy my Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks - you can tighten them down for loads then back up when unloaded.



Are your control arms & bushings stock ? If the rubber deteriorates, it can negatively affect alighnment & wander.



To fix this on my Ram, I installed the 2" Rancho leveling / lift kit as it included the new control arms with urethane bushings.



The suspension motion is now very precise due to this change.



I just towed a 13,000 gooseneck to Texas, and never experienced anything but total control - gusts from Semi's were not even felt.



At one point, near El Paso, side winds were hitting 50 mph, tumblewees rushing across the freeway, even then I barely had any sensation of side forces.



Take Care, David B.

 

[Driftwood Ram]

Dave,

Thanks for pointing out some of the other places to look for "wander". I am sure some or all of those parts could use replacement. It seemed the "wander" got worse after I had the passenger side ball joints replaced.



Do you have a part number for the Rancho Kit???



I had a '73 Chevy 4X4 that I sold when I got the Ram in

'95 and it had "wander" too. I did not realize it until I got the new truck.

You just get used to it as parts ware until you drive something else, like my wife's Saturn SC2 with rack and pinion steering. Oo. Oo.

 

[BILLVO]

Long term usage How are they holding up?

How are these new bushings holding up for those who have had them installed for a while now? I have had mine for almost a year but haven't put it in yet as I found my column was still tight after pulling the old steer shaft out to put in a Borgeson. I got everything I needed before I tore into it to not had to do it twice. I may need it in the future so I will hang on to it but I was just curious as to the long term durability of them.

 

[RDHamill]

Mine remains tight, turns out to be a great fix. I thought it got to tight in the cold, but I'm now thinking the cold tight issue is within the steering gear.

good luck

 

[ProspectorTim]

Mine is fine.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

After reading this complete EXCELLENT thread, I checked my lower shaft bushing for wear, and it seems tight as new, absolutely NO play in steering or funny noises - guess I'm one of the lucky ones, and hope it stays that way - but if not, at least I know what the cure is!



And MAN, what a tricky spot to try to get to for fixing without removing the entire steering wheel!

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Tried everything but turning off the firewall....

David,



Do you have a PayPal account?



I have tried everything, but can't get past the page blocking me trying to order online.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Can we leave the airbag on the column...

Pulling the column out is a piece of cake. Just do it.

Willys,



I do not like removing a loaded airbag module. I can foresee an accidental deployment, blinded by white talcum powder and needing a new pair of shorts. :-laf

 

[yemyak1]

Had mine in for quite awhile. I purchased it soon after they became available. Cured my clunk from day one till present. Here's an example of K. I. S. S. (keep it simple, stupid) put to the test. Great product but you must install it to get the benefits. Put it in, you won't believe the difference!

 

[rotohead]

Had mine installed for close to a year. Works as advertised.
Chuck

 

[Ramtuf1]

I installed mine this last summer. As one post indicated that it fit good on steering shaft but tight into the housing. I did get a bigger hammer to seat it. Also, I performed this installation in the truck. I now have issues with the gearshift lever moving when turning the steering wheel and in the cold, I have to break loose the steering column from the shift lever housing before driving.



Dave has been great indicating that with the wide ranges of tolerances that Dodge manufacturers to, It was probably on the upper range. He indicated that he was going to send me another kit (FOC) with the tolerances on the minus side. In the meantime, I have to be careful to warm up the truck or I'll cause a shift by turning the wheel. Not sure how I'm going to remove the one currently installed as I may have to remove the column and work on it out of the truck. Not looking forward to that in the cold.



Anyone else have any problems with cold? I also notice that my wheel will not center by itself after turning. A bit worried and thought of reinstalling the stock set up.

 

[ProspectorTim]

Mine was the opposite extreme - was too tight on HOT days, and impossible to drive when it warmed up. I bought some dry ice and chilled it and got it out pretty easy by prying on the lip with a BIG screwdrver

In your situation, I'd try warming it up with a hair dryer; or better yet, invest in a cheapo Harbor Freight Tools heat gun.

 

[Ramtuf1]

Did you remove the steering column from the truck to gain more access or do the work in the truck? Did you also reinstall another replacement from Dave or put it back stock? Hate to see the steering not centering itself and also moving the gearshift lever when moving the wheel.

 

[ProspectorTim]

If you go back and look at my posts between #96 and #123, you'll see that I ran into just about every problem that anybody has experienced - and I fixed it, learned how I could have avoided a lot of the problems, and shared the info & photos.

After I got my bushing back out, I hand-sanded it to fit (see #123) - and it works real nice now.

I didn't have to pull the column to replace the tight-fitting bushing, but I *did* have to pull the column to fix it after I hammered on it too hard. :{

With a little practice, R&R the column isn't such a big deal. LOL