2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2001 steering

[DThibault]

I took my 2500 to the dealer for some steering diagnostic work. I have 37000 miles on the truck. They said the tie rod ends and all the ball joints were worn. Track bar OK. No off road driving just mostly country roads and interstate. I was complaining about the amount of motion the steering wheel took before any action from the wheels. Service guy said that the overcenter adjustment in the steering box caused that phenomenon and was in specs. I can't believe I put up with that for two years. Has anyone else run into this and is there any fix. I asked for a little relief with the expired warranty and they actually said they would look into it. We will see today. Thanks

 

[Alan Reagan]

If they are a good dealer and you have a good relationship, they can get you a new box under warranty.



I had it when my truck was new. My box was replaced and still had some wander after the allignment. I tinkered with the overcenter adjustment and adjusted the preload on the steering shaft bearing and that solved my problem.



The most noticeable change from adjusting the overcenter was that it took the extremely tight feeling out of the steering. The truck would start to drift left and I would turn and nothing would happen. Finally it would go back to the right. Backing off on the overcenter slightly really helped the responsiveness of the wheel.



Adjusting the preload took the slack out of the steering so that it responded faster. My preload was not even hand tight. I tightened it to spec and that made the steering smoother and took the play out. Now there is about 2-3 degrees of play in the wheel which is the way I like it. That allows me slight movement of the wheel without oversteering.

 

[DThibault]

Alan, did you remove the box from the truck like the manual says or do it in chassis. How long did it take to do the job? I used to adjust those things when I was a kid on an old 47 Ford pickup and that thing then steered better than my Dodge. I would love to get this thing more responsive. The dealer agreed to fix the ball joints and tie rod ends with a deductible so I am going to let them but they say the steering box is withing specs, I have not pushed them yet, I want to see how much the first job helps.

 

[Alan Reagan]

I did it on the truck. 10 minutes for the overcenter. 45 minutes for the preload. Check this link for instructions.



http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1997/19-10-97.htm

 

[stg2500]

Will those adjustments solve the steering wander. I have to constantly adjust the wheel left and right to keep the truck straight. Or is it the tie rods or track bar problem. Had the truck in at 36 K and dealer said steering is within specs. Truck now has 49k with no further changes in the steering but it does get annoying to constanly move the wheel to keep the truck straight.



Also the wheel is offcenter. Is there an adjustment for that?

 

[Alan Reagan]

It solved my problem. Track bars solve others. I'm a 2wd so the track bar is not an issue with me.



Just a note... ... If you get the overcenter or preload too tight, the wheel will have to be almost jerked to make it turn. There will be no easing over from lane to lane or gentle pressure to keep from running of the road. Get it too loose and you'll be all over the place because of the play introduced into the system. I recommend you adjust one thing at a time and be able to go back in case you don't like the results. It can be a PITA, but get it right and boy does it drive good.

 

[Sasquatch]

I had the preload adjusted by the dealer after the first year I drove the truck, and the difference was night and day.



I've got around a hundred thousand miles on my Ram now, and it still steers and rides great. How would I know, though, about my tie rods, ball joints, and track bar? If the dealer said they were shot, I wouldn't know, for sure, one way or other.



Any tips?