Anyone do the Rock Solid Ram Truck Steering Fix?

[whitexc]

http://www.rocksolidramtrucksteering.com/

Has anyone ordered and installed this on their 2nd gen truck? I have done everything there is to do as far as steering components aside from the 3rd gen upgrade, which may happen next time parts need replacing. Red head gear, stabilizer, Moog steering parts, Timken bearings, stock replacement damper, Borgeson shaft....pretty much everything is new within 3 years and has maybe 20k on the oldest part.

The truck drives OK and I know it's quirks but would like to see if this bushing on the column would take up the last of the slop/wander that is present. 211K on the clock currently and may become my daily driver again here real (have had a work truck for years but may be leaving that mess....). Any input? Thanks.

 

[Joe Mc]

Yes I did it last fall. Removed the little clunk I used to feel in the wheel. Worth the time and $. I recommend removing the column to do the job, instructions say it can be done in chassis but I could only imagine that being a real PIA.

 

[whitexc]

Thanks. I will see how I make out with it.

I have one "notchy" spot when turning left that I am going to chase down when the weather gets its act together. Take a freeway off/on ramp for example.....if you are into a left hander and get to a certain point you have to persuade the wheel past this one spot and then all is well. I really hope it isn't my gear box.....it was expensive and not that much fun. Ball joints and U joints up front are all new within 10k miles. Anything worth checking come to mind?

 

[petersonj]

Thanks. I will see how I make out with it.

I have one "notchy" spot when turning left that I am going to chase down when the weather gets its act together. Take a freeway off/on ramp for example.....if you are into a left hander and get to a certain point you have to persuade the wheel past this one spot and then all is well. I really hope it isn't my gear box.....it was expensive and not that much fun. Ball joints and U joints up front are all new within 10k miles. Anything worth checking come to mind?

Since you have a Borgeson steering shaft that has a notchy feel to it, please take the time to read the link at the bottom of the post..

The tension spring in the slip yoke of the Borgeson steering shaft was the cause of my "notchy" steering, not the lower column bushing, even though I had replaced that bushing with the Rock Solid part.

It took me 25,000 miles of driving to figure this out. Also, check that the steering shaft is not inserted to deeply into the top end of the steering shaft coupling. If it is in too far, the end of the steering shaft will contact the u-joint as the shaft rotates.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...D)-Modification-after-25-000-miles-of-driving

- John

 

[whitexc]

Since you have a Borgeson steering shaft that has a notchy feel to it, please take the time to read the link at the bottom of the post..

The tension spring in the slip yoke of the Borgeson steering shaft was the cause of my "notchy" steering, not the lower column bushing, even though I had replaced that bushing with the Rock Solid part.

It took me 25,000 miles of driving to figure this out. Also, check that the steering shaft is not inserted to deeply into the top end of the steering shaft coupling. If it is in too far, the end of the steering shaft will contact the u-joint as the shaft rotates.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...D)-Modification-after-25-000-miles-of-driving

- John

Great find. Thanks for the heads up. I am headed out now to take a look at things, grease the entire truck and rotate tires. I may not take the shaft out today as I don't have the new bushing for the column yet but I will follow up with results when I do.

 

[petersonj]

I just wanted to add that I have driven the truck over 45,000 miles since the tension spring was removed and the steering is still just as smooth as ever.

- John

 

[whitexc]

Nice, I looked today and the shaft is not too far onto the column so the u joint hitting there isn't my issue. I went through and checked everything and greased all zirks. I will have the shaft out hopefully this week for the column bushing and will definitely be taking it apart per your post. Thanks again John.

 

[RHulette]

Did the install 2 years ago. This was the last part of the steering upgrade. I put a Redhead steering box and Borgeson shaft too. The bushing takes care of that last bit of slop. I did it on the truck without removing the column. It wasn't very difficult. You can get a zip wheel in there to cut the holding collar. You'll do just fine.