2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Can you tighten the steering box?

[scuby22]

My steering box is loose and I wanted to know if you can tighten it. Or is replacement the only option?

 

[rwhitney]

I'm not sure about the steering box, but are you sure it is not the linkage? You may want to crawl under the truck and have someone move the steerting wheel side to side while you look. I was surprised to see how much my track bar was moving.

 

[jrobinson2]

scuby22, Welcome to the TDR

Yes you can adjust the steering box, the procedure is described here http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1997/19-10-97.htm

if the lower bearing is loose the DSS will also help quite a bit http://www.solidsteel.ca/

the track bar is also a common problem the procedure to check it is here http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1996/02-06-96.htm

Jared

 

[SMorneau]

If the pitman arm shaft moves back and forth when the wheels are turned you need a DSS.

 

[bmoeller]

I've made both adjustments on my box, with little to show for it. I can still move my steering wheel a ways before it moves anything in the box. It is tighter, but not by much. The play is on the input side, not output of the steering box.

 

[SEmerson]

I adjusted mine and it did alot. But I set it as tight as I could and still turn it without binding.

 

[paulsmith]

My 96 3500 2wd.....

Steering wheel turns about 6" (measured at rim) before pitman arm moves. I can see steering box input shaft turning (connected to steering wheel) so steering shaft is good, but the pitman arm dosent move if you move input shaft back and forth. Which adjustment to tighten that up that condition?

Paul Smith

 

[SEmerson]

Originally posted by paulsmith

My 96 3500 2wd.....

Steering wheel turns about 6" (measured at rim) before pitman arm moves. I can see steering box input shaft turning (connected to steering wheel) so steering shaft is good, but the pitman arm dosent move if you move input shaft back and forth. Which adjustment to tighten that up that condition?

Paul Smith

You need to do both. But the one that will help the most is the one with the big lock nut collar. You will need to take out the box to do that one.