Archived clicking/chunking/movement in steering column

[adsharpe]

Have a 2001 quad cab 6-speed 2wd with 25k. Just started noticing the movement in steering column when stopping. It is intermittent and I haven't put it on rack yet. Is this a common thing with Dodge?

Solution?

 

[Steve Campbell]

I assume the truck drives OK...

so the problem is in the steering shaft itself. There have been a number of complaints about the factory shaft and premature wear. At 25,000, the dealership could be a good friend and replace/fix the problem for you.



In that first sentence, I eliminated other loose parts in the steering system.

 

[Sky]

Sounds like a shaft problem. Welcome to the TDR!

 

[fest3er]

Sounds like the steering shaft. You have 4 options:

• ignore it
• replace with OEM
• replace with Borgeson (sp?)
• replace with Flaming River

I have 65K miles on my Flaming River shaft now and it's still about as good as new.

Fest3er

 

[DieselB59]

There was a TSB I read a month or two ago about installing some kind of toe plate at the base of the steering column. It is said to cure a phenomenon of steering clunk felt in the column. Customers complaining of an intermittent column clunk are supposed to get this TSB done. My faith in dealers is very low these days. I have the parts guy from my supplying dealer fax in all the new TSBs as they come out, so that I can inform the customer which TSB to tell the service manager they need to be performed on their truck. It's a real shame that it comes to this. Some of the people don't even want to take theirs in anymore and would rather pay for the service than have it done under warranty.

 

[adsharpe]

Thanks for replies. I solved problem by returning to Powerjoke. It ain't a Cummins but the Trackbar is about 3" in diameter. Front end is massive.

 

[zman]

what's the TSB #?

Funny that this thread just came up. I have noticed the exact same thing over the last several weeks - movement in the steering wheel while stopping & a slight popping feel when going slowly over sharp bumps. Was planning to take it in under warranty before it runs out. Anyone have the TSB #??

 

[RJ2]

Dodge put one on 10K ago and it is bad again. I am going to try and find that TSB on the plate bushing. What is involved in replacing the plastic bushing on the bottom of the column. Replacing it with a homemade Delrin sounded good to me.

 

[Ram-bo]

sorry I'm late on this reply guys, but I had the same problem and my dealer replaced the entire steering column and I haven't had any further problems (approx. 20k miles ago). Good luck, some dealers are better than others. My dealer and I like the same college football team (USC Gamecocks!! --- that's the REAL USC --- not that imposter from the west coast)