Clicking in my steering column

[SGBARRACUDA]

Awhile back i developed this clicking noise in my steering column. It only does it in one spot which is just left of center. After living with it for a while it is getting worse. It sounds like it is right at the top behind the upper and lower column covers. I plan on taking them off to see what I can see but I figured it just might be something someone else has encountered.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

I forgot to mention this is on a 07 4x4 CTD quad cab with 48re trans.

 

[mpaulson]

Could be the unit that trips the signal light lever. In my case it was the dumb adapter that Borgeson provides with retarded little set screws to hold the steering shaft onto the pump that had gotten loose!!!!!!!
:--)
Not very comforting!!

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Could be the unit that trips the signal light lever. In my case it was the dumb adapter that Borgeson provides with retarded little set screws to hold the steering shaft onto the pump that had gotten loose!!!!!!!
:--)
Not very comforting!!

Are you talking about the coupler where the steering shaft connects to the steering box?

 

[mpaulson]

Are you talking about the coupler where the steering shaft connects to the steering box?

Yes, I am.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Thanks I'll look at that tomorrow. I'm on vacation but that is something I can check without tools.

 

[brods]

Subscribed. Funny this came up now. My wife was complaining of the clicking on a recent trip. It feels like there is a slight bind and the click occurs when it passes the binding spot (if that makes sense). Only happens slightly left of center. This sound the same as yours?

I'll be changing the steering box soon and can see if the clicking is still there with the box disconnected.

 

[Tractorat]

I had a buick (90's, but I forget exactly what year) that was doing the same thing. Driving on the freeway one day, I tried to slightly turn the wheel to go with the curve in the road. Well, much to my surprise, the wheel wouldnt budge. Lucky for me, when I backed off on the turn slightly and really put some muscle into it, I was able to ge past the binding spot and made it home. I took the car to a dealer the next day, and it turned out there was something broken (I forget what) under the steering wheel. At first they weren't going to let me drive it home (to bring it back when I could arrange a ride home from the shop) because it was a dangerous situation. But I prevailed and got it home safely and back to the shop again safely.

Its really impossible to diagnose this stuff for sure on a web site such as this. But if I were you, I would take it in to someone that knows what they are doing and have it looked at. It would be a tragedy if that happened to you, or if you kill someone else.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Thanks, I'm a mechanic and as soon as I get to the house. I'll tear in to it. I'll let you all know what I find.

 

[Bunyan]

It could be the clock spring, which operates cruise and other functions on the wheel. My 01 started clicking and one day made a pop noise and to my suprise it broke. On second gens there was a recall for breaking clock springs. If you lose any functions on the wheel the clock spring has broke.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

It could be the clock spring, which operates cruise and other functions on the wheel. My 01 started clicking and one day made a pop noise and to my suprise it broke. On second gens there was a recall for breaking clock springs. If you lose any functions on the wheel the clock spring has broke.

That had crossed my mind also. I'll check it out tomorrow. I got home today so I'll take a look at it tomorrow. --------Thanks

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Well an update to my problem. While looking under the dash I noticed the primary steering shaft had excessive play where the roll pin goes thru at the joint so I bought a new one, $201. 55. But noise is still there. I really think the noise is in the turn signal switch or clock spring, so I guess that is what I'll try. Will report how well that turns out.

 

[brods]

Wasn’t the turn signal lever on my truck. Without the steering box connected the clicking was gone and the wheel turned smoothly. In retrospect it might not have clicked without the box connected because of my turning the wheel too quickly not allowing whatever it is to catch and load up before popping loose. The clicking was back after the new steering box was installed. It could be felt in the turn signal lever and clock spring housings when resting a finger on them while the clicking occurred. It clicks either side of center. Removing the turn signal lever assembly had no effect on the clicking. Wasn’t really in the mood to disable the air bag to pull off the steering wheel and check the clock spring. It doesn’t appear to be a safety issue and since the truck has been sucking down money like a black hole lately the clicking issue will be put on the low priority list.



Hope you get yours figured out SGBARRACUDA. Keep us posted.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

I tried to "feel" the clicking with my finger resting on the turn signal switch and the clock spring housing but I couldn't detect it coming from either? I don't know I'll let you know when I try the clock spring and switch. When i had the primary shaft off, I could still hear the click but it's weird, it only does it every now and then. But it is pretty regular. Sorry to hear about all the money your truck is costing. I can't complain I have 135K on mine now and it really hasn't cost me much in the way of parts/money.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Well here is kind of an update. I never got around to taking it apart. I figured sooner or later something would break and I would find out what it was. Well to my surprise, it has never broke and the damn thing still makes the same noise! It has just now got on my last nerve and I need to get to fixing the problem. I had forgot about posting this thread almost 3 years ago! man getting old sucks!! So here i am asking you all for your help. Any idea what in the world is causing this? I now have 209,000 miles on my truck and It has given me 8 years of great service. I just need to fix the irritating noise!

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

In doing a search here to see if others have had the same problem, I found I'm not alone and that several others have the same problem. What I find hard to believe, is that no one has seem to have found out the cause?

 

[analog]

Mine does this too. I took the airbag and steering wheel off and tried to have a look around. Interestingly, it didn't make the noise when I had everything apart. This was a few years ago, and I, like you, thought something would break eventually. Still nothing broken, but still the annoying click. I just keep living with it.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Mine does this too. I took the airbag and steering wheel off and tried to have a look around. Interestingly, it didn't make the noise when I had everything apart. This was a few years ago, and I, like you, thought something would break eventually. Still nothing broken, but still the annoying click. I just keep living with it.

I just finished a trip through the Smokey's and all that left and right turning of the steering wheel and resulting clicking/popping has drove me up the wall. As soon as i get back home I'm going to get to the bottom of this crap. It is hard to believe that so many Ram owners have this same problem and yet I can't find a thread saying they figured it out. This constant noise makes me want to take a claw hammer to this steering column!

 

[cumminbighorn06]

I've gone through new intermediate shaft, and a new steering box, along with the 08.5 mopar steering upgrade and still the F^*^*^ing clicking in the steering column. Keep us updated as to what you find!! I certainly will keep searching till I fond the problem!

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

I've gone through new intermediate shaft, and a new steering box, along with the 08.5 mopar steering upgrade and still the F^*^*^ing clicking in the steering column. Keep us updated as to what you find!! I certainly will keep searching till I fond the problem!

Well I'm sorry to say I haven't tore into my column yet, but I plan on it soon. Funny how so many seen to have the same problem but no one has solved the mystery!