clunking steering column

[RJ2]

I just bought a 97 3500 from the Dodge dealer ,about 2 weeks ago. When they pulled the inservice it never had any work other than a fuel sending unit replaced . The steering wheel has started clunking on turns. I thought I had read something about defective steering columns somewhere on the site, along with hood latches,and the throttle cable. Where would I go to get something I could print out,the dealer will not acknowledge any recall or retrofit needed of anything.

If this is not the case has anyone got any info on what I should be looking at or replacing . It is a very uncomfortable feeling when you go around a corner and the steering wheel clanks. Gee whiz , only a few days ago I was worried about the KDP.

 

[grtescpa]

Originally posted by RJ2

I just bought a 97 3500 from the Dodge dealer ,about 2 weeks ago. When they pulled the inservice it never had any work other than a fuel sending unit replaced . The steering wheel has started clunking on turns. I thought I had read something about defective steering columns somewhere on the site, along with hood latches,and the throttle cable. Where would I go to get something I could print out,the dealer will not acknowledge any recall or retrofit needed of anything.

If this is not the case has anyone got any info on what I should be looking at or replacing . It is a very uncomfortable feeling when you go around a corner and the steering wheel clanks. Gee whiz , only a few days ago I was worried about the KDP.

My 1997 had the same problem. The steering columb is a sealed one piece unit. Mine had been replaced 2 times under warranty. Its starting to make noise again. The columb is a piece of junk and Dodge knows it but will not acknoledge it. Just like the dowl pin problem in the diesel engine. My warranty is almost expired. Going to have the columb replaced for the 3rd time. After this I hope some member finds a good after market replacement and lets us all know about it. My truck is an automatic. Problems with the shift occur in the columb. try pulling the shift from neutral to reverse with out pulling back. If it drops into gear your columb should be replaced. good luck.

Bill from PA

 

[mikepvg]

My 94 does the same thing & has been in to the Dodge dealer for the free recall "fix". This fix will not correct the clunking but will make it "safer" & Dodge does in fact offer a recall on it.



There is a high quality after mkt steering shaft advertised in the TDR. Forget the name...



Can not give you any of the links available here due to the server problem. I had a lot of great links catagorized & lost them all when they upgraded software. When the server problem is corrected, one will be able to do a proper search for such info & reorganize.



#1 problem of computer users: not backingup & documenting the important stuff.



Mike

 

[Extreme1]

Just a thought...

Could it be in the front end?



Things to check:

• Steering Box (the output shaft gets loose)
  
• Ball Joints (lower more than upper)
  
• Front Axle U-Joints (just saw this on another post)
  
• Tie Rods
  
• Track Bar (end on frame gets loose, check with motor running, nut behind wheel moving wheel back and forth, feel for play)
  

Hope this helps!

 

[RJ2]

borgeson steering shaft

Hi, thanks for the info. Is there anywhere I can get the recall items from dodge or cummins listed. I believe I need something in writing for the dodge dealer to respond.

I found the Borgeson steering shaft on the links page. It looks like a nice shaft. Has anyone got input on this item? I can grab my shaft and get it to make a clunking noise by wiggling it . If I can not find anything down lower that could be the culprit. What exactly is the trackbar?

 

[grtescpa]

Re: borgeson steering shaft

Originally posted by RJ2

Hi, thanks for the info. Is there anywhere I can get the recall items from dodge or cummins listed. I believe I need something in writing for the dodge dealer to respond.

I found the Borgeson steering shaft on the links page. It looks like a nice shaft. Has anyone got input on this item? I can grab my shaft and get it to make a clunking noise by wiggling it . If I can not find anything down lower that could be the culprit. What exactly is the trackbar?

The trackbar looks like an anti sway bar. Its that fat bar which is attached to the axle and looks like a tie rod. The bushings go bad on the ends and cause a clunk noise on turns and bumps. It feels like someone hitting the floor with a hammer. Had mine replaced at 20k

 

[RJ2]

intermediate shaft

Dodge ordered an intermediate shaft for installing next week. I hope this solves the problem.

 

[F Simkowski (In Memory)]

Moving to the 2nd Gen. Ram Forum

 

[SMorneau]

My column clunked intermittently where the shaft exited the lower end just inside the firewall. I replaced the lower bearing with a homemade Delrin assembly. This was the last thing I addressed other than the trackbar it made the most difference for the least money.



I spent a lot of money and time chasing the clunks (plural) and

IMO,



Clunks felt in the column are probably not from components on the other side of the steering gear. Have someone rap your pitman arm with a big hammer and see if you can feel it.



The intermediate steering column that came in my 96 is not as nice as a flaming River but I am not convinced its not up to the task. You will feel this clunk in the column. Pumping grease into the sliding joint will make it go away for acceptable periods of time. I also have to do this with my Flaming River shaft.



Clunks are also produced by working the clutch and brake pedals. They are irritating and can be felt in both the floor and column. I am not flexible enough to want to tackle a pedal job.



Trackbars produce a pronounced thump on the floor that will probably telegraph to the column as well. This is easy to check and probably in need of repair.



I cannot feel the sloppy steering box shaft in the column but it makes a real clunk when I lay under the truck while the wheel is being turned. I replaced my steering gear, before the poor steering box design was common knowledge, and flushed a lot of money down the drain for nothing.



Hope this helps.

 

[Dieselnerd]

RJ2, I noticed in your signature you have a 2WD. Forget what you were told about track bars, they are on 4x4's

 

[RJ2]

steering shaft

I had the shaft replaced at dodge. Took care of the problem,but if I grab the shaft the slip joint will wiggle. Proably is a good idea to fill with grease. I am wondering if the Borgenson is a better way to go next time, and in addition is it any better than the flaming river shaft? Thanks RJ

 

[Big_Bad_Dually]

Steering wheel shaft rusted

When i bought my pickup with 30x,xxx miles on it, my steering column would do this. When i got it home i took off the shaft that connects the steering wheel from the firewall to the gear box off.



What I found was that the slipping part of the shaft didn't slip anymore. I hammered the crap out of it while it was in the vice and finally got it apart. Lots of rusty water came out. I took the shaft to the wire wheel until it was clean of rust then packed it full of axle grease to keep it from rusting and also to keep water out.



The clunk is now gone. I spray John Deere multipurpose oil (like WD-40) down the shaft every time I open the hood just incase.



Brian