Frame to steeing re-inforcement

[jdross440]

I heard a popping from front end on my 92 W250 when turning the steering wheel back and forth (mostly while stopped). I thought OH NO a bad ball joint. After getting my wife to turn the wheel while I looked around, I found the re-inforcement plate between the power steering gear box and frame had cracked (with only 181,000 miles) all the way across and was flexing causing the pop. Luckily the frame hadn't cracked. Believe it or not Dodge still stocks them at a whopping $16. 50 for a large piece of stamped steel. I didn't think anything except maybe an oil filter was that cheap at Dodge.

Has anyone else had this cracking problem?

 

[Philip]

This is a very common problem with the W series of Dodges. The D series does not use the plate. Just the W's.



It also seems to come on faster with oversize tires.