Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Loose stearing

[Mudinchev]

Just a quick question that I think I know the answer to... ... The steering wheel has quite a bit of slop in it, all the joints seem good and it seems to be coming from the gear box, if this is the same as the older ones (it looks like it) tightening the adjustment screw to take some of the lash out of the gear should take up the slop... ... Right? I guess the question I have is how it got there in the First place? I only have 28,000 on the truck, and it drives like an old 65 Ford with a school bus steering wheel. All the dealers I have seen says its normal but I don't think so.

 

[Fireman Dave]

It's normal, it's normal, it's normal... . uh huh. I had steering wander and a lot of slop from day one. I was constantly moving the wheel back and forth like a saw to keep it going down the road straight. It ended up needing a new track bar and a new steering box to get it to steer right. That was before I hit 4,000 miles. Don't accept the "it's normal" routine. Good luck.

 

[Puffin Smoke]

I would definatley pay attention to the track bar. I went through 2 gear boxes and 2 dodge track bars plus other steering parts. Bought a lukes link and i trashed it. Now I got a DT track bar and im happy ass hell!

 

[jkern]

take a look at my post a few days ago. sometimes the output shaft on the steering box is the culprit.



http://216.235.147.117/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59901

 

[Mudinchev]

Just before I lifted the truck most of the steering tie rods and ends got replaced including the track bar I am expecting the track bar not to last very long buts its less than a month old, when I took the drag link off of the pitman arm I could feel play in the gear box so I am sure thats where it is coming from, but it was play in the gear, side play in the shaft seemed ok but still not convinced there isn't any. Any one know where to get a rebuild kit for it? I can only find up to 98 (so far). Or if not a kit some where to buy parts if I have to piece a kit together? (if adjusting it doesn't work)

 

[jrobinson2]

Link to the steering box adjustment TSB http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1997/19-10-97.htm

Says it applies through 2001 models.



Jared

 

[rogerblind]

I'm on my third 2500. All had crappy steering from the dealer. I adjusted the over-center screw on all three and the problem went away in all of them.