Sloppy steering

[AllGoodHaywood]

Anyone get the sensation that the steering is a little sloppy? I have at least 3/4 of an inch of play on the HWY. Any way to tighten things up? It's not horrid, I am just the kind of guy who likes em tight as opposed to loose. Please chime in here, it's an 05' with less than 7K. See my sig for the rest.

 

[Pawpaw]

Your sig doesn't say if your truck is 4x2 or 4x4.



My 4x2's steering is as tight as a sports car with 56,000 on the clock.



Bob

 

[AllGoodHaywood]

4X4, does it matter?

 

[Pawpaw]

It sure does. Not only are the front suspensions completley different, they use different steering systems too. The 3rd Gen 4x2 has rack-and-pinion steering.



Bob

 

[AllGoodHaywood]

So anyone out there have the same problem on an 05' 4x4?

 

[Dieselnerd]

I moved from a 2nd gen 4x4 to an '05. The steering on the '05 is light years ahead of the older truck. It actually seems as tight as the rack and pinion steering on the wife's SUV. The 3rd gens have a different track bar that is much tighter than the older ones. If you really have a lot of slop I suggest taking it in for a check. If this is your first solid front axle 4x4 you may be seeing normal operation, they do feel different than an independent front end.

 

[GECCO]

I've only had mine for a few days, but it seems pretty snug... . I am used to smaller sports car types as my more recent daily drivers so I don't think I am overlooking a problem.

 

[coobie]

Anyone get the sensation that the steering is a little sloppy? I have at least 3/4 of an inch of play on the HWY. Any way to tighten things up? It's not horrid, I am just the kind of guy who likes em tight as opposed to loose. Please chime in here, it's an 05' with less than 7K. See my sig for the rest.

My 2004 started to feel a little light after 30,000 miles. I went to this website www.solidsteel.ca/ and bought there steering stabilizer and a rancho steering stabilizer shock,steering seems tighter now. coobie

 

[doug5cents]

I bought my 05 in nov 04 and it wandered a bit. changed steering stabliser shock /rancho then at 30000 mi. noticed a p/s fluid leak on the top of the stearing box at the shaft nut with copper washer leaking! took it to dodge and they replaced the gearbox with a new one, NO MORE Wandering !! steers great !!! $385. 00 on dodge had to pay for a fluid flush of the pump and cooler $65. 00 not bad!

NICKELL

-- email address removed --



96 2500 SLT 4X4,5STD 315X75X16 4IN EX REG CAB 260,000

052500SLT QUAD CAB 4X4 AUTO RHINO,FENDER FLAIRS,5TH WHEEL AIR LIFT

 

[Prairiedog]

My very early 03 had the same problem due to a steering gear that was set up too loose. Replacing it made it feel like a different rig.

If you get under the truck w/ the eng idling, gently turn the input to the gear back and forth just enough to move the output (pitman arm) shaft. There should be no slop between the two movements because the gear is set up with preload.

Older trucks had a small amount of slop built into them but ours should have none.

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

If you want to see some steering slop, you should drive my '02 it steers like an old school bus, It is the biggest thing that bugs me about the truck, also the ratio is EXTREMLY slow, who ever designed the second gen steering needs to be lynchned. by compariaison my dads 04 4x4 steers like a sports car

 

[coobie]

If you want to see some steering slop, you should drive my '02 it steers like an old school bus, It is the biggest thing that bugs me about the truck, also the ratio is EXTREMLY slow, who ever designed the second gen steering needs to be lynchned. by compariaison my dads 04 4x4 steers like a sports car

I agree,I drove my friends 1998 2500 hauling a backhoe on his trailer,my god I had a handfull just trying to go down the road verses my truck(2004). coobie

 

[RCapehart]

Go to: http://www.pscpowersteer.com/ and get there steering box. This fixed my problem. I also put a DSS on.



Ron

 

[NStates]

Went from a 2001 to an identical 2005. The 2001 never had sloppy steering problem but the 2005 with R&P is as solid as a rock. Tow a very heavy fifth wheel and love the way it handles.



My Truck – 2005 RAM 3500 SLT Quad Cab 4x2 Laramie Sport Bright White 6-Speed HO – Limited Slip - Edge Juice Attitude –PacBrake – 65 gal. Toolbox/fuel tank – Starboards – Pulrite Super 5th – Kenwood TM 261 –Towing ATeton Fifth Wheel

 

[WMoroni]

If the stering is loose its probaly the gearbox. Surely you don't have a loose tie rod end yet but it couldn't hurt to check. If is is an 05 it is probaly still under waranty. I had ths problem on my 03 hemi and my current 05. Dealer replaced the gearbox on the 03 and repaced the entire steering system on the 05 no questions asked. Took it in, they drove it, they fixed it.