Steering Box 05 Ram 3500 diesel

[RMaynard]

I'm sure someone out there has the answer. I seem to have a little bit of steering wander in my 05 Ram 1 ton. Is the steering box on these trucks an adjustable item ?? Also, 2nd question, is the "not in park alarm" something that I can shutoff, and how would I go about it, ??? again, thanx, Roger

 

[cerberusiam]

Yes and no, in that order.

The steering box has an adjuster on the top to take the slack out of the mesh between the pitmam shaft and the rack, its on the top of the box and an absolute joy to get to. The problem arises when you adjust all the play out and you start getting a bind across center, or, the steering will not recenter by itslef. Adjust the box so there is no more up and down play in the pitman arm shaft and test. If you have any stiffness or it won't recenter by itslef form a turn, time for a new steering box.

If you have the out of park alarm that blows the horn and flashes the lights when the drivers door is open, trans in reverse, and no brake applied it cannot be removed or defeated. You just have to live with it and learn to drive around it.

 

[RMaynard]

Thank you for your responce Cerberusiam, I really appreciate it. As far as that steering box goes, like you said, if it's terrible to get at and adjust, I guess I won't be able to do it as I have a blown out shoulder. Thanx, Roger My nephew owns Troncalli Dodge down your way, I believe it's in Suwannee Ga.

 

[cerberusiam]

Yeah, with a bum shoulder that will be a challenge. It takes a contortionist to get to the set screw to adjust and a wobbly and long extension from the top to break the lock nut loose. Its fun for a fat man to do it for sure, with less than flexible parts it would be extremly frustrating.



You can check if it needs done by prying on the pitman arm if you can find a leverage point. If it moves up and down it has slack in the steering and needs adjusted. Suwanee is north of me close to the Mall of Georgia, a place I avoid at all costs. Crazy places up there that take an hour to go 25 miles. :-laf

 

[jelag]

You didn't mention if this truck is a 4x4 or a 2WD... . and the mileage... .

It's more common for these trucks to have ball joint and tie rod end problems, that cause the wonder... . I've had many of these trucks over the past 18 years... when I was in business... there are some issues with the steering gear. . but its more likely the front end parts...

In my 05 dually 4x4 I just finished ball joints and tie rod ends to return my truck to factory standards. . I was concerned about the wear on the front tires... now that this service work has been done... the truck now drives correctly even on some of the rougher (worn) roads...

Just my thoughts...

 

[RMaynard]

Yeah jelag, just did the ball joints again, time # 5 , ouch , I live in the Northeast, the roads suck, and also plow snow , ouch again. Thanx, Roger