2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering Column at firewall clunk/noise?

[Doughboy21kd]

I have noticed a clunk or some sort of noise coming from the front under the hood sounds somewhat close to the firewall. I have had the tie rod ends, track bar, upper and lower ball joints, and steering stabilizer checked out and all are GOOD. .



I have been reading some posts on a couple different forums including this one and have been looking a little harder at the steering column shaft at the firewall. I did notice when i grab the steering shaft at the base of the firewall where the spring looking thing is there is a little up and down, side to side movement like there is some play there.



Is there suppose to be any play there what so ever? I have read a couple threads where people have removed the spring and couple other items in there and replaced with a nylon bushing of some sort and its tightened it up.



Should there be any movement up and down there or should it be pretty solid and stout there? I would guess with there being a little movement there it would magnify the noise maybe?



What are your opinions on this... This noise/clunk sound is bugging me. Like i said i only hear it on bumpy roads

 

[kenny61]

sounds like that bushing thing in other post the noise and feel will be brought on more if other front end components are loose

 

[HookMeUp]

This looks like a good fix. Perma Sheild Products

 

[rotohead]

There is a kit to replace the cheap ball bearing unit with a poly type bushing. I've done the replacement and it isn't very difficult. Take a cutting wheel to the spring. If you have all wheel anti-brake it's a pain with all the lines. Mine's going on a yr with no problems and no clunk, more solid feel through the steering column. Just one of many steering upgrades that are needing with these trucks. Do a search for 'steering column bushing' or something similar.

 

[rotohead]

This looks like a good fix. Perma Sheild Products

Yeah, that's the kit I used.

 

[Doughboy21kd]

So is that what you think the problem may be?



There is no feel that i know of. What it sounds like though is something that might be slapping against something. If the road is smooth it wont do it. But when rough you can hear it faintly. Its not very loud, in order to hear it you have to have the radio off and nothing on except the motor running.



I dont know what it is yet, but like i said there is some up and down movement of the shaft coming out of the firewall like there's play in it. Kinda like a bearing is wore out or something.



Is there suppose to be any give there or should it be pretty solid feeling?



THANKS for what info i have received so far.



Is this seem to be a common problem on these years of trucks?

 

[Doughboy21kd]

I ordered one of these.



'Rock Solid' Ram Truck Steering !



Now question is how long does it take to install and can a semi-mechanically inclined person do this and can it be done on the truck?



THANKS

 

[AHuska]

I just ordered mine last week, so I can't speak from experience, but from what I read around here the answer to the first question is "a couple hours max" and the last two questions are "yes, but being flexible helps. "

 

[Davcruz]

It can be done on the truck, it helps to use a Dremel with a decent cutting wheel to cut off the old spring retainer. The job will be exponentially more difficult if you have 4 wheel ABS.

Something to remember, the column is fragile and you should not go to beating the bushing in hard with a big hammer, subtly is your friend.

 

[Doughboy21kd]

4 wheel ABS meaning Disc all around? Are the directions pretty detailed?

Are there any tips or tricks anyone else may have that might make this easier to do without me screwing it up?



THANKS

 

[Davcruz]

4 wheel anti-lock brakes, if you have this there is a bunch of brake line plumbing in the way of the column under the hood, makes it hard to get your hands down there to work on the end of the column.

The directions are good, but they detail the repair from the approach of removing the entire steering column from the cab of the truck.

 

[rotohead]

I'm in a wheelchair, my truck has 4 wheel abs and I did this kit w/o removing the column. It's very tight but can be done. I didn't bother to cut the retaining washer with a cut off wheel. I DID cut the spring itself, above the washer and then the whole thing comes apart. Installing the new reataining washer (tapping it on to the steering shaft) is probably the most difficult. No room to tap it in. As mentioned above you don't want to beat on the new washer real hard esp if you have a automatic. You might damage the shifting mechanism. The bushing itself slides on the shaft but in some installs might be alittle tight fit. You can take a emery cloth and sand inside dia to get it to seat properly. For the price it's a worthwhile improvement.
Chuck

 

[DBazley]

Hi Guys:



David here. We make the Ram Steering Fix, 'Rock Solid' Ram Truck Steering !.



Good to hear the discussion. From what Doughboy21kd describes, I think our kit will be helpful.



I just renewed my TDR subscirption, so I can interact here, if needed.



Thanks to those of you who got the kit - glad to hear it worked fine for you. DavCruz - how are you.



We met on Dodgetalk.com didn't we ? You a member here now ? Or am I mistaken ?



Thanks !

 

[FLynes]

4 wheel ABS meaning Disc all around?...

Not necessarily. My truck is an early '01 and has rear drums but has 4-wheel ABS.

 

[Cummins Thunder]

Have have the same clunk in my 3500 but it sounds more like two pieces of metal beating together. I am sure we are hearing the same problem, mine is just further along.

My 2500 is making a slight clunking noise from the column when turning the wheel. What do yall think about that?

 

[diesel974x4]

You guys are putting some good info up here. This is such a good resource! I have the same thing, but when the truck is off, I can grab the shaft and it seems all the play is in the gear box. I have replaced the original, with one from O'reilly's. I know. . I replaced it again a year later. I'm looking for a good quality box. Slightly oversized tires is all I have. Anybody heard of AGR performance? I looked at their website and they have one for about $422. The website is Welcome to AGR Perfomance, Inc. It seems like good quality. The other thing, I have not replaced the original steering shaft. Will this bearing solve my problems and I won't have to get a shaft? I you think I still need one, I thought Borgeson had a good one, but I read some negative stuff about it. Then I heard something about Flaming River. How do I sort it out?!?!?! Thanks, Bryan

 

[Cummins Thunder]

I ordered one yesterday for my dually. I guess we will see how well this thing works.

 

[DBazley]

Hi guys:



Bryan, can't say on the box. Mine is totally stock-(knocks on wood) hope it never goes out.



My take and experience on the Borgeson is that they are too precision for use on our trucks. Sound funny ? Hear me out. My Borgeson shaft was on my Ram 97 4x4 - the one we engineered our Ram Steering Fix on, and after a year or so, the grease boot cracked & dirt entered the sliding joint and it bound up fast - immovable.



Problem is, their tolerances are so very tight, that it makes it impracticable for use on rigs that see dirt roads, etc. Even normal road dirt, over some years, might do the same.



I went to Dodge parts & inspected a new replacement intermediate shaft - it was perfectly acceptible for half the cost of the Borgeson. It had a slight bit more tolerance, but that would make it work fine even when dust or dirt effect it. So, that's where I'm at on the shaft recommendation.



Our instructions with the kit are complete & advise you check it for both smoothness of operation - does it glide up & down OK and also is roational play acceptable.



They can wear out, and it's a bit of a judgement call. If you grab it and it twists a bit in the lower half, it's probably worn. I'd guage how much it twists, then go examine the new one at Dodge parts - so you can judge it against a new one.



Cummins Thunder - thanks for the order. I suspect you'll enjoy what it does for you & your Ram.



You got a Zuk also, eh ? Mine is an '86 Samurai - 31's, GRS II transfer case, Hardtop & modified stock engine. Fun little toss around - when I'm in a small rig mood !



Take Care,



David B.

'Rock Solid' Ram Truck Steering !

 

[diesel974x4]

Dave and Cummins Thunder, Thank you for your input. Dave, I have to wait a while for the next paycheck, but I will order your product. I love driving my truck, but the steering sucks! Does anybody know about the Luke's link also? About 3 years ago I replaced my ball joints, tie rods, and track bar. Steering got better. All that stuff didn't go out all at once, it just did when a friend and I tried to climb up a hill to the highway... . only to find there was a guardrail at the top!! That's why I replaced the box in the first place. The truck has 246,000 miles and I have not replaced the trailing arms. I've been thinking about taking it in to get the frame checked for straightness and then work on the steering. Thanks again guys, Bryan

 

[DBazley]

Good deal.



I like Luke's Link - it did a great economical job rebuilding my trackbar. Highly recommend them. Serviceable, greaseable - it does for our trackbar what our kit does for the steering column, in my opinion.



I think you can even use them for the steering linkage knuckle joints - mine are still good but I'll try to use Lukes Links to rebuild them if necessary in the future.



David B.

'Rock Solid' Ram Truck Steering !