2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission steering column slop

[JessePayne]

I am trying to figure out why I have slop in my steering column. When I hit rought pavement at highway speeds the steering column will clunk and I can feel the play in the steering wheel. I put on a borgeson shaft and and new steering box. What could it be. Thanks

 

[ryecreek]

#ad


i did the same with the same issues except i have the lukes link

lets see what they say

 

[Allnew2Me]

Check your track bar and tie-rod ends. Mine were worn out and i got the delayed response steering so many here speak of. I put a Lindstadt link on the bar and modified my tie-rod ends for zerks and rebuilt them and presto, no more play. Have someone turn the wheel while you look under the truck and watch for movement. Just make sure to put it in neutral or park and apply the park brake.

 

[JessePayne]

I have already replaced the tye rod assembly and upgraded it to the t style configuration. I have a dss track bar bracket and adjustable track bar that I put on about 3000 miles ago. this problem seems to be the steering column. Nothing major just annoying after putting all the money into the front end

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Jesse,



I think I have heard of your problem. I think there is a non-serviceable bearing (plastic) in the column somewhere. In other words the best/only fix might be a new column ($$$). Not good.



Try a search to see if someone came up with an easier fix. Someone may have.



If I have time I'll look too.



You are not getting the moan/groan/squak noise when turning the wheel are you? This is more common.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Jesse,



I found this from an older thread:



This drove me nuts for years. Finally I, after many aftermarket steering shaft parts, yanked the column out and found the culprit. It was in the base of the column assembly where the shaft exits the assembly. The problem was the bearing that supports the shaft is a cheesy POS plastic deal that was broken. It is a tapered setup that is supposed to stay preloaded by the spring that you can see in the engine bay at the end of the column. I threw the POS assembly away and replaced it with a homemade bearing block fashioned from a piece of brown delrin.



I drilled a hole to fit the shaft, rough sized the outside with a belt sander and drove in into the metal housing with a hammer and locked it with a sheetmetal screw. It has been clunk free ever since.



As a side note, I had two borgeson shafts in the truck and I thought they were bad. They were not bad. they did make the clunking worse because the sliding joint was so tight it would easily aggravate the busted bearing retainer.





Let me know if this fixes anyones problem. The plastic thing is so lame I can't believe it only broke for me.

 

[JGheen]

This is my exact issue

Does anyone know what the part number or name for this plastic bushing is from the dealer? Mine just started this clunking about a month ago and I know for a fact it is coming from the exit of the steering column out the firewall cuz I can grab the coil spring around the shaft exit and it has that same clunk feel I feel when I drive. It is definately nothing else cuz the Borgeson steering shaft is brand new, just replaced the steering box with a new PSC and everything else is tight around the front suspension and steering. So I have come to the conclusion after reading the above post that HEMIdart found and this is my exact issue I am sure of.

Another thing is my '98 service manual only shows the column assembly for an auto transmission truck so does anyone have a skematic or know where a drawing is for the column with a manual transmission like mine? The one in the service manual looks nothing like mine coming out of the firewall cuz it doesn't show the large coil spring wrapped around the column shaft.

Please help guys, I am through with the stealership and I am determined to get this issue done myself. The dealer is never ever getting a hold of my truck again for a problem after the last visit I had with them... . but that is another long story.



Thanks in advance! Joe

 

[Turbo Thom]

Jesse... ... You canafeelagooda about this trouble. There are others out here in the wilderness with the same problem. Just ain't fixed it yet.



. . Preston. .

 

[vssman]

I believe the steering shafts are the same regardless of transmission type and if it's the plastic bearing I'm thinking of it's assembled when the shaft is made and probably not available as a separate part from the dealer.

 

[JGheen]

I believe the steering shafts are the same regardless of transmission type and if it's the plastic bearing I'm thinking of it's assembled when the shaft is made and probably not available as a separate part from the dealer.

Well that sucks, sounds like I am gonna have to buy the thing as a whole assembly and replace it. And it most likely is probably only available from the stealership. Just another wonderful Chrysler Corp. design... $$$



Joe

 

[1995Dodge...]

Hey Hemi, Any pic's or more info on U'r mod ????

Thnx, Bob

 

[wlowe]

At fifteen thousand miles the dealer replaced my steering column for this problem. I now have 50,000 miles on my truck and the problem is slowly coming back. If you look at the first picture you will see the column where it exits the firewall. On the right side of the picture you will see a larger silver tube with a slightly smaller silver tube inside. Between these two tubes is where most of the slop is on mine.



After studying the situation I believe I may have an inexpensive solution. The problem is it will take someone with some machining skills to try it out.



The second picture is a drawing I made of a shim which could be made of metal or hard plastic and be installed without the removal of the column. The shim would slip between the two tubes then be held in place by the bolt-on lock ring shown in the picture. A zirk fitting could be incorporated to keep it from wearing. This should eliminate most of the play and hopefully the infamous clunk. If anybody with the required skills/equipment wants to give this a try you have my permission to market it if it works.



Good luck

 

[KDoerr]

Good day all I had the same and by me it was the three bolts where the column goes through the fire wall. Re-torque them and try that Good Luck

Keith

 

[wlowe]

Back to the top one more time.

 

[DBazley]

Hi guys, glad to find this thread - my truck is doing the exact same thing - to a T !



After reading the above posts, a question or two:



Nice pictures above, but my 1997 2500 4 by - Manual Trans Ram doesn't look like that - much simpler - the column simply exits the firewall, then 5 or 6 inches later connects to the 'new' Borgeson shaft. Would they be so dissimilar that this wouldn't apply to my truck ?



Has anyone bought a new column assembly to deal with this - if so- how many pounds of flesh at the stealership was it ?



Is it fair to assume that this problem is more of a 'it drives me crazy' problem, but not a safety issue ? My truck has been idled 'cause it was getting louder recently and I feared a possible loss of control.



At least this give me someting to go on - I've done all the typical 4 by front end mods listed here (save the new steering box), the entire front end is "NEW" and all is tight.



Thanks to Hemi for uncovering the issue - I'll do a further search now, too.



BTW, I've done a lot of searches with various terms - and I can tell you this problem is widespread and guys have bought a LOT of totally unnecessary parts dealing with this elusive issue.



I hate to admit this, but I'm sick of my time being wasted fixing the stupid little things like this, things that that make me want to sell my Ram just as soon as Toyota or Nissan get a 'real deal' Turbo Diesel in their trucks..... or consider a 3rd gen if I could be assured that Dodge has gotten things worked out !



This problem needs more research - when I tear into it I'll try to report back - with pics.



Ideas, anyone else ? Take Care, DB

 

[JessePayne]

has anyone ever pulled their steering column. What are the steps and how long does it take. Or am I better off paying someone to do it. Thanks

 

[DBazley]

Steering column help ?

has anyone ever pulled their steering column. What are the steps and how long does it take. Or am I better off paying someone to do it. Thanks

Hey Jesse:



I'm dealing with the same issue as you, as described in my earlier post - I've sent a PM to Hemi and SMorneau asking for some more input. After searching over dozens of threads, I believe our problem is exactly what HEMI described earlier in this thread.



My manual, a Haynes, is silent on the issue of 'steering column replacement' so I am looking for more input.



What boggles the mind, and only is obvious when you search using various terms, is how much $$$$ has been spent by TDR members UNNECESSARILY replacing every front end wear component only to have the problem unresolved !



I did uncover a TSB that seems to describe the same or similar problem, but if the same, they have a different solution. - It does describe the removal of the column as you inquired.



I myself will wait on doing this TSB procedure until hearing more from the other fellows I've PM'd.

Here is the TSB:



http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1997/19-13-97.htm



For what it is worth... ... take care, David B.

 

[JessePayne]

I have a 2001 so I dont know if it will work for my truck

 

[DBazley]

Oops didn't notice your model year. On the other hand, Chyrsler is famous for letting problems go for years on end... . who knows ? Just kidding (hopefully)..... at least check for TSB's for your year at www.DodgeRam.info - you might be surprised.



I just checked, and my toe plate has the same number the TSB said was the problem. Now, I'm at another 'level of confusion' - do I do the TSB repair (new added toe plate) or the one with fabing a 'new' proper bushing, mentioned earlier by HEMI ?



I can easily see the stock toe plate (it's actually the steering column lower bearing plate where the column pierces the firewall) and understand what the Dodge TSB # 19-13-97 outlines.



This plastic bearing / bushing that HEMI and SMorneau have described I cannot see - it must be inside the column assembly hidden from view until disasembled.



I pray were on the verge of a break through here - this elusive problem has cost many of us $$$ trying to find & fix...



Anybody else wonder how many DSS brakets, Boregson steering shafts, Luke's links, tie rod ends, steering boxes, etc, etc, have been purchased because of this silly little problem... .



Come to think of it, finding it has been, speaking metaphorically, like rooting out Tyranny - difficult but rewarding ! Consider the alternative - slavery to endless problems.....



Onward Cummins Soldiers... ...

 

[DBazley]

To answer your question about 'pulling the steering column' here it is:



Steering Column Removal



WARNING: Before servicing the steering column the airbag system must be disarmed. Failure to do so may result in accidental deployment of the airbag and possible personal injury .





Position front wheels straight ahead.

Disconnect the negative (ground) cable from the battery.

Disarm and remove airbag.

Disconnect link rod in engine compartment if equipped with column shift. Pry rod out from grommet in the shift lever.





Scribe or paint reference mark on the column shaft-to-coupler. This will aid in column shaft installation alignment. Remove the steering column shaft-to-coupler bolt.

Remove the dash panel cover under column.



For column shift vehicles, make sure shift lever is in Park position. Pull cable and twist to remove from position arm. Push tab on bottom of cable retainer, then squeeze sides to remove retainer from column.

Remove tilt lever (if equipped) from column.

Remove the upper and lower lock housing shroud and remove the lower fixed shroud.





Remove the turn signal multi-function switch with a 7 mm socket.

Loosen the upper Support Bracket nuts to allow some slack. This will aid in removal of the upper fixed shroud.





Remove electrical connections from Key-in light, Ignition Switch, Horn and Clock Spring (Speed Control).

Remove the wiring harness from the column by prying out the plastic retainer buttons.

Remove lower dash panel and toe plate fasteners.

Remove column from vehicle.

Remove switches, clock spring and key cylinder.





That is the procedure, pasted from the www.AlldataDIY.com page - pictures didnt' come through, too bad.



I just joined - it was only $ 24. 95 for the Ram Truck for a year - gives the entire breakdown & repair for our trucks - I'll save that back first use.



I think the TSB 19-13-97 gives an abbreviated column removal procedure also.



I'm still hoping for some clarification on my earlier questions before tearing into this thing.....



DB